I’ll just let the video speak for its self.
(Hat tip to YouTubber thrufaithalone.)
Once upon a time, I thought G. Craige Lewis was OK. Then I learned more about his doctrine, started learning more about him and became concerned. All things noted and discussed in detail already. But on YouTube I felt those going after saints’ accounts were the type of people G. Craige was against. Well it appears in my opinion, that G. Craige is about leveraging the laws of man to ensure video sales, more than seeing the truth spread.
This is why once I started blogging more about church matters, I updated my blog’s copyright statement. So nobody would fear making a copy of material here related to church matters and I figure a Christian making a copy would cite their sources. I primarily like this blog to be cited as the source of something copied from here, so that I can explain or defend if someone has questions.
While I have major doctrinal issues with G. Craige Lewis, I felt he would not be uptight about people posting clips of his videos on YouTube. It gives him positive promotion and beyond that in some cases it helped spread some truth. Given my issues on some things of course I can’t say I agree with every statement from his mouth, but I felt many YouTubbers were selecting clips that expressed truth. I can’t say I know what video clip YouTubber BlazingSky2006 was using and I don’t know anything else about her or what she was doing on YouTube, but it’s pretty sad she lost her account over someone she was trying to promote.
So Christians being attacked on YouTube continues and Ex Ministries is playing a role in that.
1 Corinthians 6:1-8 (New American Standard Bible)
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I’ve heard G. Craige Lewis claim he has to sell videos to feed his family. Well he is the pastor at a church. If he has need, his assembly should handle with that, if he’s being a good elder, 1 Timothy 5:17-18. Instead he’s engaging in the worst of what comes with peddling. By using laws of man against Christians.
2 Corinthians 2:17 (New American Standard Bible)
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If he wants to work of his own hands to supply his needs, he could always consider taking up something that does not involve peddling what he claims to be gospel. Like tent making, Acts 18:1-4.
There once were several of G. Craige Lewis’ videos easily findable on YouTube. Hard to find any now. After he went after some, there are some YouTubbers that feel YouTube did the rest automatically based on the file attributes of matching videos. I suspect if G. Craige Lewis had simply asked people using his videos to remove them that they would have voluntarily. It seems a YouTube message to the person he felt offended by would have sufficed.
I’ve seen more than one video of someone saying a YouTube account was shut down for having an Ex Ministries video on their account. I can’t say every video I’ve seen in that regard displays good temperament, so I can only post the one that is above. It seems some weak in the faith are not helped by what is happening at the hands of someone they felt good about.
People say they’ve tried to reach G. Craige Lewis about this issue and not received any response.
While it probably does not make him much money, it’s apparent G. Craige Lewis is peddling and acting as the ungodly do about it. So it’s like I’ve gone from once feeling G. Criage Lewis was OK, to having major doctrinal issues with him, to now having even more concerns about him. I had no plans to purchase his material, but I never advised anyone else to consider not giving him a dime. Now I’m thinking saints should avoid him, totally. I’ve never made a full post here that was only dedicated to warning about him, consider this the first.
I considered contacting Ex Ministries for comment. But when I went to their contact page, I decided not to. Primarily, all the page is about is booking him for a speaking engagement. Which of course he’ll want money for. And at the bottom of the page in small print it says the following:
For questions, please consult the arguments sections of our site.
We do not address rumors, personal issues, or personal attacks on G. Craige Lewis or EX Ministries, nor do we allow slanderous blogs, comments, or personal attacks on others on this site. We fight the devil at EX Ministries, not people. Ephesians 6:12
(I made the scripture noted into a hyperlink.)
His response to people that ask why he does not allow comments is interesting. I take it that is also why he does not allow comments on his blog. It seems he feels everything he does under the Ex Ministries banner is God inspired. And he makes it clear he’s not responding to phone or e-mail contact here. The only contact e-mail on his web site is for bookings, I’m not sure where any other e-mail address anyone else might have for him came from. They’re not getting responses and he’s said he would not be responding to phone and e-mails sent to him. But he does have time if you have the money to book him for a speaking engagement!
So I figure that he’s made it obvious I need not bother trying to reach him.
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April 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 am
(In response to Trayjay’s comment in another thread.)
Trayjay,
The comparison and contrast is that Lewis is a raw peddler and Pastor Guest is not.
You’re not lining up well with 2 Corinthians 2:17, but making excuses for a man who is so clearly involved in peddling he leaves no room for mistaking it for anything else.
Pastor Guest has support of saints via the church he pastors. Lewis is NOT a pastor and is simply a man who has devised his own ministry. Not that starting a ministry is a bad thing, but instead of Lewis seeking for that ministry to have started and continue based on people giving to him, he’s doing it based off peddling and set speaking fees. He’s not a pastor on a salary from a church, but rather a man taking in every dime he can get from continual resale of things he said years ago. And even if someone shares the material freely, he turns to the laws of man to rebuke them.
What about standing on the godly side Trayjay? What about the following:
Matthew 10:8 (New American Standard Bible)
Lewis will tell you his stuff is sending demons a plenty on the run. But he’s setting a fee. Again you’re having trouble meeting scripture. Anyone freely sharing the THE GOSPEL has no issues in the eyes of God because they FREELY GAVE. So if Lewis must use copyright laws, his material is something other than the gospel.
Don’t do it at too big of a venue, or Lewis will go after you too. What is YouTube other than a means to show a video to as many people as one can?
Whatever play you exercise copyright authority over via legal means to the point of preventing anyone from sharing it IS NOT a work done for the sake of the gospel, but your own desire for personal income. If you’ve got something you’re doing that you’re not trying to claim is about spreading the message of Jesus fine, but don’t claim you’re acting on a mission to share a message from God when you exert efforts to stifle it being shared freely.
What word of prophesy did God ever desire to be held behind a fixed fee?
Please take a look at the post above and see what God says about you using man’s laws against a fellow saint.
Hours of research done years ago, but how many hours did the prophets in scripture work? How many hours did the apostles work? How many hours did the many other disciples work? Did any of them resell material? Any of them Trayjay? Any single one of them? Anybody in scripture working to offer a message for the people of God, did a single one put a price tag on anything at all? In all 66 books, did a single one? Which letter in our Bible was not given to the intended audience until they paid a fee to receive it? But Lewis claims his words are the Word of God. We’re not talking about someone that is an elder getting a salary raised via donations given by people who gave as they felt led to give, but rather a person who has a set fee on something he’s claiming to be a work of “ministry”. Now it would not be so bad if AT LEAST he would not take his outside of scripture peddling to the point that he’s using laws of man against anyone that might share a mintute or two of the material on YouTube.
And how throughout scripture is that done Trayjay?
It’s raw peddling, peddling in the Lord’s name and spoken clearly against in 2 Corinthians 2:17. If fact, I dare you to review that verse in the original Greek and the terms used for translating it.
It’s likely I’ll bring him up again. He’s a prime example of a peddler.
The issue is that you are using man’s law as your measure of “fairness” rather than the message of Christ that we share freely and any money raised come from freely given donations. If Lewis wants a salary, it should be paid via freely given donations, not fixed fees. If he wants to make $100K a year, OK, accept FREELY GIVEN donations during a year till his salary is met, but fees to share a message, fees to deliver a message, it’s peddling.
Now Trayjay, I don’t speak against Lewis in this regard of peddling because of any doctrinal view I might disagree with him on. Please see this video that BlackCalvinist posted to YouTube yesterday and my response and admonishment yesterday there against the peddling of what is Reformed doctrinal material. Now if you can show me where a group like Ligonier Ministries is knocking out YouTube accounts for sharing their videos I’ll make a post about them also. But I see RC Sproul’s stuff all over video sharing sites and nobody has lost an account for it.
I’ve even had to change my blog’s copyright notice, to ensure that people know anything related to the gospel of the Lord Jesus on this blog can be freely shared. That’s freely shared, there are exceptions in the updated notice related to people trying to use material here for a fee.
If someone wants to do a full time ministry of their own, their salary should come from freely given donations, not fixed fees for words they claim to be gospel. There is a big difference between a laborer getting wages and peddling. We only have the example across the entire Bible.
If someone wants to share the gospel, they have to do it in a godly manner, or it’s not sharing the gospel, it’s serving your own belly.
Have you not seen me debating saints on Melvin’s blog about John Macarthur doing so much peddling on his ministry web site? But he allows the material to be shared on video sharing sites with no complaint. And Macarthur gives a whole lot away on other ministry sites, still I take issue with his peddling and his placing his name on the Word of God with things like the “Macarthur Study Bible”. His name in big letters
.
Still NOBODY is taking it to the level of Lewis in shutting down accounts and crying to YouTube when somebody shares a few minutes of one of his videos.
And here’s a news flash, sharing a few minutes of one of Lewis’ videos IS NOT ILLEGAL. Have you ever heard of Fair Use guidelines? Sharing a few minutes of something that is an hour or hours in length, for non-profit educational purposes IS LEGAL.
So Trayjay, ITS NOT THE YOUTUBBERS THAT ARE BREAKING THE LAW, LEWIS IS. Problem is that the YouTubbers don’t have the resources to hire lawyers to stand against Lewis.
Ask Lewis for permission? People have tried, nobody can get near the man’s ear unless they are trying to pay him to book him for lecture. The mentioned YouTubber who lost her account, I’ve talked with her a number of times. She’s tried VERY HARD to reach Lewis and tried VERY HARD to seek out means to request permission and never could reach anyone. She shares gospel freely, SHE’S LIVING OUT OF HER TRUCK, I KID YOU NOT. But she’s not trying to make merchandise of God’s word.
This blog involves a bit of time and research on my part. How much did I charge you for it? It’s only got 1,759 posts to date and that does not include any contributions I’ve made in comments.
dazzarai is freely giving. InYourBible.com freely gives and simply request donations for support.
Once the salary is funded off the sale of merchandise, it’s peddling.
I don’t care if secular investigative reporters make videos for a fee and claim they spent X hours and effort to make the video, we’re contending for the faith. Or so we claim.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I.C., you make some very good and valid points, and no, I would not pull them off as long as the information is given for free. I still feel like there is a little bit of raw animosity with you regarding G. But it’s okay.
Please don’t think I’m being a donkey. I was just wondering.
Be blessed.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
If there is any raw animosity in me towards him or anyone else I pray the Lord help me see it and repent of it.
A fee to cover initial cost of production I don’t complain about, but I’ve found few who only charge for the sake of simply covering production costs. And these days things can be placed online in text format for cheap, so I don’t see why anyone can’t make their material freely available if they really desired. Videos and audio can be uploaded to Usenet free of charge. (I figure if YouTube and all over video sites make it hard for Christians, Usenet might have to be leveraged.)
And while I don’t like fees when people seek to profit, I usually don’t make full posts here on this blog about that. I will complain in comments at various places including here about that sort of thing. I know I’m in the minority in my view of that, but I’ve explained why I hold my view.
When someone has fees and they start using the law against saints, that’s when I can’t hold back any longer.
I’m just glad nobody responded trying to say “well if Jay-Z can have a fee why can’t a minister”
. (Still too many saints use the world’s example instead of the Word when they consider what is done in ministry.)
I’m all for pastors having a salary if they feel they need it, 1 Timothy 5:18. I’m just against methods being used outside of donations to fund that salary. Since I can’t justify with scripture anything but the donation method to meet a needed salary level. And honestly, I’m OK with some salary ranges for pastors that might exceed what some other saints might find acceptable. (Like some feel $100K is too much for a pastor, I’ve got no problem with it.) We all agree that does not justify what the pimps are doing at all.
October 31st, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I have watched some of your videos on utube and this is the 1st time for me visiting your blog, and I like 99.99% of your views. But I must say, I totally disagree when it comes to G. Craig Lewis and ex ministries. This man has been used greatly by God in my life to teach me in simplicity how to live holy unto the Lord in every area of my life.God has used him to open my eyes to the heresies going on in the church and the music industry and I am most grateful for that. I am sorry about people losing their channels on utube, but keep in mind thier are 2 sides to every story. Need more proof that Elder Lewis is changing lives through Jesus Christ? Check out the testiomials at his website. Contact the former singer of ColorMeBadd (Kevin) that walked out on a multi-million dollar deal because he heard a message by Elder Lewis, (later 42 demons were cast out of him by Elder Lewis glory 2 God) their are videos of Kevin preaching on utube. Again, I respect your work Independent Conservative, but you have it all wrong about Elder Lewis. We need more men of God like you and Elder Lewis to uncompromisingly preach the Word of God in this last and evil day, please prayfully reconsider your views of Ex Ministries, it has changed my life for the better.
IndependentConservative reply on October 31st, 2008 at 4:22 pm :
Your claim is like someone coming to me and saying I should not warn about Benny Hinn because they had an “experience” that they feel leads them to seek Benny as a man of God. Now I’m not saying Lewis is on par with Hinn, but I am saying, you’re defending Lewis with claims of casting out things, instead of actually seeing how Lewis’ doctrine stands against scripture. Saying somebody changed from hearing a man’s words or had something cast out is not proof enough given Matthew 7:22-23 explains how some Jesus will turn away will have done such things in the Lord’s name. And I’m not saying Lewis is unsaved, but I am saying you’ve got to look deeply into his doctrinal teachings rather than proclaimed events that have occurred in relation to him.
I have provided you enough links here to inform you about him. You’ve read what is above and disagree, but I’ll still highlight some other examples for you to consider.
To Pimp or Not to Pimp? Only Craige Can Say for Sure. There are also comments under that post where I go into other details about Mr. Lewis. But be sure to read the post there by Melvin Jones and see the comments I’ve made there where I provide additional details.
What Lewis does in having material removed from YouTube is wrong. There’s a wrong and a right (those are the 2 sides) and hounding people over video clip, that is SUPPOSED TO BE done for God’s glory and not a man’s is wrong.
You mention Lewis supposedly casts 42 demons out of someone. If they had already walked away from a bad music deal because God convicted them to turn from it, please tell us how even a single demon could dwell in them? This gets into the true errors in the teachings of Mr. Lewis. No where in scripture, did someone who even had a single demon in them have the ability to turn away from anything evil.
I’m warning you as I’ve continued warning, while Lewis does do some good, but his doctrine holds to some dangerous error.
October 31st, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Thanks for reponding to my comment! However, I still have to strongly disagree with you concerning Elder Lewis. It is not my intention to bump heads with everyone who disagrees with Ex Ministries, opinions as you know come a dime a dozen, all I can speak on is what I have been through and of course, what I know to be true in the Word of God. Reponding to your first opinion, that I am “defending Lewis with claims of casting out things, instead of actually seeing how Lewis doctrine stands against scripture”, and implying I should not be changed for hearing a man’s words. Roman 10:15 says: how shall they hear without a preacher? Countless examples given in scripture refer to man hearing the Word from a man of God & a life ‘change’ takes place as a result of it (Cornelius, the 3000 added to the church as an result of the preaching of Peter, Bartimaeus, I could go on and on). I want to make it clear I am not impressed with miracles to the degree I overlook someone preaching against the truths found in God’s Word. I made the comment about the demons to make a point that God is using Elder Lewis to wreck havoc in the kingdom of darkness. Futhermore, I am not ignorant when comes to the Word, in fact I thrist for it so much I am attending a 2 year bible college next fall, I would not back Ex Ministries if they where preaching heresies, it takes more than hype and lofty words to convince me. As for the blog To Pimp or Not to Pimp?, I found it interesting yet sad. Sad because you would think that a guy that speaks out against ‘pulpit pimps’ would totally support a ministry like Ex, because they have similiar ministries, and no doubt share in the same persecution. As for the utube clip controversy, that is not a credible reason to totally dimiss Elder Lewis, I am sure you and I have done things that others totally disagreed with and did not change our position because of it. Finally, I think it is a big mistake on your part to dismiss the very real experience Kevin formerly of ColorMeBadd had as unscriptural. He simply heard the message from the man of God, turned down the million dollar deal, and then had the ordeal with the demons. I have to admit, it is usually the other way around and I hope I am not misquoting Elder Lewis or discrediting Kevin’s ordeal in anyway, but I believe it happened to him just like he testified I don’t just swallow as I stated before someone’s doctrine hook, line, and sinker. If for any reason Ex Ministries deviates from biblical truths (highly unlikely in my opinion) I will quickly become a ex listener. This comment is not to match wits with you sir, (clearly you are well versed than I am) but I am simply trying to defend what Ex Ministries have done in me as well as my family’s life 4 the glory of God (I will go into detail at a later time about that). Thanks for reponding to my earlier comment once again.
IndependentConservative reply on October 31st, 2008 at 9:58 pm :
Good evening,
And when the “preacher” is saying things that don’t square well with the Word of God, that leaves a shaky foundation for his words.
It was actually the result of God moving on their hearts, but let’s continue.
And it does not agree with scripture. You claim a man was with 42 demons, but yet able to turn down a certain contract. Please show me with scripture where people with demons were able to feel conviction and turn from something evil, with even one demon? There is a critical error in the order of events and I don’t think you see how CRITICAL the error is. But you show me with scripture what I’ve requested you find for me.
Why should Melvin Jones who runs the site Pulpit-Pimps.org support a man who causes division in acting like saints can’t share material to edify other saints if the material happens to include his face? That is very much reason why Mr. Jones should never work with Mr. Lewis any more. In fact, they did once spend time together and since then have parted ways for obvious reasons. Mr. Jones simply documented his concerns about Mr. Lewis.
(And Melvin, if you’re reading this, feel free to explain how things with you and Mr. Lewis went from speaking to not speaking. It would be much better for you to speak about that than me, although I know you’ve documented some of the events before at your blog.)
You’ve got to keep in mind, the YouTube matter is one of several concerns regarding Mr. Lewis. However, someone who may get my efforts to help saints taken offline is NOT someone I’ll be endorsing or spending time with.
You realize it does NOT agree with a scriptural progression of events. Someone turning from evil in feeling conviction from God is not someone with 42 demons. So here’s the deal, I’m going to stick to as scripture says things should go and reject everything else.
Many of us including Melvin Jones have heard Mr. Lewis mention things at times that were found to be insightful. It does not mean we can endorse him once we see he’s up to some things that cause us concern. As you know in regards to some other people I’ve warned about, they have at times said things that are true. Not every word that comes from most anyone’s mouth is always a lie. However, when there are doctrinal issues, guys like myself and Melvin warn about them. The fact Mr. Lewis claims a “ministry” that actually can’t be freely shared makes it marketing, not ministry. I have a major problem with that. As I noted in the post above, I even changed this blog’s copyright statement, to ensure people know I have no problems with church matters from this blog being shared freely. Matthew 10:8 notes we should seek to do the works of the Lord freely. Giving freely, because we freely received. So when someone not only departs from that, but to the point they’ll even have officials remove material that was claimed to be “ministry”, I’ve got to keep myself apart from that person. Really far apart. And I feel I must warn others about anyone I don’t feel it would be good to have myself around. It would not be good for me to feel I should avoid someone and not warn others.
Mr. Lewis is making merchandise of the gospel. Not only that, even if someone shares the material after he’s made a sale, he’s against the material being shared. While he still seeks to make more sales off of it as a product. I believe good elders are supported by saints freely giving to them. But what Mr. Lewis is engaging in is a form of strong arm tactic. Where he claims to hold some truth that he claims you should see, but he refuses to share it unless a fee is paid. And it’s not just that he has a fee, but that he goes legal if anyone dares to share that material apart from his being given more money. As I’ve noted, the only contact information I found on his web site was for bookings, to hire him, to pay him. Regardless of whatever any of us might have learned from Mr. Lewis, he’s a man I can only warn about today. That’s the kind of man I certainly would not give my money to, because he’s running something he calls ministry, but he’s doing nothing more than merchandising. And then there are the doctrinal issues within the material he’s merchandising. This all compounds why I avoid him and warn others to do likewise.
November 1st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Good afternoon! With all due respect, this is why we shouldn’t “avoid” this highly annointed, much needed message by Ex Ministries because of disagreements about the marketing of the DVD’s among other minor ‘doctrinal differences’ you mentioned in this blog: To address the
“marketing” claim first, Jesus said in Luke 10:7-Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 1 Timothy 5:18- For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” So as you can see from theese passages, Jesus thought that faithful church leaders should be supported and appreciated. They deserve to receive enough financial support to allow them to live without worry and to provide for the needs of thier families. Yes, their are some in church leadership that take advantage of people, but the good ones like Ex Ministries among others should not have to suffer for the sake of the corrupt ones.I have heard Elder Lewis mention that he only charges $1000 per speaking engagement, and will not accept an engagement if they charge admission to attend. You also requested scriptural proof that the events that happened to Kevin Thorton formerly of ColorMeBadd is according to biblical example. I found this scripture: Luke 11:24-26 When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first”. Your readers can go to utube to hear Elder Lewis tell the full testimony of Kevin by typing in: Truth behind Hip Hop introduction to subject Part 9, drag on the timebar to 6:30, it is continued in part 10. Need more convincing? This is an excerpt from the book ‘Bondage Breaker’ by Neil T. Anderson, he is adressing common misconceptions about bondage: ‘4. Christains
cannot be affected by demons. Some evangelicals believe that christians cannot be affected or influenced by demons. Even the suggestion that demonic influence can be part of the problem prompts the hasty disclaimer, “Impossible! I’m a christian!” Such thinking removes the church from the position of having a adequate answer and helping those who are under attack, and it leaves such people without hope, because we are the only ones who can help them. Nothing has done greater damage to diagnosing spiritual problems than this untruth. If Satan can’t touch the church, why are we instructed to put on the armor of God, to resist the devil, to stand firm, and to be alert? If we aren’t susceptible to being wounded or trapped by Satan, why does Paul describe our relationship to the powers of darkness as a wrestling match? Those who deny the enemy’s potential for destruction are the most vulnerable
to it. (Our vulnerability to demonic intrusion and influence is the subject of Part Two of this book.)’ Mr. Anderson also has a section in his book called: Steps to Freedom in Christ, I highly recommend this book to all my bros & sis in Christ if you are in any kind of bondage, of course in addition to quality time with the Lord. Another example of demonic possession happening to a christain is in the movie ‘The exorcism of Emily Rose’, who was a devout catholic, based on a true story. Finally, Mr. I.C., I hope you can see from my perspective why I can’t “avoid” Ex Ministries, all of your concerns are valid ones, but in light of my opinions, the opinion of Dr. Neil Anderson (founder & president of Freedom in Christ Ministries, who also has more than 30 yrs of pastoral experience), and most of all the proof I provided with scriptures, would cause you to rethink your positions. Many blessings to you and yours.
IndependentConservative reply on November 1st, 2008 at 4:06 pm :
This is what you never actually answered.
Luke 11:24-26 is not a valid response, because I’ll say again, a man with even one demon would not have been able to through conviction from God turn down a lucrative contract.
Now to other things you’ve mentioned.
Luke 10:7 and 1 Timothy 5:18 are not authorization for a pastor to hang a mandated price tag over a message they claim is God inspired. Did the Apostles mandate a fee for any letter they sent to churches? Jesus said freely give and scripture affirms good elders are worthy of pay, which comes in the form of freely given donations, not response to fixed fees. Deserving of pay is NOT the same as mandating a fee. Deserving of pay involves those who can give understanding they should give something and no amount is fixed, but mandating a fee is to require pay even before anyone knows the full details of the material provided. That breaks the concept of the saint being able to give as they purpose in their own heart, 2 Corinthians 9:7. That is mandated fees based on the seller’s mandate, not the person who gives giving freely what they feel is suitable to give. Scripture affirms freely giving and freely receiving, not fixed fees.
Lewis self promotion is what that is!
No Christians cannot be demon possessed, because the Holy Spirit SEALS those who are the Lord’s, Ephesians 1:13.
Honestly, I have much to do and no more time to continue with this. Because you endorse an unbiblical form of demonology and no where in scripture was a person saved and later demon possessed. You’ve totally confused someone having a demon casts out with salvation. They are not the same. Christians don’t get demon possessed.
holyuntotheLord, simply because I have no more time for this and we are not going to agree, so there is no need to go further, your access here is discontinued. You’ve been allowed to say your say, but this will end here. If you desire to endorse Lewis, you won’t be doing it here.
IndependentConservative reply on November 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm :
I need to mention for the benefit of anyone who was watching this exchange. The bogus “exorcism” involving Kevin Thornton, that G. Craige Lewis speaks of, started with claims that Bob Larson initiated an earlier exorcism. Please know, that Bob Larson is a false teacher. He goes around acting as if he’s calling up people who have demons for him to “cast out”. I believe Bob Larson uses a form of group mesmerism, to convince people they have demons and that he’s casting them out. It’s a game the man is playing and many unsuspecting people fall for it. Kevin Thornton went to Larson unaware and fell into Larson’s trap. All that occurred was from one unaware man (Kevin) falling for false teaching (Larson’s) and then another man adding to that bad doctrine along with later using it for his own self promotion (G. Craige Lewis).
This is a prime example of why I warn to avoid Mr. Lewis.
Also, Luke 11:26 mentions a max of 8, nothing near 42. And as I’ve mentioned before, Christians don’t get possessed by demons.
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:13 am
Wow. I didn’t know this and I have to say that I am disturbed. That is just WRONG.
I have promoted EX Ministries videos a couple of times on my blog and I certainly don’t want to do that if he is doing what is stated above. What ever happened to “freely ye have received, freely give.”?
Yes, he has to provide for his family, but God will provide a way if he is obedient to what God says. Having financial obligations is never a reason to hold the Gospel hostage.
I have seen G. Craig Lewis in person a few times. The last time I got an uneasy feeling based on some of his comments about the amount of money he had and how he was able to live like (and down the street from) others who he said were pimping the Gospel. Lesson – he was apparently able to achieve what they had, but the “right” way.
The sad part was that he just really seemed to miss it. Regardless of his situation, he was speaking to people who people who were struggling financially, jobless, had lost homes in foreclosure…
It was just a pointless comment and showed a level of materialism that is inappropriate in the Gospel. Yes, God can help us to prosper, but worldly prosperity is never a sign-off or response to our attaining some position in Him. Gain is not godliness and shouldn’t be held up as such.
I also don’t agree with G. Craig Lewis on everything, but felt his insights into the demonic intent behind this music was important enough to get out seeing its grasp on the young people.
My objections with some of his messages are not deep enough for me to say he has doctrinal issues as asserted above. So now I am certainly interested in taking a closer look. Thanks for this article and I will reviewing your other post about these issues as well.
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 am
OK, I read the linked article.
Let me say that I don’t think it is the responsibility of the Christian to present both sides or objecting viewpoints. It is our responsibility to present the Truth. I thought G. Craig Lewis had some previous involvement with the music industry that gave hime insight into these areas? But I could be wrong here. Anyway, I have no problem with him presenting something he believes to be true. No, if he was intentionally putting forward something that is false, I would have real issues with that.
I have to say that I have never heard G. Craig Lewis speak favorably about Benny Hinn. If so, hopefully God has given him sight to see that Hinn is a warlock and that his teachings are unscriptural.
I think it is kind of silly to cite an issue with Lewis’ claim of having an experience with God telling him to start this work. How in the world can we hold suspect God doing what He has always done and that which is fully documented through all of Scripture? One might not believe that Lewis had such an experience, but if I would have wonder about the biblical soundness of one who calls the possibility suspect.
I also have never heard Lewis claim to have “new” revelations about God, so I cannot comment on that.
What I have noticed about Lewis is that in his early days he was (IMO) pretty weak on some of the charlatans in the church. A lot of refering to them still as brothers and a reluctance to call them out for their errors. I think he has started to be more biblical about that in later years.
Again, the only other real issue I had with him was what sensed to be a commercialization in his teaching/approach. Last year I read one of his blogs where he said people had stopped supporting him because of his stand against Obama and he was asking for money.
My thoughts were, “That is par for the course.” The world is only going to love its own and Obama was a huge test for Christians. Many were willing to support this man based on verbal claims of Christianity when his beliefs and very policies are anti-Christ. Lewis should not be dismayed. Just do what God says and let Him take care of the rest.
So, beyond being soft on error initially and this latest seemingly money-focused trend, I don’t have major doctrinal issues with him. If you care to explain what yours are IC, I would sure ne interested in hearing them.
Thanks!
IndependentConservative reply on February 22nd, 2009 at 3:17 pm :
Well fine, you wonder about my biblical soundness.
I have explained my position regarding him and leave it at that.
You and I would never see him the same, because you and I differ on a few things. Does not mean I feel like you the way I feel about Lewis, I don’t, but we differ on some things.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Hi IC,
I didn’t mean to offend and hope you didn’t take it as such. The comment questioning whether Lewis would have an experience with God came from the pulpit pimps article. I was not aware that this was a comment you made or agreed with.
My point is that there is much Scriptural precedent for the fact that God does indeed visit His people and impart instruction. If anyone who contends that this is no longer possible, then I would ask for Scriptural evidence of this being the case.
You did explain why you believe he is peddling. I have not seen your explanation of what you feel are major doctrinal issues. You certainly don’t owe me or anyone an explanation. I am merely saying that I don’t know what you mean here.
Regarding what you or I may agree/disagree on, I would never say never. I don’t claim to have all of the answers or to be 100% correct. I am not “sold out” to my understanding in any area; I am sold out to Christ. If He shows me that I am in error in an area, I would change in a heartbeat. I am assuming that you at least in part share this goal.
I think this is our first conversation, so I am surprised that you have any views about me whatsoever. LOL However, I am open to sharing or receiving feedback if you want to provide any.
Thanks Again!
IndependentConservative reply on February 22nd, 2009 at 6:48 pm :
Yes, we agree on that. I do agree with the article you read that I linked to and in stronger terms than the person who made that post cared to use. That blog post has 527 comments, some of them are mine and cover some things I may or may not have detailed here. (And of that 527 comments several people make many comments I think are worth reading.) I think we both are striving to walk with Christ as best we can and as you mentioned. If He shows either one of us we need to change on a matter I pray Lord willing that we would change as He desires.
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
527?! That is pretty daunting.
I know you are not saying to read the. But if it is worthwhile and perhaps shed’s light on things I am no familiar with regarding Lewis, I wil do so.
Thanks for the recommendation and response.