Andrew Strom
Earlier this week we published big chunks of Dennis Cramer's "Word for 2011" in which he basically tears into a lot of the flakey and dangerous "New Age"- type practices found in today's Prophetic movement. Well, to my great amazement, I found that the Elijah List had actually published Cramer's piece as well! And it caused such a storm that they had to remove it after just one day - for "clarification"! But then they re-published it - only slightly changed!
For those who don't know, the Elijah List is the main email List for the Prophetic movement - publishing the likes of Todd Bentley, Patricia King, Rick Joyner, Bob Jones, etc. It also sells mounds of their books and CD's. For the Elijah List to publish something that basically refutes all the "Spirit Travel" and "Third Heaven Visitation" stuff is simply unbelievable. It would almost be like the Pope refuting the veneration of Mary!
I don't know what the Elijah List was thinking, but I'm sure glad they did it. Now maybe there's a chance that some of their readers will get out from under those dangerous deceptions.
But I am left a bit dazed by it all - because the very ones who have been advocating "spirit travel AT WILL" and "Trance dancing" and 'Third Heaven visits AT WILL' are the very ministries that the Elijah List has been promoting all these years!
Here is what the Elijah List founder Steve Schultz wrote after they pulled the first article when it caused such a storm-
"Dear Elijah List Readers, There was a huge number of people who were unclear on a few issues with Dennis Cramer’s word... The most controversial aspect was the “AT WILL” issue. Apparently, there are some out and about who are teaching that you can transport or go to Heaven “AT WILL” – i.e. whenever you want. This is truly not taught in Scripture. The word “Doctrine” is another word for “teaching.” It’s an untrue teaching that anytime you want, you can go to Heaven or be transported... As soon as Dennis Cramer sends us a more in-depth explanation of the items he listed, we plan to repost my friend’s word."
ANDREW AGAIN: Steve - I'm so glad you wrote this, but do you truly realize what you are saying? Don't you know that Bob Jones and Todd Bentley and Patricia King, etc, are the VERY BIGGEST promoters of all this "AT WILL" deception that you are talking about? Patricia King even has a whole movement of "Ekstasis" Trance dancing! These guys have entire reams of teaching on how to "visualize" your way into the Third Heaven 'AT WILL'. They have been promoting it for years. Surely you know this? That's why your readers are so upset. Dennis Cramer is finally exposing and rebuking this stuff as the 'New Age' heresy that it really is.
On January 15, Elijah List reposted the "re-clarified" word from Dennis Cramer on their website. It was a little softer in places, but still it said the following very clearly:
"One cannot go to Heaven like Paul or be transported physically like Phillip simply because they want to or because they feel like it (at will). Teachings like this often crossover into dangerous methods and techniques that resemble New Age, Mysticism, Spiritism or other occult manipulative practices. A Believer cannot and must not force, manipulate, or otherwise attempt to reproduce a sovereign supernatural Bible experience by merely following a method, a series of steps, or worst of all “willing it” to happen."
In the same re-posted word, Dennis Cramer went on to say-
• Open Heaven/Spiritual Portals = BAD DOCTRINE
• Third Heaven Experiences At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
• Going to Heaven At Will to Get Your Gifts = BAD DOCTRINE
• Transporting Physically At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
• Over-Emphasis on Angels and Specifically Arc-Angels = BAD DOCTRINE
• Going into Trances At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
• Trance Dancing = BAD DOCTRINE
• Hyper-Grace: Christians Do Not Need to Repent of Sin = BAD DOCTRINE
Well - there goes the Prophetic movement!!
Seriously - I cannot believe they posted this on the Elijah List!
Steve - This is exactly all the stuff your followers have gotten into!
Most of the guys you promote - these are the exact 'New Age'-type practices that they teach! Surely you know this?
So now, to finish this article, I need some "clarification" from Steve Schultz. I am very encouraged by this apparent change of heart, Steve, but I need to know if you will now CEASE forthwith any and all publication of the materials and teachings of these people - until they publicly repent and apologize for this 'New Age' heresy. And I need to know if you - Steve Schultz - will now publicly renounce the promotion of these deceptive preachers around the world. (Sorry to be so blunt about it, but we really need to hear this from you). I am so glad that you published Cramer's piece. But now we really need to know where Elijah List stands - and whether things have truly changed or not. We look forward to your reply.
And I ask everyone reading this to please forward it to your Charismatic friends. People need to know that this stuff is finally being declared as "BAD DOCTRINE" - even by the Elijah List itself.
Please let everyone know, so this deception can be stopped. You would be amazed how widespread it is - Andrew Strom
From the desk of Steve Shultz:
Steve Shultz: Important Clarification of Dennis Cramer's Word: "Eleven Words for 2011"
There was a huge number of people who were unclear on a few issues with Dennis Cramer's word from the Lord and they wrote to us about it. There was likely an equal number of people who are upset with us for TEMPORARILY pulling Dennis Cramer's word for clarification. This has happened before when a word went out and people didn't quite understand what was being said.
Many people LOVED the word and understood it from the start. Yet many others were confused. It was simply "many" on both sides. Since the response was so intense, we pulled it quickly. I just got off the phone with Dennis Cramer to speak to him about a clarification of the word. He is happy to do it but time is not on his side. We will receive it Friday. When we get it, we'll send it out ASAP. I don't know if we'll have his clarification in time to send it to you on Friday, but if not we'll get it out during the weekend.
Let me explain that Dennis Cramer also assured me that he had NO specific ministry or minister in mind when he wrote his word.
The most controversial aspect was the "AT WILL" issue. Apparently, there are some out and about who are teaching that you can transport or go to Heaven "AT WILL" – i.e. whenever you want. This is truly not taught in Scripture. The word "Doctrine" is another word for "teaching." It's an untrue teaching that anytime you want, you can go to Heaven or be transported.
It's God's choice to tell you what HE wants to do with you and HOW HE wants to do it and when. Yes, we can place ourselves in a place of being ready for such a thing or transportation to Heaven – but God calls the shots and calls people to Open Heaven situations as HE CHOOSES.
As soon as Dennis Cramer sends us a more in-depth explanation of the items he listed, we plan to repost my friend's word. My apologies for any of our readers who were offended.
Dennis Cramer is a Bible-believing Christian, who is also a highly accurate prophet. Again, he will get to this by Friday and then we will repost the word for you. We are attempting to be a good steward of God's prophets and prophetic people. We do understand that some will be happy with us for this temporary situation and others will be upset. But the final product will be all the clearer, so we pray we are making the right decision - Steve
Dennis Cramer: Clarified Word for 2011
Greetings my brother!
First, let me begin by offering you my personal love and deep concern regarding your state of health. Allow me to suggest that this is a spiritual attack, a spirit of infirmity, and that you need to be the focus of prayer and fasting by others for your healing and deliverance. You are a strategic weapon in the hands of God, and the devil would just love to continue to hinder you. You have always been there for everyone else. Now the Church needs to be there for you.
More Clarity on this Word for 2011
Second, thank you for this opportunity to help the Body of Christ by bringing some more clarity to my 2011 prophecy. Thanks to you, I have received virtually dozens and dozens of emails from very supportive Elijah List followers thanking me profusely for this timely "word in season." The response has been incredible! Numerous pastors and ministers within this group have expressed their deepest gratitude to me and to you for addressing these volatile theological concerns with directness and honesty. They told me that the stand I made against these "doctrines of concern" through your website took real courage on both our parts.
Because of your love and commitment to the prophetic, many Believers have been helped through my 2011 prophecy. It is always my pleasure to cooperate with you each year at this time with my yearly word of the Lord. And, I believe this 2011 prophetic word will prove to be a pivotal prophetic word for you, your website, and the Body of Christ at large. Again, thanks my friend.
Below is my very best explanation of the critical phrase "at will" since you stated this was a major point of contention for some. I would suggest you insert this letter of explanation, that I have written below, as an introduction to the prophecy. I think it will REALLY help folks.
Your servant,
Denny Cramer
Introduction
• What Exactly is Meant by the Phrase "At Will"?
I would like to add some clarity to explain my 2011 (global) prophecy, a "word in season" for the Body of Christ in every nation. Perhaps, the phrase "at will" that appears after a number of the "doctrines of concern" that I address in point three below, could be more clearly understood by the reader.
"At will" means a Believer makes a decision, on his own, to initiate or attempt to duplicate a particular sovereign, supernatural experience. The individual wants a particular supernatural experience to happen so badly, he will do anything (within his power) to make it happen – to force it, to duplicate or copy it, whether or not it is God's sovereign will. Rather, a Believer should allow God to SOVEREIGNLY cause it to happen at His chosen time, as we see recorded in all similar Bible examples.
When a Believer unwisely exercises his (soulish) human will, outside of or in conflict with the sovereign will of God (anything contrary to the written Word of God, the Bible), he is producing a seemingly supernatural (source unclear) experience from his own will or "at will." This is the meaning of "at will." "At will" is self-will, and self-will can be sinful and can lead to all kinds of spiritual deception and questionable practices.
• The Question of Supernatural Sovereign Experiences "At Will"
Do I believe in Third Heaven experiences? Absolutely, I do. The Bible supports such sovereign experiences as in the example of Paul in 2 Corinthians 12. Do I believe in being physically transported? Absolutely, I do! By a sovereign act of God, Phillip was physically transported (Acts 8) from one location to another. So if it's in the Bible I believe it! I believe it all! Amen!
However, there is a HUGE difference between God willing you to have a certain sovereign Bible experience (like Paul or Phillip), as opposed to you willing it or trying to make it happen, to duplicate it through mere human effort or merely through the exercising of your human or soulish will, in other words, "at will." These Bible experiences were 100% sovereign. They did not happen because these individuals willed them into existence or willed them to happen. God and God alone initiated them – He and He alone willed them.
This is the very nature of a sovereign experience: God makes it happen when He wants, where He wants, and with whom He wants. Period! And they usually happened when the candidates or recipients least expected it. Why? Because these were sovereign events, not planned or initiated by man, but by God.
When discussing a sovereign experience there is a big difference between initiating versus cooperating. God INITIATES all sovereign experiences and the Believer COOPERATES with them. Mix the two, crisscross them, and this can lead to some real doctrinal confusion and counter-productive measures.
• It's All About God's Sovereignty
The critical issue with operating in the supernatural is: who is initiating what or who is "willing" what? Teaching Believers that by following certain steps, teachings, formulas, and/or merely exercising their own human wills, they can duplicate any sovereign supernatural experience – is dangerous and unscriptural.
One cannot go to Heaven like Paul or be transported physically like Phillip simply because they want to or because they feel like it (at will). Teachings like this often crossover into dangerous methods and techniques that resemble New Age, Mysticism, Spiritism or other occult manipulative practices. A Believer cannot and must not force, manipulate, or otherwise attempt to reproduce a sovereign supernatural Bible experience by merely following a method, a series of steps, or worst of all "willing it" to happen.
Whether we are discussing being translated in the spirit or transported physically, or any supernatural sovereign experience we read about in the Bible, the critical difference between whether it is God or not is who "willed" it to happen: Was it you or was it God? If you willed it to happen it ceases to be a sovereign, God ordained, supernatural, Bible experience, and you risk experiencing a counterfeit.
Below are the "Eleven Words for 2011" with clarification from Dennis Cramer:
It is Time to Dust Off Your Bible!
Picture in your mind, if you will, the image of an unused, dust-covered Bible. Now picture in your mind that this same dust-covered Bible is your Bible! This is not a good image to be sure, especially for a Bible-believing Christian in 2011. Sadly, many Christians now read more books about the Bible then they do the Bible itself.
Consequently, many in the Church have gradually and somewhat unknowingly, become Biblically ignorant, unaware or stunted. And doctrinally speaking, anything goes. There is now wide-spread acceptance of "marginal to heretical" doctrines. Just 25 years ago individuals would have been thrown out of the Church if caught teaching these heresies. How did this happen?
Simply, we have become Biblically ignorant. We have not been diligent to feed on the unadulterated Word of God. We are at best malnourished, and in some cases, starving to death. Biblical ignorance is on the increase in the Church, even to epidemic levels! Like any form of "lack" created by ignorance which can lead to sickness, only the proper "intake," or in these cases, only proper Biblical education can remedy it.
Warning: We Live in an Age of "Anything Goes" Theology! The Charismatic Church is in Big Trouble!
So, here is my 2011 prophetic "prescription" for this beautiful but Biblically challenged, even unhealthy, Bride.
1. Orthodoxy! I would like to prescribe a good healthy dose of the written Word of God, the Bible. The Church needs an immediate injection of the truth! We must all pray for the Church to return to the orthodoxy (traditional belief) of Scripture. This means a return to the proper reading, INTERPRETATION, and application of the Bible in our lives. There is a growing trend toward some really bad doctrine out there. And we, the Church, must put a stop to it! If we don't, no one else will! The Church must begin to police herself against unorthodox (false) teaching and bizarre practices. You must reacquaint yourself with the Scriptures and know your Bible.
In 40 years of serving God, I have not heard so much bad doctrine preached from so-called "Bible-believing" Christians – specifically charismatic Christians.
2. Berea! We must pray for a "Berean Revival" in the Church – a revival which returns us all to our roots – our roots in the Word of God. In the Bible, the original Bereans were Believers who "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things be so." There is a lot of doctrine currently in circulation in the charismatic Church that is highly questionable – even heretical.
Each Believer must begin to "search the Scriptures" for himself to discover whether what he is believing is Biblical or not (Acts 17:11). Stop unequivocally trusting ministers and their pulpits to always and completely preach the truth – some do, some do not. You need to search and know the Scriptures for yourself. If their teachings sound too good to be true – they very well may be! Know your Bible.
3. Preach the Word! (2 Timothy 4:2). It is time for the Church to return to her basic Bible beliefs (fundamental doctrines) and the core values these fundamental doctrines produce. Peripheral doctrines or beliefs are peripheral for a reason, and can lead to dangerous theologically positions and questionable practices. We must stop extracting obscure, vague, single, solitary verses out of context, and stop trying to make major "sound" doctrines out of them.
This "stretching of the truth" must stop. Some of our so-called "proof texts" do not prove what's being preached at all. We are "twisting the Scriptures to our own destruction." We must again major in major doctrine and minor in the minor ones. My prophetic word to all Pastors/Teachers for 2011 is simple: "Preach the Word!" Know your Bible.
Some examples of current doctrine circulating in the Church: You must believe me that I am NOT making this stuff up!
DOCTRINES of CONCERN:
• Open Theism: Teaches God is Not Sovereign = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that God does not always know the outcome of earthly events when man is involved – that man can actually catch God "off guard," surprise Him, and alter His will. For example, it teaches that God did not know Adam was going to sin. Yet there are numerous verses that clearly teach God is sovereign and knew exactly what was going to happen and when it was going to happen. If God did not know that Adam was going to sin, then why was the Lamb slain from before the foundations of the world? (1 Peter 1:18-20). Additional proof texts: Ephesians 1:4, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 139:16, Isaiah 46:10, Ecclesiastes 3:11, 1 John 3:20, John 21:17.
If God is not omniscient, then He is not sovereign. If He is not sovereign, then He is not God. God is all-knowing: past, present, and future. Open theism is a dangerous teaching that under-mines the sovereignty, majesty, infinitude, knowledge, existence, and glory of God and exalts the nature and condition of man's own free will. A god of open theism is not as knowledgeable or as ever-present as the true God of the Bible.
• Ultimate Reconciliation/Restitution of All Things = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that Hell will one day be emptied, that all of mankind (saved and unsaved) will live together eternally in Heaven, regardless of their actions while they lived on earth. This is an old heresy that pops up every fifty years or so. There is no Biblical basis for this very dangerous doctrine.
• The "Nefilin" Children Alive on Earth = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that there are currently living beings on the earth who are the distant offspring of the original "giants" conceived by angels and women mentioned in the book of Genesis. This is pure speculation. Recent books on the subject have caught our attention, but this topic was never supposed to be a major Bible doctrine. Some authors have taken extreme liberty and license to write about it. Again, it is pure speculation and could serve as a distraction from more important issues in the Church.
• Open Heaven/Spiritual Portals = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that we, as Christians, should be asking God to "rend the heavens" and open them to us so we can experience God's power and presence. Actually, this is totally unnecessary since God, through Jesus Christ, has already fully opened the heavens to each and every Believer. Every Believer has been walking under the "Open Heaven" atmosphere from the moment they were born again. Hebrews calls it the "Throne of Grace" (Hebrews 4:16). This "Throne of Grace" in Heaven is already open and available 24/7 – to all Believers who access it in the name of Jesus. How? By faith.
• Third Heaven Experiences At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
See my introduction above.
• Going to Heaven At Will to Get Your Gifts = BAD DOCTRINE
See my introduction above. There is no Biblical record of any Believer having to go to Heaven to get any gift. This is a totally unnecessary spiritual exercise. The three listings of gifts in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians have all been in the Church for over two thousand years. They are not in Heaven, so why go there to get them? The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have each deposited Their respective gifts in the Church here on earth. For 2,000 years, Christians have been receiving here ON EARTH from this great deposit of gifts. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, ON EARTH, as it is in Heaven." Amen!
• Cloud of Witnesses/Dead Saints = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that Christians should expect the intervention of dead saints in our daily lives. This entire deception is based on a terribly irresponsible interpretation of a single obscure verse in Hebrews 12:1. We do not need dead saints intervening in our lives. We have Jesus as our Mediator, the ONLY Mediator we need between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), and He is not dead. He is alive! Necromancy, that is communication with the dead (any dead), is forbidden in Scripture.
• Traveling in Time At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
I have been unable to find this in the Bible. Let alone doing it "at will."
• Transporting Physically At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
See my introduction above.
• Over-Emphasis on Angels and Specifically Arc-Angels = BAD DOCTRINE
Yes, they are real. But an angelic visitation is a rare and precious event. Most Christians will never have an encounter with one. And it is extremely unlikely that a Christian will be visited by an arc angel. Michael and Gabriel were given specific, significant, world-changing tasks in the Scriptures. It is likely that they have more important things to do than to drop by your house for a visit!
• Going into Trances At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
See my introduction above.
• Trance Dancing = BAD DOCTRINE
I have been unable to find this in the Bible.
• Going to Hell to Discern Evil Spirits = BAD DOCTRINE
No one in the Bible ever had to go to Hell to discern a spirit. Why should we?
• Hyper-Grace: Christians Do Not Need to Repent of Sin = BAD DOCTRINE
The only Biblical response for sin is ALWAYS repentance for both the sinner and the saved. How else can a Believer be accountable for his sin except to repent of it? No form of grace removes the Believer's responsibility to repent for his sin.
• Quick Restoration of Fallen Church Leaders = BAD DOCTRINE
Why should a fallen leader necessarily be restored back to his ministry, especially after numerous failures over the space of years? Sometimes fallen leaders should not be restored back to ministry at all, but back to finding a secular job, loving their spouse, and raising their kids. However, if it is decided that a fallen leader be restored back to his ministry, I am not against restoring that leader. I am however against restoring that leader too quickly.
• Divorce Among Christians without Consequences = BAD DOCTRINE
All of us are aware of the terrible increase of divorce among Christians. Yet, what troubles me more is the lack of consequences from these divorces. Covenant is very important to God. Divorce is not God's best. Breaking the marriage covenant is a serious issue. Yet many Christians, and even ministers, never miss a step. One day they divorce and soon after they are back in the pulpit and/or often in a new marriage.
• The Bible Contains Cultural and Gender Biases = BAD DOCTRINE
No, it does not! I've actually been told by pastors that they have made decisions to counter the various biases that they perceive in the Bible. I was stunned! How can the Bible be inerrant, infallible, and contain biases and/or prejudices at the same time? It cannot! But some preach this from their pulpits, misrepresenting God's Word, the Bible.
4. Seducing Spirits! (1 Timothy 4:1-4). There has been loosed on the Church for 2,000 years a literal army of demons whose sole task is to deceive the Church! Unfortunately, these deceiving, seducing spirits are enjoying some of their most successful efforts. Why?
The average Believer does not know His Bible. The Bible is absolute truth, forever settled in Heaven. It is our sword of the Spirit – two-edged and deadly. To be Bible-ignorant is to have no offensive weapon against our enemy satan. Our ONLY defense against our enemy is a proven offense. And our proven offense against this hoard of demons is the written Word of God, the Bible. Jesus wielded this same written Word-sword against satan in the wilderness with great results. So should you!
I hear the Church saying again, "DEVIL, IT IS WRITTEN!" It does not matter what you think, feel, sense, or even believe. It does not matter what experience you claim to have had, or how many trips to Heaven you claim to have made, or how many angels you know on a first name basis. The only thing that matters is what God said in His Word. Know your Bible.
5. The Devourer! (Malachi 3:11). WARNING: All non-tithing Believers are going to fall victim to a spirit called the "Devourer" unless they return to a systematic lifestyle of financial giving that the Bible calls tithes and offerings! This demonic entity, an actual living thing, will attach itself to the finances of any non-tithing Believer. However, for all faithful tithing Believers the results will be the opposite: God will rebuke this devourer for their sake, and they will enjoy the "open windows of Heaven" lifestyle promised for all who do not "rob" God. They will be a "blessed land" with showers of financial provision from above! Know your Bible.
6. Divorce! Some Believers will suffer the consequences of unwisely entering into unscriptural divorces. These divorces of convenience have angered God, bringing Him to place judgments upon some ministers and their ministries. We need to be reminded that God hates divorce. Know your Bible.
7. Deception! Many will willingly and increasingly enter into incorrect thinking. Hardcore deception will find a home in the Church in 2011 if we are not diligent to know and follow the Word of God. Remember these words from Scripture: "Be not deceived!" This is a command, and the responsibility of all Bible-believing Believers. Notice that deception is a choice! We must choose not to be deceived in 2011. How? Know your Bible!
8. Prophets! As a Prophet, Jesus Christ enjoyed only a very brief season of popularity, followed by His crucifixion as a falsely convicted criminal. Many prophets will suffer the same fate in 2011. I fear that the season of popularity for many prophets is over. As James wrote, "As an example of SUFFERING, take the prophets." Know your Bible.
9. Underground! An exciting and even more powerful supernatural "underground Church" will emerge in 2011. The true Church is much smaller than many think it is. And true apostles and prophets will emerge within this true underground Church. Essentially, a nameless and faceless core, these foundational ministries will re-direct their efforts away from their so called networks, and will devote themselves to returning to the local Church level where their greatest effect and spiritual impact on the Body of Christ will be realized. Know your Bible.
10. Prize! God gave me this verse for literally every Believer worldwide for 2011. "I press toward the goal (in 2011) for the PRIZE of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Remember that you have been apprehended by God, for God. Let's all forget about those things that are behind, and reach forward (in 2011) for those things which are ahead. There is an eternal prize awaiting you! Know your Bible.
11. Pearl! Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price. He is your ultimate reward for 2011. He is your Master and you serve Him and Him alone for 2011! Make 2011 the year in which you live for Him again without reservation. It is time to sell everything (figuratively speaking) and purchase that Pearl of great price in 2011 and beyond! Amen! Know your Bible.
Beloved, I think you get my point: Know your Bible!
Hope this helps,
Dennis Cramer
Earlier this week we published big chunks of Dennis Cramer's "Word for 2011" in which he basically tears into a lot of the flakey and dangerous "New Age"- type practices found in today's Prophetic movement. Well, to my great amazement, I found that the Elijah List had actually published Cramer's piece as well! And it caused such a storm that they had to remove it after just one day - for "clarification"! But then they re-published it - only slightly changed!
For those who don't know, the Elijah List is the main email List for the Prophetic movement - publishing the likes of Todd Bentley, Patricia King, Rick Joyner, Bob Jones, etc. It also sells mounds of their books and CD's. For the Elijah List to publish something that basically refutes all the "Spirit Travel" and "Third Heaven Visitation" stuff is simply unbelievable. It would almost be like the Pope refuting the veneration of Mary!
I don't know what the Elijah List was thinking, but I'm sure glad they did it. Now maybe there's a chance that some of their readers will get out from under those dangerous deceptions.
But I am left a bit dazed by it all - because the very ones who have been advocating "spirit travel AT WILL" and "Trance dancing" and 'Third Heaven visits AT WILL' are the very ministries that the Elijah List has been promoting all these years!
Here is what the Elijah List founder Steve Schultz wrote after they pulled the first article when it caused such a storm-
"Dear Elijah List Readers, There was a huge number of people who were unclear on a few issues with Dennis Cramer’s word... The most controversial aspect was the “AT WILL” issue. Apparently, there are some out and about who are teaching that you can transport or go to Heaven “AT WILL” – i.e. whenever you want. This is truly not taught in Scripture. The word “Doctrine” is another word for “teaching.” It’s an untrue teaching that anytime you want, you can go to Heaven or be transported... As soon as Dennis Cramer sends us a more in-depth explanation of the items he listed, we plan to repost my friend’s word."
ANDREW AGAIN: Steve - I'm so glad you wrote this, but do you truly realize what you are saying? Don't you know that Bob Jones and Todd Bentley and Patricia King, etc, are the VERY BIGGEST promoters of all this "AT WILL" deception that you are talking about? Patricia King even has a whole movement of "Ekstasis" Trance dancing! These guys have entire reams of teaching on how to "visualize" your way into the Third Heaven 'AT WILL'. They have been promoting it for years. Surely you know this? That's why your readers are so upset. Dennis Cramer is finally exposing and rebuking this stuff as the 'New Age' heresy that it really is.
On January 15, Elijah List reposted the "re-clarified" word from Dennis Cramer on their website. It was a little softer in places, but still it said the following very clearly:
In the same re-posted word, Dennis Cramer went on to say-
• Open Heaven/Spiritual Portals = BAD DOCTRINE
• Third Heaven Experiences At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
• Going to Heaven At Will to Get Your Gifts = BAD DOCTRINE
• Transporting Physically At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
• Over-Emphasis on Angels and Specifically Arc-Angels = BAD DOCTRINE
• Going into Trances At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
• Trance Dancing = BAD DOCTRINE
• Hyper-Grace: Christians Do Not Need to Repent of Sin = BAD DOCTRINE
Well - there goes the Prophetic movement!!
Seriously - I cannot believe they posted this on the Elijah List!
Steve - This is exactly all the stuff your followers have gotten into!
Most of the guys you promote - these are the exact 'New Age'-type practices that they teach! Surely you know this?
So now, to finish this article, I need some "clarification" from Steve Schultz. I am very encouraged by this apparent change of heart, Steve, but I need to know if you will now CEASE forthwith any and all publication of the materials and teachings of these people - until they publicly repent and apologize for this 'New Age' heresy. And I need to know if you - Steve Schultz - will now publicly renounce the promotion of these deceptive preachers around the world. (Sorry to be so blunt about it, but we really need to hear this from you). I am so glad that you published Cramer's piece. But now we really need to know where Elijah List stands - and whether things have truly changed or not. We look forward to your reply.
And I ask everyone reading this to please forward it to your Charismatic friends. People need to know that this stuff is finally being declared as "BAD DOCTRINE" - even by the Elijah List itself.
Please let everyone know, so this deception can be stopped. You would be amazed how widespread it is - Andrew Strom
Steve Shultz: Important Clarification of Dennis Cramer's Word: "Eleven Words for 2011"
There was a huge number of people who were unclear on a few issues with Dennis Cramer's word from the Lord and they wrote to us about it. There was likely an equal number of people who are upset with us for TEMPORARILY pulling Dennis Cramer's word for clarification. This has happened before when a word went out and people didn't quite understand what was being said.
Many people LOVED the word and understood it from the start. Yet many others were confused. It was simply "many" on both sides. Since the response was so intense, we pulled it quickly. I just got off the phone with Dennis Cramer to speak to him about a clarification of the word. He is happy to do it but time is not on his side. We will receive it Friday. When we get it, we'll send it out ASAP. I don't know if we'll have his clarification in time to send it to you on Friday, but if not we'll get it out during the weekend.
Let me explain that Dennis Cramer also assured me that he had NO specific ministry or minister in mind when he wrote his word.
The most controversial aspect was the "AT WILL" issue. Apparently, there are some out and about who are teaching that you can transport or go to Heaven "AT WILL" – i.e. whenever you want. This is truly not taught in Scripture. The word "Doctrine" is another word for "teaching." It's an untrue teaching that anytime you want, you can go to Heaven or be transported.
It's God's choice to tell you what HE wants to do with you and HOW HE wants to do it and when. Yes, we can place ourselves in a place of being ready for such a thing or transportation to Heaven – but God calls the shots and calls people to Open Heaven situations as HE CHOOSES.
As soon as Dennis Cramer sends us a more in-depth explanation of the items he listed, we plan to repost my friend's word. My apologies for any of our readers who were offended.
Dennis Cramer is a Bible-believing Christian, who is also a highly accurate prophet. Again, he will get to this by Friday and then we will repost the word for you. We are attempting to be a good steward of God's prophets and prophetic people. We do understand that some will be happy with us for this temporary situation and others will be upset. But the final product will be all the clearer, so we pray we are making the right decision - Steve
Dennis Cramer: Clarified Word for 2011
Greetings my brother!
First, let me begin by offering you my personal love and deep concern regarding your state of health. Allow me to suggest that this is a spiritual attack, a spirit of infirmity, and that you need to be the focus of prayer and fasting by others for your healing and deliverance. You are a strategic weapon in the hands of God, and the devil would just love to continue to hinder you. You have always been there for everyone else. Now the Church needs to be there for you.
More Clarity on this Word for 2011
Second, thank you for this opportunity to help the Body of Christ by bringing some more clarity to my 2011 prophecy. Thanks to you, I have received virtually dozens and dozens of emails from very supportive Elijah List followers thanking me profusely for this timely "word in season." The response has been incredible! Numerous pastors and ministers within this group have expressed their deepest gratitude to me and to you for addressing these volatile theological concerns with directness and honesty. They told me that the stand I made against these "doctrines of concern" through your website took real courage on both our parts.
Because of your love and commitment to the prophetic, many Believers have been helped through my 2011 prophecy. It is always my pleasure to cooperate with you each year at this time with my yearly word of the Lord. And, I believe this 2011 prophetic word will prove to be a pivotal prophetic word for you, your website, and the Body of Christ at large. Again, thanks my friend.
Below is my very best explanation of the critical phrase "at will" since you stated this was a major point of contention for some. I would suggest you insert this letter of explanation, that I have written below, as an introduction to the prophecy. I think it will REALLY help folks.
Your servant,
Denny Cramer
Introduction
• What Exactly is Meant by the Phrase "At Will"?
I would like to add some clarity to explain my 2011 (global) prophecy, a "word in season" for the Body of Christ in every nation. Perhaps, the phrase "at will" that appears after a number of the "doctrines of concern" that I address in point three below, could be more clearly understood by the reader.
"At will" means a Believer makes a decision, on his own, to initiate or attempt to duplicate a particular sovereign, supernatural experience. The individual wants a particular supernatural experience to happen so badly, he will do anything (within his power) to make it happen – to force it, to duplicate or copy it, whether or not it is God's sovereign will. Rather, a Believer should allow God to SOVEREIGNLY cause it to happen at His chosen time, as we see recorded in all similar Bible examples.
When a Believer unwisely exercises his (soulish) human will, outside of or in conflict with the sovereign will of God (anything contrary to the written Word of God, the Bible), he is producing a seemingly supernatural (source unclear) experience from his own will or "at will." This is the meaning of "at will." "At will" is self-will, and self-will can be sinful and can lead to all kinds of spiritual deception and questionable practices.
• The Question of Supernatural Sovereign Experiences "At Will"
Do I believe in Third Heaven experiences? Absolutely, I do. The Bible supports such sovereign experiences as in the example of Paul in 2 Corinthians 12. Do I believe in being physically transported? Absolutely, I do! By a sovereign act of God, Phillip was physically transported (Acts 8) from one location to another. So if it's in the Bible I believe it! I believe it all! Amen!
However, there is a HUGE difference between God willing you to have a certain sovereign Bible experience (like Paul or Phillip), as opposed to you willing it or trying to make it happen, to duplicate it through mere human effort or merely through the exercising of your human or soulish will, in other words, "at will." These Bible experiences were 100% sovereign. They did not happen because these individuals willed them into existence or willed them to happen. God and God alone initiated them – He and He alone willed them.
This is the very nature of a sovereign experience: God makes it happen when He wants, where He wants, and with whom He wants. Period! And they usually happened when the candidates or recipients least expected it. Why? Because these were sovereign events, not planned or initiated by man, but by God.
When discussing a sovereign experience there is a big difference between initiating versus cooperating. God INITIATES all sovereign experiences and the Believer COOPERATES with them. Mix the two, crisscross them, and this can lead to some real doctrinal confusion and counter-productive measures.
• It's All About God's Sovereignty
The critical issue with operating in the supernatural is: who is initiating what or who is "willing" what? Teaching Believers that by following certain steps, teachings, formulas, and/or merely exercising their own human wills, they can duplicate any sovereign supernatural experience – is dangerous and unscriptural.
One cannot go to Heaven like Paul or be transported physically like Phillip simply because they want to or because they feel like it (at will). Teachings like this often crossover into dangerous methods and techniques that resemble New Age, Mysticism, Spiritism or other occult manipulative practices. A Believer cannot and must not force, manipulate, or otherwise attempt to reproduce a sovereign supernatural Bible experience by merely following a method, a series of steps, or worst of all "willing it" to happen.
Whether we are discussing being translated in the spirit or transported physically, or any supernatural sovereign experience we read about in the Bible, the critical difference between whether it is God or not is who "willed" it to happen: Was it you or was it God? If you willed it to happen it ceases to be a sovereign, God ordained, supernatural, Bible experience, and you risk experiencing a counterfeit.
Below are the "Eleven Words for 2011" with clarification from Dennis Cramer:
It is Time to Dust Off Your Bible!
Picture in your mind, if you will, the image of an unused, dust-covered Bible. Now picture in your mind that this same dust-covered Bible is your Bible! This is not a good image to be sure, especially for a Bible-believing Christian in 2011. Sadly, many Christians now read more books about the Bible then they do the Bible itself.
Consequently, many in the Church have gradually and somewhat unknowingly, become Biblically ignorant, unaware or stunted. And doctrinally speaking, anything goes. There is now wide-spread acceptance of "marginal to heretical" doctrines. Just 25 years ago individuals would have been thrown out of the Church if caught teaching these heresies. How did this happen?
Simply, we have become Biblically ignorant. We have not been diligent to feed on the unadulterated Word of God. We are at best malnourished, and in some cases, starving to death. Biblical ignorance is on the increase in the Church, even to epidemic levels! Like any form of "lack" created by ignorance which can lead to sickness, only the proper "intake," or in these cases, only proper Biblical education can remedy it.
Warning: We Live in an Age of "Anything Goes" Theology! The Charismatic Church is in Big Trouble!
So, here is my 2011 prophetic "prescription" for this beautiful but Biblically challenged, even unhealthy, Bride.
1. Orthodoxy! I would like to prescribe a good healthy dose of the written Word of God, the Bible. The Church needs an immediate injection of the truth! We must all pray for the Church to return to the orthodoxy (traditional belief) of Scripture. This means a return to the proper reading, INTERPRETATION, and application of the Bible in our lives. There is a growing trend toward some really bad doctrine out there. And we, the Church, must put a stop to it! If we don't, no one else will! The Church must begin to police herself against unorthodox (false) teaching and bizarre practices. You must reacquaint yourself with the Scriptures and know your Bible.
In 40 years of serving God, I have not heard so much bad doctrine preached from so-called "Bible-believing" Christians – specifically charismatic Christians.
2. Berea! We must pray for a "Berean Revival" in the Church – a revival which returns us all to our roots – our roots in the Word of God. In the Bible, the original Bereans were Believers who "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things be so." There is a lot of doctrine currently in circulation in the charismatic Church that is highly questionable – even heretical.
Each Believer must begin to "search the Scriptures" for himself to discover whether what he is believing is Biblical or not (Acts 17:11). Stop unequivocally trusting ministers and their pulpits to always and completely preach the truth – some do, some do not. You need to search and know the Scriptures for yourself. If their teachings sound too good to be true – they very well may be! Know your Bible.
3. Preach the Word! (2 Timothy 4:2). It is time for the Church to return to her basic Bible beliefs (fundamental doctrines) and the core values these fundamental doctrines produce. Peripheral doctrines or beliefs are peripheral for a reason, and can lead to dangerous theologically positions and questionable practices. We must stop extracting obscure, vague, single, solitary verses out of context, and stop trying to make major "sound" doctrines out of them.
This "stretching of the truth" must stop. Some of our so-called "proof texts" do not prove what's being preached at all. We are "twisting the Scriptures to our own destruction." We must again major in major doctrine and minor in the minor ones. My prophetic word to all Pastors/Teachers for 2011 is simple: "Preach the Word!" Know your Bible.
Some examples of current doctrine circulating in the Church: You must believe me that I am NOT making this stuff up!
DOCTRINES of CONCERN:
• Open Theism: Teaches God is Not Sovereign = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that God does not always know the outcome of earthly events when man is involved – that man can actually catch God "off guard," surprise Him, and alter His will. For example, it teaches that God did not know Adam was going to sin. Yet there are numerous verses that clearly teach God is sovereign and knew exactly what was going to happen and when it was going to happen. If God did not know that Adam was going to sin, then why was the Lamb slain from before the foundations of the world? (1 Peter 1:18-20). Additional proof texts: Ephesians 1:4, Psalm 139:4, Psalm 139:16, Isaiah 46:10, Ecclesiastes 3:11, 1 John 3:20, John 21:17.
If God is not omniscient, then He is not sovereign. If He is not sovereign, then He is not God. God is all-knowing: past, present, and future. Open theism is a dangerous teaching that under-mines the sovereignty, majesty, infinitude, knowledge, existence, and glory of God and exalts the nature and condition of man's own free will. A god of open theism is not as knowledgeable or as ever-present as the true God of the Bible.
• Ultimate Reconciliation/Restitution of All Things = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that Hell will one day be emptied, that all of mankind (saved and unsaved) will live together eternally in Heaven, regardless of their actions while they lived on earth. This is an old heresy that pops up every fifty years or so. There is no Biblical basis for this very dangerous doctrine.
• The "Nefilin" Children Alive on Earth = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that there are currently living beings on the earth who are the distant offspring of the original "giants" conceived by angels and women mentioned in the book of Genesis. This is pure speculation. Recent books on the subject have caught our attention, but this topic was never supposed to be a major Bible doctrine. Some authors have taken extreme liberty and license to write about it. Again, it is pure speculation and could serve as a distraction from more important issues in the Church.
• Open Heaven/Spiritual Portals = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that we, as Christians, should be asking God to "rend the heavens" and open them to us so we can experience God's power and presence. Actually, this is totally unnecessary since God, through Jesus Christ, has already fully opened the heavens to each and every Believer. Every Believer has been walking under the "Open Heaven" atmosphere from the moment they were born again. Hebrews calls it the "Throne of Grace" (Hebrews 4:16). This "Throne of Grace" in Heaven is already open and available 24/7 – to all Believers who access it in the name of Jesus. How? By faith.
• Third Heaven Experiences At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
See my introduction above.
• Going to Heaven At Will to Get Your Gifts = BAD DOCTRINE
See my introduction above. There is no Biblical record of any Believer having to go to Heaven to get any gift. This is a totally unnecessary spiritual exercise. The three listings of gifts in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians have all been in the Church for over two thousand years. They are not in Heaven, so why go there to get them? The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have each deposited Their respective gifts in the Church here on earth. For 2,000 years, Christians have been receiving here ON EARTH from this great deposit of gifts. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, ON EARTH, as it is in Heaven." Amen!
• Cloud of Witnesses/Dead Saints = BAD DOCTRINE
Teaches that Christians should expect the intervention of dead saints in our daily lives. This entire deception is based on a terribly irresponsible interpretation of a single obscure verse in Hebrews 12:1. We do not need dead saints intervening in our lives. We have Jesus as our Mediator, the ONLY Mediator we need between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), and He is not dead. He is alive! Necromancy, that is communication with the dead (any dead), is forbidden in Scripture.
• Traveling in Time At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
I have been unable to find this in the Bible. Let alone doing it "at will."
• Transporting Physically At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
See my introduction above.
• Over-Emphasis on Angels and Specifically Arc-Angels = BAD DOCTRINE
Yes, they are real. But an angelic visitation is a rare and precious event. Most Christians will never have an encounter with one. And it is extremely unlikely that a Christian will be visited by an arc angel. Michael and Gabriel were given specific, significant, world-changing tasks in the Scriptures. It is likely that they have more important things to do than to drop by your house for a visit!
• Going into Trances At Will = BAD DOCTRINE
See my introduction above.
• Trance Dancing = BAD DOCTRINE
I have been unable to find this in the Bible.
• Going to Hell to Discern Evil Spirits = BAD DOCTRINE
No one in the Bible ever had to go to Hell to discern a spirit. Why should we?
• Hyper-Grace: Christians Do Not Need to Repent of Sin = BAD DOCTRINE
The only Biblical response for sin is ALWAYS repentance for both the sinner and the saved. How else can a Believer be accountable for his sin except to repent of it? No form of grace removes the Believer's responsibility to repent for his sin.
• Quick Restoration of Fallen Church Leaders = BAD DOCTRINE
Why should a fallen leader necessarily be restored back to his ministry, especially after numerous failures over the space of years? Sometimes fallen leaders should not be restored back to ministry at all, but back to finding a secular job, loving their spouse, and raising their kids. However, if it is decided that a fallen leader be restored back to his ministry, I am not against restoring that leader. I am however against restoring that leader too quickly.
• Divorce Among Christians without Consequences = BAD DOCTRINE
All of us are aware of the terrible increase of divorce among Christians. Yet, what troubles me more is the lack of consequences from these divorces. Covenant is very important to God. Divorce is not God's best. Breaking the marriage covenant is a serious issue. Yet many Christians, and even ministers, never miss a step. One day they divorce and soon after they are back in the pulpit and/or often in a new marriage.
• The Bible Contains Cultural and Gender Biases = BAD DOCTRINE
No, it does not! I've actually been told by pastors that they have made decisions to counter the various biases that they perceive in the Bible. I was stunned! How can the Bible be inerrant, infallible, and contain biases and/or prejudices at the same time? It cannot! But some preach this from their pulpits, misrepresenting God's Word, the Bible.
4. Seducing Spirits! (1 Timothy 4:1-4). There has been loosed on the Church for 2,000 years a literal army of demons whose sole task is to deceive the Church! Unfortunately, these deceiving, seducing spirits are enjoying some of their most successful efforts. Why?
The average Believer does not know His Bible. The Bible is absolute truth, forever settled in Heaven. It is our sword of the Spirit – two-edged and deadly. To be Bible-ignorant is to have no offensive weapon against our enemy satan. Our ONLY defense against our enemy is a proven offense. And our proven offense against this hoard of demons is the written Word of God, the Bible. Jesus wielded this same written Word-sword against satan in the wilderness with great results. So should you!
I hear the Church saying again, "DEVIL, IT IS WRITTEN!" It does not matter what you think, feel, sense, or even believe. It does not matter what experience you claim to have had, or how many trips to Heaven you claim to have made, or how many angels you know on a first name basis. The only thing that matters is what God said in His Word. Know your Bible.
5. The Devourer! (Malachi 3:11). WARNING: All non-tithing Believers are going to fall victim to a spirit called the "Devourer" unless they return to a systematic lifestyle of financial giving that the Bible calls tithes and offerings! This demonic entity, an actual living thing, will attach itself to the finances of any non-tithing Believer. However, for all faithful tithing Believers the results will be the opposite: God will rebuke this devourer for their sake, and they will enjoy the "open windows of Heaven" lifestyle promised for all who do not "rob" God. They will be a "blessed land" with showers of financial provision from above! Know your Bible.
6. Divorce! Some Believers will suffer the consequences of unwisely entering into unscriptural divorces. These divorces of convenience have angered God, bringing Him to place judgments upon some ministers and their ministries. We need to be reminded that God hates divorce. Know your Bible.
7. Deception! Many will willingly and increasingly enter into incorrect thinking. Hardcore deception will find a home in the Church in 2011 if we are not diligent to know and follow the Word of God. Remember these words from Scripture: "Be not deceived!" This is a command, and the responsibility of all Bible-believing Believers. Notice that deception is a choice! We must choose not to be deceived in 2011. How? Know your Bible!
8. Prophets! As a Prophet, Jesus Christ enjoyed only a very brief season of popularity, followed by His crucifixion as a falsely convicted criminal. Many prophets will suffer the same fate in 2011. I fear that the season of popularity for many prophets is over. As James wrote, "As an example of SUFFERING, take the prophets." Know your Bible.
9. Underground! An exciting and even more powerful supernatural "underground Church" will emerge in 2011. The true Church is much smaller than many think it is. And true apostles and prophets will emerge within this true underground Church. Essentially, a nameless and faceless core, these foundational ministries will re-direct their efforts away from their so called networks, and will devote themselves to returning to the local Church level where their greatest effect and spiritual impact on the Body of Christ will be realized. Know your Bible.
10. Prize! God gave me this verse for literally every Believer worldwide for 2011. "I press toward the goal (in 2011) for the PRIZE of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Remember that you have been apprehended by God, for God. Let's all forget about those things that are behind, and reach forward (in 2011) for those things which are ahead. There is an eternal prize awaiting you! Know your Bible.
11. Pearl! Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price. He is your ultimate reward for 2011. He is your Master and you serve Him and Him alone for 2011! Make 2011 the year in which you live for Him again without reservation. It is time to sell everything (figuratively speaking) and purchase that Pearl of great price in 2011 and beyond! Amen! Know your Bible.
Beloved, I think you get my point: Know your Bible!
Hope this helps,
Dennis Cramer
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