Interview with David Henke of Watchman Fellowship
The following is an interview between David Drago (a midwestern pastor who received some training through Stevens School of the Bible in Lenox MA and later left) and David Henke of Watchman Fellowship:
Dave Drago: I had the privilege of speaking with David Henke of Watchman Fellowship, an independent Christian research and apologetics ministry focusing on new religious movements, cults, the occult and the New Age. They serve the Christian and secular community as a resource for cult education, counseling, and non-coercive intervention. David Henke has been monitoring the situation on FACTNet (a forum about GGWO) since February, 2004, and has graciously allowed me to share our conversation.
Dave Drago: When we use the label 'cult' what are we really saying?
David Henke: There are two areas we need to consider, behavioral and theological. For instance, the Mormons have many theological heresies that label them as a cult. And, behaviorally they are very spiritually abusive, because they teach that a husband will grant or deny a wife access into heaven based upon how she serves him. The Universalist/Unitarians on the other hand are theologically a cult but behaviorally they are totally benign.
Dave Drago: Is there a test we can apply to discern what constitutes a cult?
David Henke: Yes, when I teach at local churches the question I like to ask is, "Do you know what basic math is?" Basic math is addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. You can discern a cult using these four patterns:
ADDING TO THE WORD OF GOD
The first pattern apparent in all cults is the habit of adding to the Bible instead of accepting it as the sole authority of one's faith.
SUBTRACTING FROM THE PERSON OF CHRIST
The second and most important pattern to look for is the practice of subtracting from the person of Jesus Christ, usually by denying the fact that He is God.
MULTIPLICATION OF SALVATION REQUIREMENTS
The Word of God plainly teaches that salvation is a gift that God offers sinful man. There is nothing anyone can do to earn it, it is gift to be accepted or rejected.
DIVIDING THE LOYALTY OF THE FOLLOWER
The fourth and final pattern found in the cults is the practice of dividing the loyalty of the follower between God and an organization or individual.
( http://www.watchman.org/cults/sepexpo.htm contains a more thorough explanation)
Dave Drago: Could you walk me through an evaluation of GGWO based on this four point pattern?
David Henke: Yes, I would be glad to.
ADDING TO THE WORD OF GOD:
GGWO does not add to the Word of God, they accept it as the sole authority of one's faith. Although the leadership's bizarre and private interpretation of delegated authority and no accountability of leadership is unbiblical, this is an interpretive difference that is problematic but does not constitute a cult.
SUBTRACTING FROM THE PERSON OF CHRIST:
GGWO does not do this. They teach that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This is completely orthodox.
MULTIPLICATION OF SALVATION REQUIREMENTS:
GGWO does not do this. They teach that salvation is a gift that God offers sinful man. There is nothing anyone can do to earn it, it is gift to be accepted or rejected.
DIVIDING THE LOYALTY OF THE FOLLOWER:
GGWO does practice this. This is clearly manifested in the doctrine of delegated authority, the discrediting of those who leave or who disagree, and the one pastor emphasis for every believer.
Dave Drago: Based upon your expert opinion of cults and abusive churches, how would you classify GGWO?
David Henke: I would classify GGWO as an abusive church. I base this on their twisted interpretations of delegated authority, lack of accountability, and wake of members who have been clearly hurt by the abuses of their leadership. My advice is to leave and find a healthy church if the leadership will not address their error by repentance and stopping the teaching of delegated authority and no accountability of the leadership.
Dave Drago: I hope to see the leadership confess their sins before the church, repent of their sins and forsake their unhealthy teachings of delegated authority, no accountability and put in place a servant-leadership model to prevent this from happening anymore.
Dave Drago: David Henke, thank you for your time and help in this matter. You have a wonderful and needed ministry. Keep up the good work!
