A friend of mine was sick. Cancer. Doctors said his days were numbered. He then attended a certain church led by a pastor famous for her gift of healing (as per the testimonies).
Certain leaders of this (new) church (he attended) visited his residence in Subang Jaya. They told him outright that one of the antique furnitures brought back from China was demonic and was a source of a curse which was blocking his healing. The primary reason was because there were two dragons carved and sitting on its sides. This was obviously a sign of Satanic construction.
The piece of antique was a $7,000 collectors' item.
But after some agonising and rolling eye-balls, the family agreed to destroy it. Some protested, but the majority agreed. They physically used a hammer to break it apart and dumped it somewhere.
Also, the leaders of this church are convinced that if doctors say that people cannot be healed, they are committing sin and are ignorant of the power and purposes of God to heal.
This friend of mine died the night after the antique destroyed.
Apart from the question of "why God allows cancer", other questions arise: Should we go around smashing and discarding items we think are a source of demonic influence in the house/office? Are we to turn our curse-hunting scanners on everything in our house?
What is the pastoral thing to do for a person clinging on to life?
Posted at 10:01 pm by alwynlau
 | Posted by Alwyn @ 09/24/2007 05:30 PM PDT | |
Anon, thank you for the intense note. Yr story and call for genuine compassion would resonate among many ppl.
On the other hand, I've often found my Pentecostal friends to have been some of the kindest and caring ppl around (and not a few 'traditionalists' to be unkindest).
But I doubt this issue is about pentecostalism or any other denomination but, as you rightly say, it's about compassion - and about caring more about people than we do our 'methods', and our theology.
shalom,
Alwyn |
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| Posted by Anonymous @ 09/24/2007 03:47 AM PDT | |
I thought hard and long about this and wish to share with you that you're not alone in this. My belief in God, took a beating after witnessing the death of my uncle despite the many prayers for him by a number of zealous self-styled disciples of the woman pastor, one of whom, I'm ashamed to say, was my father. There are things I wish to share further, but it is pointless isn't it?
Till today, I often tether on the brink of agnosticism only to come back to radical fundamentalism (burying my head in the sand) just to 'please' my wife, parents and the church.
This is not a plea for help. I've already made up my mind about what I do or do not believe. Just thought that Christians should lower on their charismatic / pentecostal rhetoric and stock up on genuine compassion. |
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| Posted by Alex Tang @ 09/16/2007 03:25 AM PDT | |
| this is what iks many pastors and leaders- being left with the apiritually, emotionally, and intellectually traumantised and guilt-riden members who have attend that church. |
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| Posted by Alwyn @ 09/13/2007 10:41 PM PDT | |
On further reflection, perhaps the 'antique destruction' is simple an extreme form of cleansing that many traditional churches also do, e.g. throwing away altars or charms, etc.
The lady pastor may also be taking to a higher level the idea of evil renunciation, e.g. throwing away sources of sin like sex books, booze, etc.
faith-healing is quite a complex matter...but the thing which really irked our pastor(s) was the fact that THEY had to 'pick up the pieces' after this fren died...the leaders from that new church didn't show up for the funeral. |
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| Posted by Alex Tang @ 09/13/2007 10:20 PM PDT | |
hi Alwyn,
That is a very difficult question. What is a pastoral thing to do when someone is clinging onto life?
The easy answer to to walk alongside them and bring them to the knowledge of God, that death is not something to be feared and sometimes it is okay to let go (Hence the title of my book, A Good Day to Die). It is also the hardest thing to do.
Because we fail to do that, our desperate friends or members seek out that particular pastor because she offer 'hope'. There are many testimonies on her websites. I wondered how about the thousands of testimonies that did not improve, died or their conditions worsened because they stopped taking medications as she directed. One day she will have to face the untold damges she has done. May God have mercy. |
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| Posted by Sivin @ 09/12/2007 12:06 AM PDT | |
the pastoral thing to do is to genuinely listen, pray, and discern God's voice in this tragedy ... be "Jesus" to those who are hurting and not add injury to those who are suffering.
and for goodness sake, drop the triumphalism and humble ourselves. |
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| Posted by Barbsie @ 09/11/2007 06:11 PM PDT | |
First-up, I hope your friend made peace withe the Lord before passing and that the leaders of the Church encouraged him so.
Secondly, yes - sometimes "things" become the physical form for other "things" to cling on to. Dude - I've been living with this since I was like 4. It's hard to believe, but believe you will when you see a light switch come on by itself just after you put it off.
Thirdly, in times of trouble - always look within. Most times (from what I hear from my dad's "escapades") it is always hurt and hatred that 'blocks' healing. And when I say healing, it's the healing of the soul, i.e. the barrier from us finding peace with God.
Lastly - I must be going mad or severely stressed to be able to leave such a profound comment on such a religious matter *grin* |
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| Posted by peiling @ 09/11/2007 11:12 AM PDT | |
| I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. These 'pastors' are the very satanic apparel instead of the antique item. What a shame to the Lord's Name. |
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