Is the "promise keepers" movement Bible-based?

I. How should the Word of God be handled?

     A. Study & Discipleship - 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Tim chp *4*; 6:20,21; 2 Tim 1:13,14; 2:2; 3:1-4:5
     B. Prayer & Trust - 1 Cor 2:13; Prov 3:5,6; 30:5,6; John 14:26
( above vss. are only a partial list; there are many more! )
II. What are the consequences of MIS-handling the Word?

     A. book-end promises -
          the beginning of the written word---Dt 12:32
          the conclusion of the written word--Rev 22:18,19
     B. Matt 22:29; *23*; John 5:38-47; Gal 1:6-9; 2 Pet 1:20-2:22; 3:15,16

III. How does PK handle the Word?

( the following is taken from the pk's own brochure )
     A. Let's start with their main verse, 2 pet 1:3,4. They make the statement that these vss. give us the ability to "make and keep spirit lead, biblically based promises". But, when you read the vss, we see that they are about God's promises to us! What do these vss have to do with us making promises?
     B. 2 Cor 1:20. Another supposed "proof-text" on promise making; again, read the vs.! "no matter how many promises God has made...." What does that have do to with us promising?
     C. Num 23:19. This one is used to tell us that we should keep our promises. Hah! look at the comparison! " God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and then not fulfill?" This vs impugns us; it does not empower us to make promises. ( are you noticing a pattern here? )

     In fact, this movement seeks to add to righteous faith, seven promises that will make you a "godly man of integrity". Show me even one of these in the bible. Show me one place where anyone became "more godly" by promising anything! I haven't been able to find any, but in searching I have come across MANY vss that seem to indicate just the opposite. Read Matt 5:33-37; Heb 6:13-18; James 4:13-16; 5:12; Gal 3:3-5

     Should we possibly overlook this stuff, and just come together in unity? I mean, can't we all just get along? Let's look at Paul's example in dealing with the Judiazers. first we'll look at what they believed....

     For this reason, Paul condemed all who preach another gospel 'doomed to hell'[anathema -331 Strong's] (Gal 1:6-10)

?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

     Over such a small thing?!? What gives?
     The answer is quite simple. At the point of trying to add something to the gospel, the line MUST be drawn! Galatians 2 thru the end is excellent reading on the subject!
     'christian psychologist' Gary Smalley is quoted as saying " We need our brothers to help keep our promises " ( KGNW On-line w/Stewart White, live, Seattle pk,summer '95 ). What does Jer 17:5 say about that?
     Finally, in keeping with the title of this paper, I must conclude that the answer is a definate NO. For anyone who has checked out this organization, that answer will not surprize you. It has roots in the same place as the vineyard movement (ongoing revelation), the Toronto blessing (holy laughter), and the kansas city prophets (look them up!). All these movements have one thing in common, they don't care how the bible is handled, so it is not unexpected to see psychologists, false teachers, and twisters of scripture embracing & being embraced by this movement.
     If this short paper does not raise some serious questions in the minds of believers...I don't know what will.

It boils down to who you want to believe, God....or men?


As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!


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