Faith, Current Events
Veritéetfeu
Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the ...

As one who has enjoyed content by both Allie Beth Stuckey and Melissa Dougherty, it was nice to see the two women chat it up during a recent episode of Stuckey’s podcast Relatable. In summary, the episode focused mostly on Dougherty’s new book, her journey from New Ageism to Christ and her take on the various false teachings that have crept into the Church. Yet, the episode took an interesting turn in its final ten minutes during a segment entitled, “Prosperity Gospel in the Black Church”. 

As Dougherty concluded her thoughts on the “little gods” doctrine, a false, word of faith teaching that ascribes innate divinity to all mankind, Stuckey inquired: 

“Can I ask something? It’s gonna be controversial,” she acknowledged. “This seems to be especially prevalent in majority Black churches.

“There’s a lot of prosperity preaching, but [also] a lot of…’You are divine. You are a queen…a goddess…something special.’ I don’t know if you’ve ever talked about the roots of that, or why that is?”

Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”
Podcast Episode, Politics, Faith
Veritéetfeu
S4:E8 Why I Didn't Vote for Kamala Harris

Host Veritéetfeu shares why she didn't vote for Kamala Harris and encourages fellow Christians to remain faithful to Christ no matter their candidate of choice.

S4:E8 Why I Didn't Vote for Kamala Harris
Faith, Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”

In response to the May 11, 2022 Senate vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified abortion nationwide, allowed abortion through the ninth month of pregnancy and for which 49 out of 50 Senate Democrats voted in favor, Pastor Tom Buck tweeted the following:

“In light of today’s vote by Democrats to legalize abortion until the moment of birth, we are rapidly reaching the point that voting for a Democrat should be a matter or church discipline.” 

I believe Pastor Buck’s words were meant in jest, but some on his thread found them to be spot on and long overdue. 

“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”
Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

In 2018, I penned an article making a case against the social justice movement entitled, “Social Justice: Why Jesus Didn’t Pursue It + Why Christians Shouldn’t Fight for It”. It was a well-received piece, namely among my Christian conservative friends, and it served as a resource for those who discerned the burgeoning movement was problematic, but had trouble precisely articulating why this was so. Honestly, before writing that piece I, too, struggled with offering a precise, Biblical case for how something that, on the surface, sounded so good was ultimately quite evil. 

Years later, I’ve found myself similarly positioned regarding Christian Nationalism, the latest problematic movement seeking to take root in America and in the Church. 

Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends
Podcast Episode, Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
S4E6: "Christians Who Vote Democrat Should ...

In this episode of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu examines the Scriptures to determine how the Body of Christ should address Christians who vote Democrat.  

S4E6: "Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be..."

Faith

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Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”

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Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”

As one who has enjoyed content by both Allie Beth Stuckey and Melissa Dougherty, it was nice to see the two women chat it up during a recent episode of Stuckey’s podcast Relatable. In summary, the episode focused mostly on Dougherty’s new book, her journey from New Ageism to Christ and her take on the various false teachings that have crept into the Church. Yet, the episode took an interesting turn in its final ten minutes during a segment entitled, “Prosperity Gospel in the Black Church”. 

As Dougherty concluded her thoughts on the “little gods” doctrine, a false, word of faith teaching that ascribes innate divinity to all mankind, Stuckey inquired: 

“Can I ask something? It’s gonna be controversial,” she acknowledged. “This seems to be especially prevalent in majority Black churches.

“There’s a lot of prosperity preaching, but [also] a lot of…’You are divine. You are a queen…a goddess…something special.’ I don’t know if you’ve ever talked about the roots of that, or why that is?”

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“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”

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“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”

In response to the May 11, 2022 Senate vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified abortion nationwide, allowed abortion through the ninth month of pregnancy and for which 49 out of 50 Senate Democrats voted in favor, Pastor Tom Buck tweeted the following:

“In light of today’s vote by Democrats to legalize abortion until the moment of birth, we are rapidly reaching the point that voting for a Democrat should be a matter or church discipline.” 

I believe Pastor Buck’s words were meant in jest, but some on his thread found them to be spot on and long overdue. 

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S4E4: Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

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S4E4: Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu discusses concerns with Christian Nationalism and poses thoughtful questions to leaders and supporters of the movement. 

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S4E3: The Age of Accountability, God’s Sovereignty + the Gospel

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S4E3: The Age of Accountability, God’s Sovereignty + the Gospel

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this Subscriber Engagement edition of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu and Truth + Fire subscribers recap the 2023 G3 Conference, engage in Q&A and discuss “the age of accountability” through the lens of God’s sovereignty and the Gospel. This episode was recorded in September 2023 before a live audience in Atlanta, Georgia. *Listen now on Spotify via the link below, Apple Podcasts or other podcast streaming platforms.

This episode addresses sensitive themes concerning miscarriage, abortion and infant mortality. Listener discretion is advised. 

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S4E2: Why I Left Social Media

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S4E2: Why I Left Social Media

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

It’s been about a year since host Veritéetfeu deactivated her social media platforms. In this revealing episode, she discusses her social media departure, lessons learned and she updates listeners on what she’s been up to in the meantime.

Articles mentioned in this episode

Something in the Milk Ain’t Clean: Christian Influencers to Leave in 2023

‘For I Resolved to Know Nothing’ About Israel-Palestine

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Mental Illness Is Real...But It Isn't True

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Mental Illness Is Real...But It Isn't True

Thanks to John MacArthur’s recent comments on mental illness, and the controversy that ensued thereafter, I’ve felt compelled to further explore this topic through the lens of Scripture.  

Understandably, MacArthur’s take that “there’s no such thing” as mental illness is not sitting well with many, especially those who personally struggle with mental illness or who have the charge of caring for someone who does. 

I know his commentary certainly gave me pause when I first heard it. 

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For I 'Resolved to Know Nothing' About Israel-Palestine

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For I 'Resolved to Know Nothing' About Israel-Palestine

Until recently, I’ve opted not to speak on the Israel-Palestine conflict in any public capacity: not on any of my platforms, not on social media, not at social gatherings, and especially not at work!

While the conflict predates my existence, it’s been an especially contentious topic since October 7, 2023 - the day Hamas led a coordinated, surprise attack against Israel. As others rushed to social media and traditional media spaces to voice their take on the matter, I decided to remain silent - not because I had nothing to say, but because I doubted my ability to engage the topic competently and graciously. I also feared the backlash and “cancellation” that would surely come to me for expressing deep concerns for, as well as sharp criticisms of, parties on both sides.

Nevertheless, a recent conversation with a coworker gave me a new perspective on the topic, and it finally emboldened me to publicly speak on the matter as much as the Lord would allow. 

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Should Christians "Beg Off” Alistair Begg?

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Should Christians "Beg Off” Alistair Begg?

With more than 50 years of faithful preaching of the Scriptures and zero public scandals, Pastor Begg had certainly earned my unofficial designation as a “solid” celebrity pastor. However, his recent handling of a cultural matter countered a Biblical worldview, and this was not at all consistent with the reputation that has long preceded him. 

Which begs the question that many have raised in recent weeks: What are we, as Believers, now to do with Alistair Begg?

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Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Christian Influencers to Leave in 2023

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Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Christian Influencers to Leave in 2023

Since publishing the original SITMAC series in 2018, I’ve received several requests to write another installment. Admittedly, I didn’t believe one would be necessary because, as my logic went, by exposing the up and coming protégés of the old guard (see Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, etc), it should be easy to sniff out other false and extremely problematic preachers and pastors by association. Those birds all seemed to flock together, so writing about yet another member of their coop felt redundant. 

What I didn’t consider at the time, however, was the role social media was beginning to play in platforming charlatans who don’t necessarily have ties to the old guard. I also didn’t consider how, thanks to social media, false teachers and problematic brothers (and sisters) no longer need a pulpit or a local church to sow error and confusion before a mass of God’s people.