Steven Furtick recently released his new book, "(Un)Qualified". Given the context around his book, I don't think he quite understands what describing himself as unqualified means (That he shouldn't be holding the pastoral office). This new book has to bring in the question: Is this sloppy wording, or is this an unintentional mention of guilt?
- Not unlike the last three "Concerns" posts (And possibly all of my future ones), if we were to assume that he was a sound teacher, he would be breaking the first degree of separation many times. He has , , and had Joyce Meyer preach at his Church.
- He has taken on the title "Super Apostle" (Source). There are two major issues with him doing this. The first issue is that the office of Apostle is closed. There were only 14 apostles throughout history and none of them were named "Steven Furtick". There are no modern apostles and no way for the qualifications for an apostle to be met these days. The second issue is that the title "Super Apostle", in 2 Corinthians 11, referred to false teachers. Verse 13 (ESV) says, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ."
- Nearly every sermon that Furtick has preached has been preached with the hermeutic of Narcigesis (That is, reading yourself into a Biblical text). He has been dubbed the King of Narcigesis because of this, and you can find many examples. Here is one on Moses leading the people out of Egypt. Here is one about the resurrection of Jarius's daughter. Here is a particularly blasphemous one where he reads himself into the story of Jesus's birth.
- He opposes deepness in doctrine. In , he has said, ".. If that doesn't get you excited and you need the doctrines of grace as defined by John Calvin to excite you, you in the wrong church. Let me get a phone book. There are 720 churches in Charlotte. I am sure we can find one where you can stuff your face until you're so obese spiritually that you can't even move." In Steven Furtick's sermon series entitled "Confessions of a Pastor", he said, "We don’t offer different kinds of Bible studies because it gets in the way of evangelism. We don’t teach doctrine because it gets in the way of evangelism." (Source). Ironically, evangelism and the Gospel are doctrines. In fact, what Furtick said is a doctrinal statement.
- In that same clip as above (The first one), he falsely states that the weekly gathering of the church is intended for the lost. While each church should be supporting evangelistic encounters for the lost, the local congregational gatherings are for Christians.
- On Resurrection Sunday one year, a special needs boy was kicked out of his church. When the mother of this boy offered to help set up a special needs ministry, she was rejected, and to this day we have not seen any apology (Only excuses). ().
- He has supported women in a pastoral ministry. In , he has Pastrix Christine Caine speaking at his church. However, in 1 Timothy 2:12-13, we are told, "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve."
- Furtick has said, "We don’t teach from Books of the Bible because it gets in the way of evangelism." I think this speaks for itself. (Source)
- Steven Furtick teaches the heretical Prosperity Gospel. He has taught this in a particular clip (Found ) where he narcigeted Jesus feeding the 5,000. This isn't just error, it is heresy and it means that Furtick is a false teacher.
Based off of these points, I can't see any other conclusion than that Furtick truly is unqualified, and that disqualification is because he does not teach sound doctrine. Steven Furtick teaches for shameful gain the things he ought to not teach. His ministry is to be avoided, not endorsed.
Authors: Learning the Path - Blog
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