“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-2
One of the reasons why the Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13, (often known as the ‘Love Chapter’), was to contrast the practice of the false teachers with the true teachers in the Corinth church. The false teachers appealed and persuaded people in the church with mighty claims, wonderful knowledge and charismatic characteristics. These “servants of righteousness” elevated knowledge, revelation, good works, faith, spiritual encounters and other form of gnostic superstitions and principles. They were supposedly “super apostles”, “great teachers” and oracles of Jesus. The equivalent of what we have today is Kong Hee of City Harvest Church and Phil Pringle of the Christian City Church Movement in Sydney Australia.
In past audio segments, we have recorded Kong Hee proudly asserting that he is a Word Faith teacher who is “very positive”, speaks positively and is an “uppety-up kind of person”. However, when you examine his life and the life of Phil Pringle, they do not exhibit the Christian love that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13. Phil Pringle and Kong Hee highly esteem their prophetic callings and prophecies, parading themselves as examples before men as though they “have all faith, so as to move mountains”. Only they have the higher knowledge. Only they have stepped into the realm of faith or the realm of the Holy Spirit. Only God has given them a vision. Only they have unlocked the princples of God that no other Christian has found until now. These men are gnostics. And these were the types of false, unloving men that the Apostle Paul was trying to address in Corinth. Why were they unloving? They had no truth in them.
As we will see below, Kong Hee is no different to the false men in the church in Paul’s day.
PROPHET KONG HEE
Two years ago, Kong Hee spoke at Presence Conference 2011. Before we could hit the ‘record’ button, Kong Hee stood up and prophesied that C3 Church will own the Darling Harbour Convention Center. We managed to record and transcribe the aftermath of his prophecy.
“We’ve got a little bit of time left. So why don’t you just say, “Darling Harbour belongs to C3”. Just stand there right now. Amen! Darling Harbour belongs to C3 movement. Amen! … I just sense that great things are in stored for C3. I just sense it. Pastor Phil has been such a blessing to people all around the world. Asia. North America. Australia. And I think that it’s time that God’s gonna bless him in such a great way beyond what you can ever imagine. A new season for Doctor Phil Pringle and Pastor Chris. And I just sense that Darling Harbour is in the equation some how. I really sense it Pastor. I really sense it. This place just feels just right. It’s- you know you walk into a place and it just feels like church – and you know that this belongs to you.
I’m just excited! I’m excited I say it! So lets just give the Lord a big clap! Ohhh!” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference, 00:07, 2011.
The sermon we have recorded and transcribed is breathtakingly bad. We have decided to expose SOME of the deceitful teaching behind his sermon. Your critical observations and comments would be greatly appreciated.
When reading the segments of the transcript, look up the bible passages Kong Hee uses yourself and ask yourself these questions:
- Why isn’t Kong Hee reading the bible?
- Does the bible actually teach what Kong Hee is saying?
- Does God honestly say what Kong says God says in the bible?
Here is part of the transcript,
“And once again I want to thank you again for your hospitality and your love. The offerings that you collected yesterday was just amazing. Thank you so much.” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference, 00:48, 2011.
“I’ve been a Christian now for thirty six years. And I’ve come to a realisation that faith, vision and dreams, they’re all synonymous. When you have faith, you always walk in visions and dreams. And when you have a vision and a dream, it will be so great it requires faith for you to carry it out. And if they are not scary or risky, then there is no need for you and I to trust in the Lord.” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference 2011, 03:47, 2011.
So if you do not have a vision or a dream but confess you are a Christian, you’re not saved? Thanks for clarifying Kong.
Folks. If Kong Hee honestly believes “faith, vision and dreams” are “synonymous”, then we are dealing with a false Christian. Christianity has never taught this. More importantly, God has never taught this in his Word. Kong Hee is elevating his dreams, visions and experiences above God’s Word. What you have witnessed already is Kong Hee lying to people. In fact, what Kong Hee says next is flat out dishonest:
“And God heard Abraham like a wonderful father. He probably laughed in his heart: “Abraham, don’t be so negative and so fearful. Don’t stay inside your small little tent. Step out of your tent and look up into the sky and tell me, what do you see? Your tent is too small. You are too limited in space and time in your vision. You are living in a pure three dimensional world. Step out into the kingdom of God. Look into the sky.” So Abraham came out and looked out into the sky… Suddenly something great began to happen. Abraham stepped out of his three dimensional world and stepped into the realm of the Holy Spirit. Into the Presence™ of God. He started to have hope as his mind began to expand…
His mind turned from very negative to very positive. He began to dream… He was shaken with visions and dreams…
And his words began to change and became very positive. He lost the vocabulary of negative thinking. “I’m a Father of many nations. My name is no more Abram but Abraham. My wife is no more Sarai but Sarah. I’m now a different person.” Suddenly, he was completely changed from negative Abraham to positive Abraham. From fearful Abraham to a bold Abraham. From a dreamless Abraham to a man full of visions and dreams! What a transformation!
Who made it happen? God of course! It was God! But how did God make that a reality?
God caused Abraham to step OUT of his tent…
In Presence 2011, you’re going to step out of your tent and step into a realm of faith, into a realm of the Holy Spirit, the Presence™ of God.” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference 2011, 1:00, 2011.
Really Kong? God said all that to Abraham? Are you lying to Christians again? Did Abraham really speaking positive things in that moment saying, “I’m a Father of many nations. My name is no more Abram but Abraham. My wife is no more Sarai but Sarah. I’m now a different person”? Are you sure you are not making stuff up again?
GNOSTIC KONG HEE
Kong Hee said, “Abraham stepped out of his three dimensional world and stepped into the realm of the Holy Spirit“. No where in scripture is it EVER taught that Abraham stepped into the REALM of the Holy Spirit. Nor is it taught that we are to step into the realm of the Holy Spirit. At conversion the Spirit baptises us into Christ’s death, raises is into new life with Christ and we find ourselves in the Kingdom of God.
The Spirit gives us a new nature. We are created new creatures in Christ and are made heavenly citizens. Therefore, we HATE our sin and are convicted of it daily as new creations in Christ.
But the “realm of the Holy Spirit”? Observe what Kong Hee says happens when Abraham stepped into the “realm of the Holy Spirit”:
“[Abraham] started to have hope as his mind began to expand”.
This isn’t the god of Christianity speaking. Jesus didn’t purchase us by his blood so we can get fat heads. The roots of this deceptive teaching by Kong Hee is GNOSTICISM. This is when the teacher ignores the context and replaces the objective exegetical perspective of scripture with their own subjective mystical perspective. Gnostics always use biblical terms but have different definitions for them. (Try getting Kong Hee or Phil Pringle to define ‘faith’, ‘love’, ‘dreams’, ‘vision’, ‘blessing’ or ‘tithe’.) Their definitions change when it suits them to bewitch their audiences.
However, gnosticicm elevates wisdom, knowledge, imagination and alternate realms or layers of reality. As a result, they are continually playing with people’s realities, thus playing or brainwashing people’s minds with their false teaching. Often the one peddling gnostic teachings supposedly ‘enters’ into spiritual realities and returns to give people the secrets to enter these divine realms for selfish benefits. This is what Kong Hee is doing in this sermon.
In the above Genesis account, Kong Hee is trying to extract hidden secrets or promises in the text that no one has ever seen before. You can imagine how this hoodwinks people into seeing how unique, contemporary and revolutionary Kong Hee is to the ‘church of today’ by using such an approach. This is incredibly dangerous since Kong is not encouraging people in this instance to read the scriptures . He is simply lying to them about what the bible does not say.
“But God through challenges and difficulties and sufferings and trials and tribulation is forcing us to step out of our tent and look into our sky. Now what is our sky? Our sky is the Word of God! It’s the holy bible! And what are the stars? The stars are the thousands upon thousands of promises in the Word of God, written for you and I that if we are able to look at them, we are able to think God’s thoughts. We begin to see God’s visions. We begin to have God’s faith. And we begin to speak God’s confession.” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference 2011, 9:50, 2011.
Does Genesis teach us that the sky is the bible and the stars are the “thousands upon thousands promises of God”?
No. Kong Hee is lying. Actually what he is engaging in is diabolical. We say this since the greatest promise the bible stresses is THE Promise: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Is this promise mentioned by Kong Hee in this sermon? No. Jesus is watered down to nothing and the individual is encouraged to swim among the thousands of convoluted and obscure ‘promises of God’.
God actually wants us to catch the vision of the gospel and hold to the faith of Christ and His faithful work on Calvary. Why is Kong Hee distracting Christians from the essential promise given to us in Christ? This flies in the face of the Apostle Paul’s rebuke to the Galatians.
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?” Galatians 3:1-1
Now take note of Kong Hee’s double speak and deception.
“From a dreamless Abraham to a man full of visions and dreams! What a transformation!
Who made it happen? God of course! It was God! But how did God make that a reality?
God caused Abraham to step OUT of his tent…”
Who made it happen? God of course! … But who is going to make it happen for them at Presence Conference 2011?
“In Presence 2011, you’re going to step out of your tent and step into a realm of faith, into a realm of the Holy Spirit, the Presence™ of God.”
Oh! YOU ARE going make your reality come to be when YOU step out of your tent… Didn’t Kong Hee say that God caused Abraham to… step out of his tent? See the double speak? See the deception? Not only can he not even read properly, he can’t even teach what he supposedly learnt from God without contradicting himself. Is this not delusion? How is Kong Hee even a pastor?
We will come back to the topic of ‘Abraham’ later when Kong Hee later in his sermon parades himself as ‘Abraham’ over his CHC movement.
KONG HEE “THE TALLEST AND STRONGEST”?
“From the weakest boy in class, I became one of the tallest and strongest in the whole school.” – Kong Hee, 13:38
Can anyone confirm this to be true? We know Kong Hee exaggerates. Is this just another lie to justify his false biblical claims?
KONG HEE BELITTLING HIS WIFE
“My wife is a bold, bold girl. And she say, “Come on Kong! Just pray for him. He’s asking for prayer. Come on! Pray in Jesus name! He will heal the sick! Come on pray!” [Audience laughs]
I look at her- I- I look at her and say, “Woman, just shut up! Don’t you know- [Audience laughs] – Corinthians say, Women sit behind. Don’t talk.” [Audience laughs]
“Come on! Be an Asian wife! Know your place!” Woo! Haha!” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference, 16:14, 2010.
Is this any way a pastor should speak about his wife behind the pulpit?
KONG HEE, THE ABRAHAM OF CHC, PROPHET PRINGLE & THE LIE
“In 2005, the Lord spoke to me. He’s gonna give us a bigger arena in a down town area. I was thinking, “That’s impossible! I mean that’s impossible! God, you must have made a mistake! Singapore is land-locked. I mean we are so small!” … So I thought that’s impossible! And land price in Singapore? It’s the second most densely populated country in the world. And land price is so sky-rocketing high, we are more expensive then Manhattan New York city. I said, “God! Even if there is land, I can’t afford it.” So that was my thinking.
And then 2008, I was attending Dr Cho’s fiftieth anniversary celebration. It was at the Seoul Olympic Stadium. I tell you it’s just amazing! One church; one hundred thousand people in the stadium; twenty thousand people outside the stadium; and it’s a normal working day. … I was so blessed and shaken… That whole week, the Spirit of Faith overwhelmed me. And I was in my hotel room and I was weeping and I was crying. I said, “God! Forgive me for my lack of faith. God forgive me for not trusting you. If you can do this in Korea, surely you can do this in Singapore.”
And then the Lord began to speak to me. In my hotel room God said, “Kong! I want you step to the edge of your balcony and draw the curtain.” And I drew the curtain. And I could see the beautiful sky line of the city of Seoul. “So I want you to begin to count the stars.” And I started counting… “What do you believe?”
I quickly look in the bible and I came across one of the promises of God. 1 Chronicles 22:5.
“The house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all the nations.”
And all of a sudden I remembered the Word that Dr Phil Pringle gave me:
“Kong! SunTec City is built for you.”
I prayed, “God, I’m going to believe you. That you’re going to get me a place like Yuido Full Gospel Church in a downtown area just right across the national assembly… right in the heart of the city”.
And the Lord spoke to me,
“I will give you a building in the market place, for the market place to penetrate the market place.”
I went back and I began to let it consume my- every single day, I’m thinking of SunTec City. I began to visualise us worshiping in SunTec City. I began to speak out, “You’re going to give us a place”. I began to believe with all my heart- is going to be famous throughout all the world. I just believe it! I tell you, last month we had- we ran in our first service at SunTec City for the glory of God. Come on lets give the Lord a big hand! Oh give the Lord a great shout! Hallelujah!
Why must God command Abraham to come out of the tent? Because the flesh wants to stay in the tent. It’s always easy and cosy to be in your small little tent. But when you crawl out of your fleshly tent, everything all of a sudden becomes risky and dangerous, shaky and scary. But you need to count the stars. And you need to find your star.” – Kong Hee, 19:14.
If Kong Hee claimed that God said the above, is Kong Hee making God out to be a liar? Did God want Kong Hee to be an Abraham over his CHC movement? What do you think?
It is worth noting what Kong Hee said “Prophet” Phil Pringle said to him:
“Kong! SunTec City is built for you.”
And now, Prophet Kong Hee felt obliged return the favour to Phil Pringle:
“So why don’t you just say, “Darling Harbour belongs to C3”. Just stand there right now. Amen! Darling Harbour belongs to C3 movement. Amen! … Pastor Phil has been such a blessing to people all around the world… And I think that it’s time that God’s gonna bless him in such a great way beyond what you can ever imagine.”
Is the Darling Harbour Sydney Convention Center owned by Phil Pringle yet? No. Is it true that God built SunTec City for Kong Hee? Well Kong Hee said this,
“I tell you, last month we had- we ran in our first service at SunTec City for the glory of God. Come on lets give the Lord a big hand! Oh give the Lord a great shout! Hallelujah!”
So Kong Hee has made it clear that God built SunTec City for him to own. He also tried to make it clear to those attending Presence Conference that he now owned SunTec City.
KONG HEE LYING ABOUT GOD
“But this afternoon, I am here to tell you that the bible is full of stars. And you have to find your star. Every day, you need to look in the heavens and start counting your star. And keep counting. And keep counting. And keep counting until God says, “STOP! This star is for you. This promise in the bible is just for you. Don’t stop until you have found the promises of God that is just for you. And that star will make you a star in life and a star in the Kingdom of God”.
Come on, give the Lord a big hand!” – Kong Hee, 25:13.
Really Kong? God sent you to tell everyone, “That the bible is full of stars” and that “YOU have to find YOUR star”?
“And you know whenever the promises of God comes to me, I record it… I put it down. The promise of God in the last eleven months. For example I have this missionary from Sri Lanka gave me Psalms 40 verse 1-3. South African Ambassador Zamalla McKina [?] gave me Isaiah 45:2. These are my promises. Kevin Loo gave me Isaiah 49:14-25 from New Living Translation. You know just different ones. Pastor Che Ahn, from LA gave me Deuteronomy 31:8. This morning Ps Bill Johnson gave me Psalm 35. Just wrote it down. And just read them. I just remember them. These are my promises. These are my steps.” – Kong Hee, 26:53.
Now to those going, “Why is this quote necessary”, please understand that Kong Hee has been travelling to ministries to misrepresent the investigations and the court procedures in Singapore. He presents himself as a martyr being persecuted by a pagan government. Even his mentor Phil Pringle plays this card when Kong Hee speaks at Presence Conference. However, Pringle has stated in the past that Kong Hee goes to other churches to gain ‘support’. If it’s the type of support that C3 gives him, we know that Kong Hee is gaining financial support to bypass his own countries legislation so that he can finance expensive lawyers.
So if you are a reader on C3CW, we could do with your help. Has Kong Hee spoken at the above churches in the past three years? How did he present his circumstances at these churches? Did these churches financially support him? If you have any information, please email us at C3churchwatch@hotmail.com.
KONG EXPOSES YONGGI CHO AS FALSE PROPHET?
And finally, it seems Kong Hee has accidentally exposed his top mentor Yonggi CHo as being a false teacher.
“Will you just look at me for a moment. Dr. Cho prophesied and laid hands on me, that my whole ministry will go up a whole new level. That my attendance is going to skyrocket. God’s going to be favoured by the likes I have not seen. Less then twelve hours later, my whole world collapsed. I lost members. I’m publicly humiliated. Seems like my whole world has gone. I spend all my weeks- I’m clinging onto the promises of God. Oh hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And you know what? From one fellow pilgrim, from one fellow traveller to another fellow traveller- how many of you, you feel like me?” – Kong Hee, 31:55.
So there you have it. Kong Hee not only exposes his mentor Phil Pringle as a false prophet, he also exposes his other mentor David Yonggi Cho as a false prophet. Kong Hee is the result, the fruit of their false gnostic teachings. And it is these three men that the early Apostles labeled as false teachers. It is the Apostles of Jesus Christ, our forefathers, that pronounced eternal damnation on Kong Hee, Phil Pringle and David Yonggi for preaching “any other gospel”. Yet we tolerate them doing the utmost damage to the body of Christ for their own personal glory? Where is that in the bible? To put this sermon in perspective – who is the one glorified?
Don’t tell us these men love the body of Christ. The body of Christ is being purposely mislead by these liars. These false prophets. They care only for themselves. As we saw, Christ was not glorified in this sermon.
Now only these three remain: Dave, Phil and Kong. And the greatest of these is Kong.
Truly, truly, when falsehood is paraded as truth before the church, you are left with a clanging Kong devoid of any love and integrity.
These men preach doctrines of demons. They are false prophets and teachers, by any bibllical standard. But worst of all they deny the person and work of Jesus Christ and blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Bill Johnson and David Yhonggi Cho are also very dangerous and influential. This article confirms the overwhleming evidence that already exists. They damn themselves with their own words and ‘guilt by promotion’.
Thank you for speaking out so strongly against these spiritually dangerous men. There is such a temptation for bitterness and sarcasm, and I think you resisted it well in this article. It is time that the Body of Christ completely reject such men as brethren, and such churches as ‘Christian’. We need to fear offending God far more than bowing to the charge of being devisive or judgemental. Defending the Gospel is by nature divisive, and judgemental.
No doubt it comes at great cost, so I pray that the Lord will uphold you and keep you speaking the truth in love in Christ’s service.
Also, I would be interested to hear from people here in Australia, either here or through contacting me at my blog. There is such a deafening silence on these issues here in Australia. I can’t really get my head around it.
I’ll have to write a longer reply, but all I can say is that we’ve only known it this way. And that we like being told what ours ears itch for.
This is feel-good, unbiblical preaching…..sounds like new age and is very humanistic……we MUST stay close to the Word….must NOT receive teaching that makes up stuff to suit mans latest idea.
I am from Australia and I’m VERY concerned!
@ Simeon…I understand what you are saying, and look forward to hearing more. I too had the same ears, and had no idea of the error I was believing in my last church, with a pastor I trusted. I also understand that there are many who have concerns, but have no avenue to articulate them. I guess what baffles me is that I know people who are aware, or at least are becoming aware of the seriousness of the situation. It seems time to unite our voices here in Australia, and not just in an anonymous way.
Those of us here in Australia who can effectively share the message of concern with other believers perhaps need to commit to connecting and making it happen. There are pastors and experts in apolgetics and discernment (some of whom have sites linked here!) who are willing to come and speak at Australian churches. I have asked 6 pastors/authors personally, who have agreed to come for no fee except the airfare and someone to host them and feed them while they are here. I am not talking big conferences, just churches hosting speakers. There are churches here who will hear the message and take action, and become even more of a shining light in the darkness.
What do you think of this? Have you or C3CW had similar thoughts? Feel free to email me anytime, as not all conversations can be carried on in the public sphere.
@ disgusted – feel free to come and contribute at The Narrowing Path anytime. I really do think the brethren here in Australia need to act more decisively. I have felt this burden greatly in the past few months, and have prayed a lot about it. I do know a couple of pastors here in Melbourne (including my own pastor, a friend of his and even my retired pastor father) who would be tentatively willing to facilitate a wider engagement with these issues. But we need contacts in other churches. As with Simeon, I welcome emails if that is helpful.
i dont know why anyone would want to go to church its not worth the drama. I personally regret ever going to church
my life would have been so much better if i never stepped inside a church. Church is a bad joke!
Hi annette
Please contact us at C3churchwatch@hotmail.com
” my life would have been so much better if i never stepped inside a church ”
Nope , you stepped in there for a reason, and, although it seems painful at the time, the outcome of this trauma will give evidence of the Lord and his remarkable gift of discernment in your life.
1 James
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
An extraordinary sermon (transcript or audio) on the fatal danger of ‘Useless Religion’, plus an extraordinary portrait of our Almighty God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I pray this will be an encouragement and a source illumination for someone here.
http://fortheloveofhistruth.com/2013/10/22/useless-religion/
@ Annette, perhaps the useless religion outlined in this sermon is the one you have encountered. May I encourage you to read the sermon (or listen – even better) right to the end to discover the real God, and awesome Saviour that is Jesus Christ. If no one has introduced you to him properly, perhaps Don can help. Blessings to you, in Christ’s love. Sherryn
@ Simeon…I just reread your comments and realised what you mean by “we’ve only known it this way”. Perhaps my comment seemed to be directed at the Pentecostal church? Sorry if it seemed that way…it wasn’t specifically! :- ) I have watched Baptist, Anglican and other denominations be overrun by false doctrine and false spirits (including emergent and WOF teachings). It is their silence that troubles me. I refer to unbiblical teachings and practices by any orthodox standards, even orthodox Pentecostals. The issue goes way beyond the current cessationist/continuist debate. It is about dangerous doctrines and practices that both ‘camps’ should condemn and separate out from if necessary – in unity.
It is a source of great sorrow for me, as I see extent of spiritual blindness and the suffering it causes in this world. Praise God he is calling out a people for himself. I just think perhaps each generation, in their own way, underestimates just how narrow the path, strait the gate, and small the ‘remnant’ actually is. It has been a shock to learn that churches are full of unsaved people who have never been truly convicted of their sins, and backslidden Christians who have allowed the world into their hearts. I know, I was one of them!
Yes, evangelical and the orthodox reform churches are also being slowly influenced by false teachings that encourage us to experience the presence of God as in contemplative spirituality ( teachings of Foster and Willard). These experiences are just as subjective and extra biblical as the charismatic ones. Before long, it will be accepted as biblical orthodox teachings. While John MacArthur is very vocal on the charismatics, he seem to be less on contemplative spirituality. I hope he will begin to be just as vocal before it is too late. Altering the state of one’s consciousness is never taught in the bible.
Set Free, what a blessing you are. I am so encouraged to see your eyes opened to the truth. This can be a very lonely path, this narrow road that leads to salvation. I am so glad to have brothers and sisters to accompany me along the way. I feel every day more and more like the Pilgrim in Pilgrim’s Progress…many detours, lots of encouraging characters, some rather dangerous ones, but inevitably leading to a joyful end. As I said to Annette, we have a mighty Saviour in our Lord Jesus Christ. 🙂
i do know Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a very real and personal way. Its just church i have a problem with and the people in church.
Thankyou GO$$$SPELL for your encouragement. Great name, by the way.
First, I’ll establish that I respect and appreciate this site as a place to question the C3 movement and it’s questionable actions.
Now straight to the point, quote:
“So if you do not have a vision or a dream but confess you are a Christian, you’re not saved? Thanks for clarifying Kong.”
How did you get that out of the paragraph you quoted?? please explain.
He doesn’t say anything about salvation in the quote you supplied.
Examining the quote in question:
“And once again I want to thank you again for your hospitality and your love. The offerings that you collected yesterday was just amazing. Thank you so much.” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference, 00:48, 2011.
“I’ve been a Christian now for thirty six years. And I’ve come to a realisation that faith, vision and dreams, they’re all synonymous. When you have faith, you always walk in visions and dreams. And when you have a vision and a dream, it will be so great it requires faith for you to carry it out. And if they are not scary or risky, then there is no need for you and I to trust in the Lord.” – Kong Hee, Presence Conference 2011, 03:47, 2011.”
Sweet mercy. I was looking forward to reading a valid, backed up dissection.
Please don’t invent lies and put words in others mouths, it immediately broke any credibility that the rest of the article might’ve had.
By rubbishing C3’s critics (this site), you’ve only make the C3 movement look better.
I’d advise you correct that statement before anyone else reads it and concludes that this site is for liars. Instead, speak only truth, and back it up.
Also, why did no-one else pick up on this? was it deliberately overlooked?
G’day Jake,
I’m glad to see that you’ve decided to stick around.
I concur with TNP’s statement that:
“[…] the implication was clear to me. In saying that visions, dreams and faith are synonymous, Kong Hee is clearly saying that if you do not have visions and dreams you also do not have faith. This is a perfectly reasonable interpretation of Kong Hee’s statement.”
Further to that, I would add that once a preacher has falsely conflated visions, dreams, and faith, they are very well-positioned to draw their followers into a web of deception. For example, if Phil Pringle has “a vision” which he then seeks to impose on his congregation (“vision casting”), then he is, by definition, acting “in faith”. The obvious corollary is that anyone in his congregation who expresses doubts about the alleged “vision” could only be doing so because they themselves “lack faith”.
By this means Phil can make any pronouncement he likes, and, by simply labelling it as “a vision”, he can make it a binding edict that none among his followers would dare to challenge – whether because they idolise him as a “great man of faith”, or because they have been cowed into submission by his spiritual Stasi. The principle at work in such a situation is that Phil alone knows best, and everyone else had better fall into line (or else). This is, of course, clearly symptomatic of a gnostic cult – and it is something that would be well understood by those who have been victims of C3.
Kong’s new revelation is a formula concerning faith ie FAITH =VISION=DREAMS. Meaning if you say you have faith but lack vision or dreams, your kind of faith is questionable. They must always come out with some new laughable ‘creative doctrine’ to stay dynamic,vibrant and relevant to the new world. In their minds, the old gospel and old rugged cross is just not good enough for today.
“In their minds, the old gospel and old rugged cross is just not good enough for today.”
Quite true; as it is written:
“[…] the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing […]”
Moreover, these same impostors substitute in place of the cross the “wisdom” of men, which, as we know, is foolishness to God.
Jake, the implication was clear to me. In saying that visions, dreams and faith are synonymous, Kong Hee is clearly saying that if you do not have visions and dreams you also do not have faith. This is a perfectly reasonable interpretation of Kong Hee’s statement.
It is clear that there are many people who truly teach and believe this, so Kong Hee is by no means unique in his heresy. The problem is that it is a damnable lie. How utterly destructive to suggest that only those who ‘walk in visions and dreams’ are in the faith. That is beyond unbiblical. Surely it is a doctrine of demons that the Scriptures warn us of.
When one compares the content of such visions and dreams against the Scriptures we invariably discover that they are truly unbiblical. Allegorizing Old Testament prophecies to fit modern ‘visioning’ does not legitimize a false vision. Nor does occult dream interpretation legitimize a dream as having spiritual significance. This is really serious stuff, and spiritually dangerous to the Body of Christ. It seems that many cannot understand the weightiness of the situation…if the dreams and visions are not from God (and we can know this by knowing God through the revelation of the Scriptures), then they are from the enemy. Surely that is serious enough to address with others who are truly in the faith.
Having said that, I agree that clarity is helpful in these complex and sensitive issues. Sometimes understanding or knowledge is assumed, when in fact explicit explanations are needed.
Kong and Phil picked it up from the master dreamer none other than Cho Yonggi.
Speaking of wolves, this one is unbelievable, Set Free. His teachings are pure occult, new age lies. Two of our well-respected Anglican churches here in Melbourne openly invited him to come to Melbourne (which sadly, he did). I was rather stunned. I know The Melbourne Anglican diocese magazine is replete with false ecumenism, contemplative spirituality and many other concerning things, but this was incredible to me. It doesn’t take much reading of foundational new age doctrine to see the obvious source of Yongghi Cho’s teachings. That man is very dangerous, and very influential, often behind the scenes (as often there is no obvious affiliation).
Church growth does not a good shepherd make, nor does it feed the flock. When will these foolish, blinded souls learn that the Lord himself grows his church…not us, and certainly not through slick marketing strategies. Sigh…
[Edit]
thanks The Narrowing, for explaining that. Now i understand. I am going to have a look at your blog. I am on a quest for learning and understanding. To be sure i will compare all i read to God’s Word and also take everything to God in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding. After all there is nothing more important than God. truth and His Word.
Annette, you are welcome at TNP any time! Praise our Almighty God that he is giving you a love for his truth…it fills me with joy to see the Holy Spirit at work in the life of a fellow sister in Christ. Our Lord is a mighty Saviour! Blessings in Him, Sherryn
By the way Annette, I used to share your sentiments. I felt that churches would be much better without the people in them. But I have to say, I love the people in my church now, and see Christ’s love radiate from them. It is beautiful to behold! If you are ever in Melbourne, I will gladly invite you as a guest to my church and tell me what you think. 🙂
It deeply saddens us to see so many people hurt, destroyed or disillusioned because of church like C3 or CHC.
To those are working out there salvation alone, may we comfort you with this: we are praying that God leads you to a community that is strong in Christs’ Spirit and in Truth. It is a lonely road, a narrow path.
I know this scripture is overdone but we pray it ministers to someone today:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
CW, your love for the brethren is very apparent, and is a blessing to the Body of Christ. My personal experience is not with C3 group, but with similar (and other) dangerous false teachings flooding into a reformed Anglican church I was attending. Since then I have seen the devastation, and wanting to learn more, came to this site. I have stayed as it seemed I may be able to be of service and encouragement, and because now more than ever brothers and sister need to unite and support each other. God bless you as you faithfully serve him in these difficult times!
By the way CW, I just posted a link to your article on Phil Pringle’s house on Chris Rosebrough’s Facebook page. He was bragging on their Steve Furtick and how he is building a $1.7 million home. I had to set Chris straight with a brag about our own home grown heretic and his far fancier manse. We can’t be encouraging that Amercian exceptionalism Obama keeps going on and on about. 😉
Also CW, I should probably admit that my poor attitude to the brethren was more to do with my own unregenerate state than those poor sincere folks. It may have been tainted by the fakers, but really it was my own heart that wasn’t yet made whole by Christ’s love.
thanks churchwatcher your words and the scripture ministered straight to my heart. very powerful.
Your welcome annette.
We are getting a few emails from people who are angry with the church but still love Jesus. This resource comes to mind for them and yourself. We hope it is a blessing to you annette.
Me too – that was the scripture I needed today. I’ve been looking for another church since I left C3 over 2 years ago and haven’t been able to find one yet.
Me too. Plus other friends of ours. And others who probably would if given the chance.
thanks Sherry, you are so full of God’s love, gentleness and kindness, your words also ministered straight to my heart. I definately will visit your church sometime.
well said Zorro!
sorry, Sherryn not Sherry :-))
It’s okay Annette, lots of people leave off the rather superfluous ‘n’. 🙂
I am so glad to be used by the Lord to be an encouragement to you, and to have you as a sister in Christ. I have found Him to be so faithful, a mighty saviour. You know, I feel sad for those caught up in these false movements in part because they are missing the work of the true the Holy Spirit, who is moving powerfully in the Body of Christ, drawing God’s people together from the four corners of the earth. To me it is a mighty thing to behold, and a balm for this soul that would otherwise be overwhelmed at the insanity of this world I am raising young ones in. I am so glad for you that you have been called away from the lies, and pray that you will find a church to call home. If not, start a house church!!
thats not a bad idea!
dont get me wrong when i say its the church and the people in that i have a problem with – thats a generalisation. There are a lot of really nice people in church but false teaching, cover up of illegal activity, manipulation and control, pride, ect …. sounds more like the devils playground! The house of God should be a safe place for even the most broken.
Amen, Annette! The house of God should be a safe place for even the most broken. Sadly, many of these ‘houses’ are not God’s, and do great harm.
Kong Hee gets a special honour…a review of his ‘message’ on Genesis 15 on the Pirate’s radio program!
http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/2013/10/majority-of-charismatic-manifestations-are-fake.html
This episode is also worth listen to hear Mike Bickle say that most of the ‘manifestations’ he sees are fake but are worth putting up with for the few he says are real. Sigh…
Justin Peter’s recent talk on the Word of Faith heresies of which Kong Hee is a master. For those who don’t know many (or any) godly men, be especially blessed by this precious brother speaking the truth in love…