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Chapter 8

On Safari in the Wild World

In the tame world of religion of the 1950s, the path to becoming a preacher was very simple for the young man with aspirations to add “Reverend” to his name. He chose a denomination and headed for their seminary, a specialized college where he would be trained in the theological foundation of the denomination, and taught various skills, from public speaking to counseling. If he was successful in his studies and approved by the denomination’s leadership, he would be “ordained” and given credentials that qualified him to be hired as a pastor by any of the denomination’s congregations. He might choose instead to become a missionary or a travelling evangelist, but he would still accomplish those goals under the auspices of his chosen denomination.

Seminaries still churn out would-be pastors in the 21^st century. But they are no longer the only path to the pastorate. In recent decades, the “self-made minister” is becoming a more and more common phenomenon. These men and women do their own independent study of the Bible, and may create their own idiosyncratic theology. They pick up speaking and writing skills by the seat of their pants. And then they declare themselves ready to spread their own brand of the Gospel, and gather their own disciples and supporters. It is may be surprising to many to learn that one does not need any specific education to be recognized by the government of many states as a “clergyman,” with the authority to officiate at weddings, start a church congregation, collect offerings, and more. In Michigan, for instance, the would-be minister, if questioned about his credentials, only has to show evidence that a group (of any size) of people accept him as their spiritual leader. And then he will be afforded all the same rights and privileges as the pastor of the 500-member Methodist congregation who attended seminary for six years and has a Master of Divinity degree.

Most large church denominations still insist that the clergymen that serve their congregations have a seminary education, whether in a denominational seminary or one that serves multiple denominations. But the fastest-growing movements in the Wild World of Religion these days are often characterized by leaders and congregations with no denominational affiliations. These independent religious groups and their pastors invent and reinvent themselves as they develop. They may form loose alliances with other independent groups, with which they share the same emphases on certain topics. Most of the time, they are accountable to no central authority of any kind. This can, in some cases, be viewed as a positive situation. It can provide an environment in which a preacher can promote his own version of the Gospel without fear that someone will censor his efforts, causing him to have to “water down” his message. But, on the negative side, it can provide an environment in which an unscrupulous leader can deceive and abuse his followers without fear that some greater authority will step in and intervene.

The variety of religious groups and movements in the United States to choose from these days is wide indeed. It would fill a whole book to just name them all. And it would take several encyclopedia-sized sets of books to provide even minimal descriptions of their teachings and activities. But there are four such movements that have been very influential in changing the landscape of the Wild World of Religion in the past few decades. The next four chapters will take the reader on safari to get a closer look at these four movements. Although some individual leaders who are involved in the development and promotion of these movements are affiliated with historical church denominations, a large number of them are, indeed, independent entrepreneurs, accountable to no one but themselves.

End Times Prophecy Movement

Men and women have been predicting the imminent return of Jesus since His departure from Earth in the first century. The approach of the year 1000 AD saw a flurry of wild prophetic speculations regarding this event. The mid-1800s was also a period that saw the rise of a number of Millennial groups that believed their job was to warn people to “Repent for the End is Nigh!” But the advent of the specter of nuclear war since the 1950s has fueled an explosion in the number of ministries that have, as their primary emphasis, the promotion of the prophetic speculations of their founders. The financial success of the Left Behind series of books and movies is evidence of the fascination of the masses, including those with no church affiliation, with the possibility that we are, indeed, living in the End Times.

Word Faith Movement

Throughout much of the history of Christianity, living modestly and frugally, and patiently enduring suffering, have often been considered signs of true spirituality. Only the relative affluence of late 20^th century America could have spawned a movement that literally insists that it is God’s intention for every believer to be perpetually healthy and wealthy. The opulent TV studio sets populated by Word Faith evangelists, sometimes looking more like the gaudy décor of a brothel in the Old West than a modern living room, seem to give hope to those watching. If only they can appropriate the same formulas of faith used by these endlessly cheerful performers, they too can drive a Rolls and wear a Rolex!

Healing Ministries Movement

If one were to believe all the claims of some of the preachers in the Healing Ministries Movement, it would be puzzling why there are any hospitals left. There’d be no need for them. All that would be necessary would be for the Healing Evangelist to come hold Miracle Healing Explosions in hospital parking lots across the land, and have the staffs wheel out all the patients for an encounter with the “Man with God’s Anointing.” Unfortunately, years of investigation by sincere researchers have been unable to substantiate the grandiose claims of astonishing miracles of healing that have created huge followings for many of these preachers.

Hebrew Roots Movement

Jesus Christ of Nazareth was born into a Jewish family. His disciples were all Jewish, as were almost all the people he preached to throughout his ministry years. In order to understand some of the circumstances described in both the Old and New Testaments, and some of the analogies and metaphors used by Jesus, it would obviously be helpful to know what Jewish society was like in New Testament times, as well as what Israelite society was like in Old Testament times. Those involved in the Hebrew Roots Movement are convinced that teaching about the “Hebrew Roots of Jesus” (sometimes called the “Jewish Roots of Jesus”) has been sadly lacking in most churches. So, all across America, former Protestant ministers are giving themselves the title “Rabbi” instead of “Reverend,” and starting “Messianic Assemblies.” Their gatherings may feature “Hebraic” music, blowing ram’s horn shofars, wearing prayer shawls, learning Hebrew, studying the teachings of the historical rabbis such as those in the Talmud, and more. Although this movement had very little influence outside limited circles a decade ago, it has taken off in popularity in recent years. Hebrew Roots teachings are showing up in all sorts of strange settings—including in programs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Some Charismatics are even referring to the Hebrew Roots Movement as the “Fourth Wave” of restoration of the Full Gospel.

The Who’s Who Digest chapter includes many names of men and women who are involved in one or the other of these movements. In fact, it is becoming more and more common for individuals to be involved in more than one. For indeed, the teachers and preachers who are leaders in these movements have begun cross-pollinating, yielding many strange new hybrid breeds of religious diversity in the Wild World of Religion.