VOL. 22, NO. 2 APRIL-JUNE 2002 EDITOR: KEITH A. MORSE

The End of the Church or His End?

by G. Richard Fisher ‘‘And the oracle of the Lord you some false prophets don’t know when shall mention no more. For every to quit. man’s word will be his oracle, for Back in 1993, after writing about you have perverted the words of Camping and stating that his premise the Living God, the Lord of for 1994 was unbiblical, PFO received Hosts, our God’’ (Jeremiah from Camping’s followers stern warn- 23:36). ings and predictions of dire judgment Harold Camping is at it — again! because we dared to question his One would have thought that his hermeneutics, interpretations, and failed prediction of the return of date-setting. PFO was called ‘‘judg- Christ in 19941 would have shamed mental’’ for even questioning Camp- and silenced him. ing. When September 1994 came and went without incident, and Camping Camping left himself very little went on as if his false prophecies had wiggle room in his book titled 1994?, never occurred, we heard no more when he stated: from his avid devotees and were no ‘‘I will be surprised if we reach longer promised God’s judgment. October 1, 1994. ... By God’s Camping slipped back, at least part mercy there are a few months way, into the woodwork. left. However, if this study is That all changed this past Septem- accurate, and I believe with all there. However, as another purveyor ber when Camping gathered his staff my heart that it is, there will be of false prophecy, the Watchtower for a solemn meeting to announce no extensions in time. There will Society has proved time and again, (continues on page 16) be no time for second guessing. When September 6, 1994, arrives, no one else can become saved. Inside this Issue: The end has come.’’2 Spinning Sin ...... Page 2 Camping’s heart and his hermeneu- TBN Donation Dollars Hard at Work ...... Page 3 tics were dead wrong. He should Joyce Meyer: Mired in Confusion and Mysticism ...... Page 4 have ended his foolishness then and HAZARDOUS HERMENEUTICS Biblical prediction of the expecta- must now refer to any Christian (continued from page 1) tion of an increasingly dead gathering as a fellowship only. church and the actuality of a Camping will not even refer to that ‘‘the Church was dead.’’ PFO has robust healthy presentation of as ‘‘parachurch.’’ on file a tape recording of the Family the by means of an • The Church today cannot, in any Bible Radio staff meeting. At the organization like Family Radio.’’5 way, fulfill the Great Commission. meeting, employees asked for specific ‘‘Indeed we must realistically ad- The proof of this, says Camping, is Scriptures. Camping replies with out- mit the churches of today cannot the church of Sardis in Revelation of-context Old Testament verses by any means fulfill Christ’s 3:1. It says that Sardis ‘‘had a name twisted to conform to his new thesis. command to go into all the world that lives’’ meaning the whole In the recording, Camping tells his with the Gospel. Fact is, if we Church is dead and this verse is a employees that if they cannot accept honestly evaluate the totality of prophecy of that fact. Hazardous this new revelation, he will help them the mission effort that is based hermeneutics. find other work.3 on a true presentation of the • Only Family Radio stations can Is the Church dead? Camping goes whole counsel of God, we must preach and fulfill the Great Com- 6 on record when he writes: admit the situation is hopeless.’’ mission. This is a fulfillment of radio airwaves as the instrument of God during the tribulation period that we already have entered. “ On the one hand we see churches Preaching is the instrument of God, whether done in pulpits or on air everywhere becoming more and more waves. Camping has no right to arbitrarily confine God to his radio apostate. Yet on the other hand we see a station in an elitist fashion. • The ceasing of Old Testament ministry like Family Radio becoming ceremonies somehow proves that more and more useful to the Lord in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are obsolete and can no longer be prac- sending the true Gospel into the world.” ticed. In the question and answer session at the staff meeting, Camp- – Harold Camping ing did not declare the exact timing of this ceasing, but only specified it was a few years back and corre- sponded to what he labels the ‘‘What is going on? Certainly Perhaps, it has not dawned on ‘‘satanic Charismatic signs and something strange is happening. Camping that many of his shows are wonders movement.’’ Ordinances On the one hand we see churches church-sponsored, church-related, are down and out — period. Camp- everywhere becoming more and church-funded, and that his support- ing seems to know this, based on more apostate. Yet on the other ers are connected to churches. More- some misty timeline that was hand we see a ministry like over, Camping acts as though he is crossed years ago. He seems to be Family Radio becoming more omniscient. He cannot know the state the only one who knows for sure. of all churches. and more useful to the Lord in • Even Bible-believing churches are sending the true Gospel into the The broad strokes of Camping’s the same as Baal altars and ‘‘high world. ... Indeed any spiritually startling and shocking new revela- places’’ of the Old Testament. In minded believer must admit tions or new discoveries from the God’s eyes, they need to be de- something drastic has happened Bible (he says) are as follows. A stroyed. The arrogance and elitism and is happening in even the summary of his booklet, Has the Era of of Camping is blatant and obnox- most conservative of the the Church Age Come to an End?,as ious here. churches.’’4 well as the tape of his September 20 • All offices of pastor, elder, and staff meeting reveals: The dead state of the churches deacon are abolished as there is no today and the rise of Family Radio is • The Church is dead. Not just the longer any office in God’s eyes right from the Bible — or so Camping apostate or liberal churches. God is because there is no Church. If one says: finished with all churches and the meets with other believers, it is ‘‘However, there appears to be a Church age is over. It is even wrong without leaders and is to be called a major contradiction between the to use the word ‘‘church’’ and we fellowship.

16 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2002 • Somehow Daniel 12 predicted this This new revelation is a partial rehash strange. A world where anything goes very day and the light Camping has of his 1994? and Are You Ready? and even God seems out of control received. This new teaching, he books. The same misinterpreted and unable to govern Himself by His claims, on the Church age ending is verses and numerology are used in own Word. all there in that chapter. the new paradigm — except for the As earlier noted, everything that date for Christ’s return, which is now Camping has spent his entire career Camping articulated to his staff at the left out. Camping has ratcheted things formulating and trying to float mysti- September 20 staff meeting was all up a bit and painted himself into the cal numerology, prophetic dates, and taught by him to a degree in the book strange and inaccurate translations of proverbial corner. He has locked him- 1994? Because of his insistence on select verses. Often his wobbly ideas self into an impossible extreme. Jesus returning in September 1994, are held up by one verse and a shaky THE WILDER THE BETTER most critics took on that issue and cultic interpretation of it. He seems overlooked the rest. After all, the end incapable of sorting out the Bible As our culture overtakes the of the world should get some atten- from his interpretation of the Bible. Church, we see laughing revivals, tion. Did Camping know something Vineyard craziness with people justi- no one else did? In a past phone interview when fying animal sounds in worship, PFO pressed him to show us a verse claims of gold dust and angel feath- NOW YOU SEE IT, to verify his interpretation of certain ers, promotion of healing statues, NOW YOU DON’T numbers in Scripture, he kept saying, vomiting as a sign of ancestral de- ‘‘All Scripture is given by inspiration Camping has always played a mons being expelled, and the non- from God.’’ It was hardly an answer sleight-of-hand game that is hardly sense and altered states of Benny for his strange understanding of cer- picked up by a casual observer. It is tain verses. He serves up his distorted Hinn and Pensacola meetings. There what could be called ‘‘sandwich biblical interpretations and his follow- is also the latest in Jabez parapherna- hermeneutics.’’ Camping believes that ers hardly understand they are being lia — Jabez coins. not only is the Bible inspired, but his grossly misled. This is ‘‘believe it or not.’’ The interpretations are, too. However, he would never directly say it that way. A LEAKY BOAT bizarre is not only welcomed, but demanded. Designer prophets — who He may hardly notice that that is The teaching of the Church’s de- are no longer called fortune-tellers — what he is doing when he makes the mise also was given at Camping’s will deliver personal prophecies. claim that he only gets his teaching 2001 Tuscarora Conference, held Au- Nothing is off-limits and no experi- from the Bible and proves one verse gust 2001 at the Tuscarora Inn and ence is too wild and crazy to report by proof-texting and ‘‘comparing the Conference Center in Mt. Bethel, Pa. and pass off as being from God. Bible with the Bible.’’ His followers Here Camping ‘‘proved’’ his wild Everyone’s experience or interpreta- will swear he ‘‘only uses the Bible.’’ claim by rambling through the Book tion seems valid. It is really the era of Major claim the same thing. The of Acts. He called the boat in the the confused and superstitious manipulation is hard to catch — at storm in Acts 27 a picture of the Church. least at first. Church and observed that Jesus was Joni Eareckson Tada sees the disas- His sandwich hermeneutics work not in the boat. This, Camping be- trous trend: like this: Imagine I tell you, ‘‘I have a lieves, means that Christ is no longer good piece of bread,’’ but I then (very with or in the Church. ‘‘We play fast and loose with the quickly) lay on the bread a tainted Apparently, it means nothing to word of God these days. In- piece of meat (which you’ve hardly Camping that the ‘‘angel of God’’ was depth Bible study and examining noticed) and quickly top it with an- in the boat (v. 23) or that Paul knew verses in their context takes too other piece of good bread. I deftly Christ was in him in the boat (Coloss- much time. People seem to prefer add another slice of tainted meat and ians 1:27). Also, Paul promised them instant revelation and ‘words of then top that with another piece of deliverance only if they stayed in the knowledge’ on the spot.”7 good bread. I did it so fast and so boat. It also apparently means nothing Tada also sees the real issue: easily that it was hardly seen. I then to Camping that the Church is never declare it a good sandwich. It is good likened to a boat in the New Testa- ‘‘How can I possibly engage this because I said so. brother or sister in a meaningful ment. The Tuscarora Conference er- Camping’s good bread is Scripture. rors were rebroadcast Thanksgiving debate, if they claim they are The bad meat is his interpretation. week 2001 over the Family Radio speaking ex cathedra, or ‘from the Camping’s sandwiches are Scriptures network. throne’? It’s a dead-end discus- with tainted and twisted interpreta- sion.’’8 If anyone had doubts before that tions which are put together so fast Camping was strange, quirky, and Enter Harold Camping and a world you hardly realize what you have even cultic, there is little doubt now. already primed for the new and been given. He is in a closed circle of

April-June 2002 The Quarterly Journal · 17 reasoning. He then assures us that he his statement, but simply quotes nesses in the same chapter? Camping only uses the Bible and nothing else. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 and pretends it does not get that far. However, he is interpreting and as- makes his point. It’s another quickly Over the centuries, good men have signing questionable definitions and made sandwich. argued for the two witnesses of false meanings as he goes. Camping then goes on to name the Revelation 11 being past (preterists), BIBLE HOPSCOTCH ‘‘high places’’ that are in the Church: or the witnesses being future (futur- ists), but only Camping has used So Camping will quote a verse ‘‘Such conclusions that there can these witnesses to prove the most saying, for instance, that ‘‘judgment be divorce for fornication, baptis- unlikely scenario that the Church is begins at the house of God.’’ He mal regeneration, our faith is an now dead. Other than Camping say- quickly drops in a statement that all instrument that God uses to ing so, why would one interpret the churches fail and go apostate. He tops bring us to , a future witnesses as being the Church? it with a verse to the church in Sardis millennium, women can pastor a Camping also misses the point that ‘‘having a name that lives and is church, universal atonement, our dead’’ (Revelation 3:1). He suggests acceptance of Christ as a require- the witnesses have the approval of that Sardis is prophetic of the whole ment for salvation, are typical of God (Revelation 11:11-12), not His Church (tainted interpretation). The many doctrines solemnly condemnation. final piece of bread is Satan warring adopted by churches. But these Camping further teaches we are in against the Church in Revelation. Has are high places, in that they have the tribulation period: he really proven his point and only come from the exalted minds of ‘‘While a number of Scriptures used the Bible? men instead of coming from detail the character of the great God.’’13 Camping, in his booklet, Has the Era tribulation, there are two that are of the Church Age Come to an End?, We can be absolutely sure that Baal especially in evidence so that we asserts, ‘‘As a matter of fact God worshipers of the Old Testament were need have no doubt that we have declared in 1 Peter 4:17 ‘judgment not involved in any of the above arrived to that final event.’’15 must begin at the house of God.’’’9 issues. By this he means that judgment has Matthew 24:24 talks of false christs already taken place (his interpreta- While some may feel very strongly and false prophets and is cited by tion), as his booklet later concludes. about trying to counteract ideas of Camping, asserting that ‘‘This evi- We will see that as we progress. baptismal regeneration and women dence alone assures us that we are pastors, can we honestly say that all living in the period of the great Camping goes on: the rest of the statements are pagan tribulation.’’16 While the verse does ‘‘But there is a larger plan of God ideas equivalent to Baalism or “high address the facts of the tribulation, it that must be looked at. This plan places” and divide over them? Cannot does not address the timing. The inter- shows that a time will come the other things be debated under the pretation Camping gives for the tim- when God will no longer use the pale of orthodoxy? Unfortunately, ing of the tribulation is tainted meat churches and congregations to Camping has set himself up unilater- thrown into the sandwich. The timing bring the Gospel to the world. ally as the new evangelical pope. His issue is foisted in. Nowhere is the They instead will come under the view is the only view. exact timing of these events laid out. wrath of God.’’10 He continues: During his September 20 staff meet- Using Leviticus 26:27-31, Camping ing, Camping talked of seeing the ‘‘This coincides with the warning then begins to compare the Church to tribulation occurring now, just about of Revelation 11 that the time ‘‘high places’’ or pagan altars.11 Is this everywhere he opens the Bible. The will come when the work of the really comparing Scripture to Scrip- truth is he imposes that idea on every church to bring the Gospel, as ture or just imposing non-related Scripture he looks at. He told his staff: typified by the two witnesses, is Scripture on other parts of the Bible? ‘‘But as I studied Hezekiah. ... I finished. ... This punishment It all happens so quickly. Nearly began to get an understanding of would take place when the obe- without our realizing it, the pagan the great tribulation ... in which dience of the churches had been altars have quickly been turned into we are a part of right now. ... fulfilled. We have already seen churches! when we came to Acts 21 we that the obedience was fulfilled found that it was guiding us Camping then compares churches to when the work of the two wit- down the same path. Exactly the Baalism, saying, ‘‘But is it true, that nesses had been finished.’’14 our churches are free of high places? same path, that — that there’s The Bible shows us that the churches If the finishing of the witnesses is going to come a time when the of today are not at all free of the high the present finishing of the Church, Church Age has come to an end. places.’’12 Camping does not prove what is the resurrection of the wit- ... I’m scared, I’m frightened at

18 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2002 where this is going. ... It looks Camping further maintains that convinced that the church era like we are going to come to a ‘‘Because the church era has come to has come to an end and the point where the Bible is teaching an end the churches have become church no longer has any divine the Church is dead.’’17 dead as the church of Sardis long ago authority. ... The elders will no became dead.’’20 longer be elders. The deacons So sandwiched between Hezekiah will no longer be deacons. The and Acts 21 we are told we are in the To use the Babylonian captivity of Pastor will no longer be pastor. tribulation and Camping is leading Israel as a model for the Church raises In other words no individuals down a road that will tell us the the question: Does the Church die and will have spiritual rule over the Church is now dead. then in 70 years come alive again? Should we even try to salvage our congregation. ... This is so be- Camping further says he found this churches? Camping quickly throws in cause now that the church as a tribulation/death of the Church truth ‘‘there will not be left one stone upon corporate institution has no spiri- in Ezekiel with Tyre and Sidon, and another.’’21 Yes, Camping decrees, tual authority, each person must 24 in Luke 21 where Jerusalem is encom- forget your church — do not try to answer directly to God.’’ passed with enemies. He says ‘‘a light redeem it. He speaks against anyone TIME TO JUST SAY ‘‘NO!’’ went on.’’ So it seems whenever and who may think they can resurrect this wherever he opens the Bible, he sees dead church by removing all the Camping has no hermeneutic but the death of all institutional churches. “high places.” his own. In short, verses mean what- He then is so bold as to say, ‘‘The ever he wants them to mean. It is time Bible is clear.’’ The Bible may be clear, Camping arbitrarily picks things for his board and staff to deal with but his interpretations are not. that were destroyed and subjectively him and not let him go on with the makes them pictures of the Church. ONLY ME doctrinal insanity he is promoting. It Why not take all the things that were is time for the Church to rise up and Camping seems out of touch and not destroyed? The wood, hay, and say ‘‘enough is enough.’’ This should has gone tone deaf to others’ music. stubble of 1 Corinthians 3 is clearly have been done in 1992 (when he first He has acquired some kind of rem- defined in the Bible as the believer’s published his book 1994?), and we nant syndrome, and in the words of ‘‘work’’ (v. 14), not the Church. would not now have the proliferation Elijah, must be thinking, ‘‘I alone am Though the Jewish Temple was of even more cultic teaching. Unfortu- left.’’ destroyed and that prophecy fulfilled nately, money and power talk, and Camping says that the fact that in A.D. 70 as Jesus prophesied, it talk so loud they often silence the Family Radio is not under Church means nothing to Camping. The recipients. Money, it seems, does talk, authority and yet remains true to Temple’s destruction has Camping and in this case says whatever it Scripture is a reason ‘‘we can know simply concluding that ‘‘the era of the pleases. At a time when truth is that we are in that time of the great church as an institution used of God needed, many are falling silent. tribulation.’’18 How does being a para- has come to and [sic] end.’’22 Camping’s extremes call not for pub- lic relations, but for public rebuke church organization prove anything — We must realize that this new teach- unless Camping is trying to reinforce (Romans 16:17-18). The other sad fact ing has dire and disastrous conse- is that Camping, no doubt, is taking his argument to say everyone’s orga- quences, which Camping cavalierly nization is dead but Family Radio. the compromise and silence as en- brushes over in his final words. He But it still does not make his point. dorsement and encouragement. pushes lack of accountability and Using Jeremiah 29 and the prophecy independence to a new level: In writing about terrorism, former of the Babylonian destruction, Camp- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Net- ‘‘If a person or family is a ing concludes that we ought not to anyahu mentions a motto of Zionist member of a church they can stay in our churches: Israel Zangwill, one of Israel’s early withdraw their membership and leaders. This principle is Obsta prin- ‘‘In other words it was God’s fellowship on sundays [sic] with cipiis, which Netanyahu says is ‘‘op- plan that no one was to remain whomever there may be who are pose bad things when they are in Jerusalem. ... Get out of Jerusa- of like mind.’’23 small.’’25 lem (the church). No longer are Roughly translated, this means you to be under the spiritual People around Camping did not Camping’s followers can meet with rulership of the church. This confront him with his strange numer- other Camping followers with no command is given because God ology in the early years. Everyone leadership or direction. Camping is finished with the era of looked the other way because of what cares little if churches everywhere churches being used of God to they saw as all the good he was doing collapse. Consider further: evangelize. ... The message with the radio. They did not stop him should be clear. We must remove ‘‘For that individual that is not a with his 1994 extremes and his ourself from the church.’’19 trauma because he has become scheme of the Second Coming and the

April-June 2002 The Quarterly Journal · 19 end of the world. After all, jobs were During the September 20 staff meet- ’’...not of the time of the end of at stake. Now the bad things are no ing, Camping tries to prove his point all history, but of a nearer rela- longer small, but have reached alarm- by wrestling, twisting, and bending tive end of the prophecy. ‘Time ing proportions with his wholesale 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 (regarding of the end’ is the general pro- indictment of all churches and his Satan in the sanctuary). In effect, phetic expression for the time denigrating of pastors and church Camping says, See, there it is! Satan which, as the period of fulfill- leaders. He has forgotten that these setting up shop in the temple. And ment, lies at the end of the are his support base. with that, Presto! Satan is somehow existing prophetic horizon — in ruling all believers in the Church. To Sadly, some ministries have accom- the present case the time of further ‘‘prove’’ his argument, Camp- 30 modated Camping and are editing out Antiochus.’’ ing throws in Daniel 8:10-14 about the all references to the Church, pastors, sanctuary being trodden underfoot for It eludes Camping that he is prov- elders, deacons, or ordinances of the 2300 days. How any of that fits, he ing too much. If Satan were ruling the Church. It is a compromise that is a Temple, and the New Testament says tacit endorsement of Camping’s ex- does not explain. Many Bible com- mentators have seen Daniel 8 in that our body is the Temple, Satan tremes and elitism. All for the sake of would be ruling Camping’s body as staying on the radio. regard to Israel. And regardless of whether you take the verses literally well. However, this would be lost on BEEN THERE, DONE THAT or figuratively, there is no way toe him. Camping will make the Temple apply them to the Church as does the Christian in one place and the The 1993 PFO article labeled Camp- Church in another where it suits him. ing’s book 1994? as ‘‘a labyrinth of Camping. subjective speculation, private inter- What Camping does to Daniel 8 and It is silly to make one symbol the pretation and numerical guess- other passages is criminal. The con- be-all and end-all of any interpretive work.’’26 Camping’s view of the text of Daniel 8 is clear, and the system. The Church is a building, a Church (all churches) being overrun ‘‘sanctuary trampled underfoot’’ (v. flock, a branch, a bride, a lampstand, by false and being ruled by 13) has nothing to do with the Church an army, salt, light, a body, and so Satan was already being proclaimed of today. Daniel was given under- forth. Each has a specific thing to 27 nearly a decade ago. At that time, standing of the vision (vv. 16-17) and teach about the Church’s makeup and however, Camping did not make the the details were for events some days mission. These are not prophecies in death of the Church a do-or-die situa- ahead (v. 26). The details have to do the strict sense and they each have a tion, and his employees were not with things that will occur during the small bit to tell us about the many confronted with ‘‘my way or the time of Persian and into Greek rule functions and responsibilities that we highway.’’ It may be too late for Obsta (vv. 20-21). The Scripture is its own have as Christians. We cannot press principiis. best interpreter in its context. We the figure of the sanctuary totally out Camping has now gone on record know that the Greek Seleucids at the of shape, just as we cannot press any with the publication of his new book- command of Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the other figures and make them a let, Has the Era of the Church Age Come trampled the holy Sanctuary of the comprehensive picture of all that the to an End? It is essentially what he temple and committed the ‘‘abomina- Church is. Besides, the Old Testament tried to convey to his staff, and his tion of desolation’’ by killing a sow Sanctuary is clearly of a different answer to the title is definite, em- on the Jewish altar in Jerusalem. Any category than the New Testament phatic, and affirmative, as we have of this can be checked in any major Church in a myriad of ways. seen. commentary.28 Timothy D. Oliver, director of This sweeping judgment on all Dr. Harry Ironside agrees that ‘‘The Christian Soldiers Ministries, has it churches further points up one of sanctuary contemplated by Daniel is right when he says, ‘‘This all stems Camping’s major flaws and one of the earthly, and the prophecy has already from his ‘1994’ fallacy..., which is, of crucial fallacies in his thinking. He been fulfilled in 2300 evening-morn- course, a result of his pathetic herme- constantly argues from the general ings after Antiochus Epiphanes pol- neutic (he has no boundaries, nor and universal to the specific. For luted it by setting up a statue of accountability to anyone, or any bal- instance, all liberal churches have Jupiter Olympus in the holiest.’’29 anced method).’’31 departed from the truth and many conservative churches have compro- The sealing of the vision (Daniel Camping tries to tie in Daniel 12 mised the truth, therefore all churches 8:26) had to do with waiting for the and suggests that the sealing of ‘‘the are under God’s judgment. Or, many unfolding and fulfilling of the details, scroll until the time of the end’’ (v. 4) churches are not preaching the Gos- not waiting for Harold Camping. He- refers to his new discoveries. This was pel, therefore only Family Radio is. brew scholars Keil and Delitzsch in- the same error in interpretation that Arguing general principles into spe- form us regarding ‘‘time of the end’’ was used to prop up Camping’s 1994? cific conclusions is not logical. in Daniel 8: book. The context is clearly resurrec-

20 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2002 tion of bodies (vv. 2-3). The shutting power to do in resurrection all he said and kept working with them. Camp- of the book has to do with the He would do. ing wants to jettison them and the awaiting of fulfillment and a guaran- whole Church. tee of the same. Again, note Daniel is HARMENEUTICS NOT No one — including Camping — not speaking of discovery of interpre- HERMENEUTICS knows when the Christian community tation, but an absolute promise of There is an old saying that states: at Sardis came to an end. This awaits fulfillment of details. This has been ‘‘He is a poor judge who starts with more archaeological information. It is pointed out by many commentaries in his own verdict.’’ Camping starts with generally assumed that the church the past. However, Camping’s imagi- his verdict of judgment on the Church there went on with its candlestick nation is his own commentary. He is and sees it everywhere and in every- burning until the Muslim conquests in more like a mystical kabalist than a thing. the seventh century A.D.35 Other evi- Christian. It is easy to see that he imposes it dence indicates that a Christian com- Consider what PFO said back in on every text he visits. munity and church continued to exist in Sardis up through the Byzantine 1993 and how applicable it remains For example, Camping utilizes Mat- today: era or into the fifth century A.D. thew 24:24, which says that false There is also evidence of a Christian christs and false prophets will arise ‘‘So, does Camping have any- clergy from this time.36 As the text with signs and wonders to deceive, if thing new to offer in the way of clearly indicates, the Lord was not possible, the very elect. His sweeping prophetic interpretation? Like a through with them. lot of cultists, he misuses Daniel conclusion or private interpretation 12:4, 8-9, which speaks of sealing from this broad and general statement EAT THIS BREAD, BUT ONLY the book until the end and are is that ‘‘No one can honestly say that UNTIL CAMPING SAYS SO all is well in today’s congregations.’’34 taken to mean that someone in What does that really mean? Obvi- Camping further inflicts injury on the end time finally will see into ously we could not say that all the Church and his staff by mislead- information heretofore unknown congregations are perfect or that all ing Christians in thinking that they and be able to date the coming of congregations have other than fallible should no longer practice the ordi- Jesus. Many others before Camp- humans that make them up. How- nances of Baptism or the Lord’s Sup- ing have claimed to have this ever, we do not have to conclude, as per. During his initial comments at 32 insight.’’ Camping subtly suggests, that all the September 20 staff meeting, Camping affirmed his obsolescence of The PFO article then observed: congregations are deceived and ruled by Satan. He just does not make his the Lord’s Supper. Later, in the em- ‘‘Hebrew scholars Keil and Del- point. He starts with his own verdict. ployee question and answer session, a itzsch deal at length with these discerning staff member queried Further, Camping’s use of the verses from Daniel. In Volume 9, Camping with 1 Corinthians 11:26 church of Sardis is wrong. In Revela- pp. 312-313, they show that the (‘‘For whenever you eat this bread tion, Christ addresses seven churches, Hebrew text has to do with the and drink this cup, you proclaim the each of them differently. There is no preservation of Scripture, that Lord’s death until He comes’’). The biblical proof that Sardis primarily Daniel’s prophecies will be verse is as clear as day. This ordi- represents any church but itself. guarded and preserved until nance is to continue until Jesus re- their fulfillment. The ‘sealing of Revelation 3:2-3 indicates that God turns. It is ‘‘until He comes.’’ the believer’ by the Holy Spirit is was not through with the church at Unfortunately, Camping never an- the preservation of the believer. Sardis. Camping’s mangling of the swered the question. As is his custom, The text suggests the rendering text imposes something on Scripture and as he so often does, he evades the ‘preserved in security against de- that is not there. Keep in mind Jesus’ question altogether and goes into a filement’ or ‘in safety continue to words to the people at Sardis: ‘‘Be filibuster about Old Testament cer- the end.’ The verses are not a watchful and strengthen the things emonial laws which have nothing at license for private interpreta- that remain, that are ready to die, for I all to do with the issue. He calls the have not found your works perfect tion.’’33 New Testament ordinances of Bap- before God. Remember, therefore, tism and the Lord’s Supper ceremo- To state it again, these verses are an how you have received and heard; nial laws. Camping mistakes verbos- indication of future fulfillment and a hold fast and repent.’’ Christ then ity for explanation. He even talks guarantee from God as to their com- proceeds to speak of those in Sardis about creeds, which take the pre- ing to pass — not an interpretive who walk with Him and will be tended answer even further afield. scheme or a mystical unfolding to one honored and confessed by Him. This individual. It has nothing to do with is not Camping’s message at all. Here, in his many words and in our understanding, but with God’s Christ honored the remnant in Sardis many other places, Camping makes a

April-June 2002 The Quarterly Journal · 21 major category mistake. A category and defined by the Second Coming of Camping seems to want to get rid mistake would be like discussing the Jesus Christ. of the word ‘‘pastor’’ (Greek: poimen), physical make-up of a man by study- which means ‘‘shepherd,’’ and is of- Camping would rob us of this ing a rock. There is a huge difference ten used of Jesus. It is used in Acts ordinance and our Lord’s command. between the two, and they are each of 20:17, 28, and again in Ephesians 4:11 In contrast, Paul warns: ‘‘If anyone a totally different category. Though to indicate the ministry committed to does not consent to wholesome elders.39 Baptism and Circumcision are paral- words, even the words of our Lord leled by Paul in the New Testament, Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine that In Camping’s design, elders and and the Lord’s Supper is paralleled accords with godliness, he is proud, deacons, along with all their responsi- with the Passover, they are different knowing nothing, but is obsessed bilities, should be clipped from major categories by content and meaning. with disputes and arguments over portions of Scriptures. We are also left What applies to the duration of the words’’ (1 Timothy 6:3-4). with no church-planting missionaries, Old Testament ceremonies is never Likewise, Baptism is clearly out- and a hymn book much reduced in said to apply to Baptism and the lined in Matthew 28 and is never said size since we can no longer sing, ‘‘The Lord’s Supper. The purpose of the to be olam, but is to be practiced Church’s one foundation,’’ or any parallel is to show how one is fulfilled continually until the end of the songs that remotely relate to Baptism in the other. That is, that the Old is present age (vv. 19-20). Christ will tell or the Lord’s Supper. Can this new fulfilled in the New. Camping also us by His coming when the end of the thing be called Christianity at all? slips in the idea that Baptism and the age is. Does Camping really realize the rami- Lord’s Supper are ‘‘ceremonial laws.’’ fications and extent of this bizarre Camping then goes on to try to The New Testament never identifies path on which he is trying to take us? twist the Baptism of Matthew 28:19 them that way. and make it Spirit baptism.38 This Ultra-dispensationalism has been Bible students know that many of does not hold water, since it is a fought vigorously by the Church since the Jewish ceremonial ordinances command that the Apostles were told the 1920s and 1930s because it robs us were said to be ‘‘forever.’’ The He- to do to others. One person cannot of a portion of the Bible and truth brew word translated ‘‘forever’’ in the ‘‘Spirit baptize’’ another person — needed by the Church. Dr. Harry Old Testament is olam. The Hebrew only God can. It makes no sense to Ironside informs us that ‘‘some have word olam is wonderfully exegeted read the verse, ‘‘Make disciples and ignored dispensational truth alto- and explained by Bible commentator then you baptize them in the Spirit.’’ gether. Others have swung to an Adam Clarke. Clarke simply says that They would not and could not under- ultra-dispensationalism which is most ‘‘in general a time the limits of which stand it that way. Acts 8, with the pernicious in its effect upon one’s are unknown.’’37 conversion of the Ethiopian and his own soul and upon testimony for God baptism, gives us the confirmation of generally.’’40 Olam can mean age-long or for an the understanding of performing wa- undetermined period of time. The ter baptism after profession of faith. One of the major defects in ultra- English translation (everlasting or for- dispensationalism is its revisionist Camping’s new age has no ever) throws us off. We also know view of the Bible. It reassigned many churches, no ordinances, and no pas- from Jeremiah 31:31 that the Old New Testament passages to a past tors. Responding to Camping’s sever- Testament would be replaced by the dispensation and robbed the Church ing the office of pastors and elders, New Covenant. So Baptism and the of its direction. Ironside addresses this there is no biblical reason for saying Lord’s Supper are totally unrelated to major flaw, stating ‘‘it is insisted that these positions are no longer valid. the past ceremonial laws. Old Testa- the four Gospels are entirely Jewish The Apostle Peter instructs elders to and have no real message for the ment ceremonies and the Lord’s Sup- go on feeding and instructing the per are of different categories. Church, the Body of Christ. All might flock until Jesus returns (1 Peter not put it quite as boldly as this, but Camping seems to think that a long 5:1-4). Peter did not want his charge certainly their disciples go to the limit discourse, responding to anything but to those serving as shepherds misun- in repudiating the authority of the the question, qualifies as an answer. derstood and so he made it very clear. Gospels.’’41 As Camping hems and haws through To read 1 Peter 5:4 in Camping’s REAL RAMIFICATIONS a long dissertation about Old Testa- way, one would have to reword it to ment ceremonies, many have already say, ‘‘When Jesus comes, He better Camping has now gone beyond the forgotten the question, and that the not find you acting like or calling ultra-dispensationalists into an ultra- New Testament text affirms not olam, yourselves pastors.’’ Camping may be ultra-dispensational position. It is but until He comes again. The New forced to come up with a scheme like anti-clerical and anti-ordinance. In his Testament wording is not even close the Jehovah’s Witnesses and suggest view, there is no institutional Church, to olam. The duration is clearly stated that Jesus has already returned. therefore we are in a new era or new

22 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2002 dispensation of some kind, or as The Doctrine of the Church. His words Mr. Camping on other points in (according to his staff) he has called are powerful and perceptive: the past, such as his prediction it, ‘‘the latter rain.’’42 that Christ would return in 1994, ‘‘There is nothing inconsistent or but I stayed with Family Radio The anti-ordinance movement is not incompatible about the contrast- because I believe we can serve new, but shows up occasionally in ing concepts of a local visible the Lord together without having cultic teachings. In the 1880s, ‘‘some church and a universal invisible to agree on every point of doc- preachers advocated doing away with church. Each has its place in the trine. But Harold Camping’s lat- Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (the plan and revelation of God. To est teaching, that every church is ordinances).’’43 Similarly, the Anabap- deny or despise either is to apostate, and that all Christians tist Ambrosians ‘‘taught that ministers repudiate a considerable part of are to leave their churches, and were unnecessary.’’44 Fortunately God’s word. Man is, of course, that the office of Pastor and the these things were short-lived. an extremist by nature, so there office of deacon are no longer is always a danger of one’s going Like it or not, Camping’s followers, valid, is crossing the line into too far in one direction or an- by virtue of his extremes, have a new severe heresy, and I can no other. One can dote on or even Bible. It is a cut-and-paste Bible full of longer serve the Lord in a minis- make a fetish of the local church passages that now have no meaning. try that hurts the body of Christ while utterly disregarding the These archaic passages may have in this way.’’47 teachings of Scripture on the one helped the Church for 2,000 years, but universal spiritual body of Sadly, spiritual schizophrenia has no longer. We must now, in essence, Christ. On the other hand, it is set in with some remaining employ- jettison large parts of First Timothy possible for one to glory so much ees and they have rationalized their and Second Timothy and parts of in membership in the universal staying on with Family Radio, saying Titus since they are addressed to church that he fails to pay proper that they will quietly object to Camp- churches and are for church use, respect to the visible churches on ing’s ideas since the work has done church structure, and church govern- earth. Either situation represents such good in the past.48 They will live ment. We must throw out all passages an abnormal and unbalanced ap- that instruct elders and deacons, or with extremes in false teaching be- proach. As is the case in so many instruct the Church regarding elders cause part of the station still broad- areas of Christian belief, the truth and deacons. casts good music and good teachings. lies between two extremes.Abal- Some urge listeners to turn off their Just as Thomas Jefferson hoped to anced view of the New Testament radios when Camping comes on. They eliminate certain things that he teachings on the church compre- will not mention churches or pastors, deemed unneeded and false with his hends an understanding and ap- and pray for God to resolve the mess. amended The Jefferson Bible,45 Camp- preciation of the oneness of all ing now stands as final judge and sole God’s people in the invisible Revelation 22 points strongly to the arbiter and interpreter of sacred Scrip- church and a recognition of the perpetuity or continuance of local ture. We must seek his approval and importance of the local church churches until Jesus returns. The con- imprimatur on what is in and what is and its tasks. ... Until the middle text clearly is His Second Coming — out. of the 19th century it never ‘‘I am coming quickly’’ (vv. 7, 12, 20). Camping tries to relegate every- occurred to anyone that there In the midst of that Jesus announces: thing to an understanding of only a was an inconsistency in holding ‘‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify 46 universal Church (spiritual remnant to both.’’ to you these things for the churches.I am the root and offspring of David, Church) — that is, just born-again CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE? believers in the world. He is critical of the bright and morning star’’ (v. 16). creeds especially as they relate to PFO applauds the courage of Joseph Christ gives His grace to the churches Church structure and ordinances, but Jacowitz, an 18-year veteran at Family (v. 21), not His condemnation. From does not deal with the fact that some Radio on KEAR- and the testimony of Scripture, it appears churches do not use creeds. Though the host of the network’s ‘‘Prayer- that churches are there right up to the the majority of the references to time’’ program for ten years. On end. It is promised by the Alpha and “Church” in the New Testament are a Monday, Nov. 5, 2001, Jacowitz re- Omega. local body, we are to dismiss those. signed publicly over the airwaves, Camping certainly fits the sociologi- Camping is wrong in playing one stating: cal definition of a , as offered by aspect of the Church against the ‘‘In good conscience I can no Ron Rhodes. Rhodes writes that the other. longer be identified with a minis- ‘‘Sociological characteristics of cults Rev. John Thornbury, a biographer try whose President calls for the include such things as authoritarian- of David Brainerd, wrote a masterful destruction and dissolution of ism, exclusivism, dogmatism, isola- biblical treatment of the Church titled, the church. I have disagreed with tionism, and threats of satanic

April-June 2002 The Quarterly Journal · 23 attack.’’49 Camping scores big in four all death tends to disorganiza- pp. 209-210. out of five characteristics. tion. Accordingly, a church in the 29. Harry Ironside, Daniel The Prophet. sense of a formal organization is New York: Loizeaux Brothers, 1960, pg. Camping in the past has had failed 248. as truly a divine institution as the prophecies, and now in the present 30. Johann Keil and Franz Delitzsch, church in the sense of a spiritual has false teaching. In the future, he Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand organism. He who is too good will have a floundering organization, Rapids, Mich.: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing for a local, visible church is not Co., 1983, Vol. 9, pg. 310. because some people are jumping good enough for the universal, 31. Letter to PFO, Oct. 30, 2001, ellipsis ship for conscience sake. invisible church.’’51 and parenthesis in original, copy on file. In the reverse of the biblical charac- 32. ‘‘Will Jesus Return in 1994?’’, op. cit., pg. 13. ter Samson, who destroyed the Philis- Endnotes: 33. Ibid. 1. See further, G. Richard Fisher, ‘‘Will tine temple, Camping may bring 34. Has the Era of the Church Age Come to an down and destroy Family Radio. He Jesus Return in 1994? The Prognostications of Harold Camping,’’ The Quarterly Jour- End?, op. cit., pg. 4. may hurt and injure as many in his nal, Vol. 13, No. 1, and ‘‘Ready for 35. See further, The Zondervan Pictorial declining years as he helped earlier. Failure? The Further Prognostications of Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Sandwich hermeneutics packed with Harold Camping,’’ The Quarterly Journal, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1975, tainted meat may be his end. It will Vol. 14, No. 3. Vol. 5, pg. 278. surely not be the end of the Church in 2. Harold Camping, 1994? New York: 36. See further, Colin J. Hemer, The Letters Vantage Press, 1992, pg. 533. to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local its local manifestation. The Church 3. ‘‘Family Radio Staff Meeting,’’ Sept. 20, Setting. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. Eerd- and churches will march on. Camping 2001, tape on file. mans Publishing Co., 1989, pp. 258-259. cannot succeed in simplistically re- 4. Harold Camping, Has the Era of the 37. Adam Clarke, Clarke’s Commentary. ducing everything to Church univer- Church Age Come to an End? Oakland: New York: Abingdon Press, no date, Vol. sal. Family Stations, Inc., no date, pg. 3. 1, pg. 137, italic in original. 5. Ibid., pg. 4. 38. ‘‘Family Radio Staff Meeting,’’ op. cit. The words of John Thornbury offer 6. Ibid., pg. 5. 39. See further, W.E. Vine, Vine’s Complete this fitting conclusion: 7. Joni Eareckson Tada, More Precious Than Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testa- Silver. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan ment Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson ‘‘Without a doubt, the local Publishing House, 1998, entry for Novem- Publishers, 1984, New Testament section, church has a very important ber 26. pg. 462. place in the New Testament. One 8. Ibid. 40. Harry Ironside, Miscellaneous Papers. who would discredit or minimize 9. Has the Era of the Church Age Come to an New York: Loizeaux Bros., Inc., 1945, Vol. the significance of this divinely End?, op. cit., pg. 6, bold in original. 2, last chapter, pg. 8. ordained institution or forsake it 10. Ibid., pg. 7. 41. Ibid. 42. ‘‘Family Radio Staff Meeting,’’ op. cit. under any pretense whatever has 11. Ibid., pp. 7-9. 43. Stephen Lang, 1001 Things You Always committed a grievous fault.’’50 12. Ibid., pg. 11. 13. Ibid., pg. 12. Wanted to Know About the Holy Spirit. Thornbury closes his volume with 14. Ibid., pp. 12-13. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999, pg. 103. the words of G. Dana Boardman, 15. Ibid., pg. 17. 44. Ibid., pg. 184. 16. Ibid. former pastor of First Baptist Church 45. See further, Daniel G. Reid, editor, The 17. ‘‘Family Radio Staff Meeting,’’ op. cit. of Philadelphia: Dictionary of Christianity in America. Down- 18. Has the Era of the Church Age Come to an ers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1990, pg. ‘‘Not that I would for a moment End?, op. cit., pg. 18. 590. 19. Ibid., pp. 19-20. hint that we do not need church 46. John Thornbury, The Doctrine of the organizations or the enforcement 20. Ibid., pg. 21. Church. Lewisburg, Pa.: Heritage Publish- of our Master’s ordinances. These 21. Ibid. ers, 1971, pp. 191-192, italics in original. we must have and must strenu- 22. Ibid., pg. 22. 47. Pastor Joe Jacowitz, ‘‘Prayer-time’’ ously maintain; for they are, at 23. Ibid. program, Nov. 5, 2001, transcript of clos- 24. Ibid., pp. 22-23. least in this world, essential not ing comments of broadcast on file. Avail- 25. Benjamin Netanyahu, Fighting Terror- able online at: www.geocities.com/ only to the spread of the gospel, ism. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, daverastetter/camping_prayertime.htm. but also to the preservation of 2001, pg. 130. 48. See further information posted on the Christian life itself. Indeed, I 26. ‘‘Will Jesus Return in 1994?’’, op. cit., www.familyradioiswrong.com. am almost ready to affirm that pg. 1. 49. Ron Rhodes, The Challenge of the Cults without churches — that is, for- 27. 1994?, op. cit., pp. 52-54. and New Religions. Grand Rapids, Mich.: mal organizations — we could 28. See, for example, Merrill F. Unger, Zondervan Publishing House, 2001, pg. hardly have the church — that is, Archaeology and the New Testament. Grand 31. Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing 50. The Doctrine of the Church, op. cit., pg. the spiritual organism of which I House, 1975, pp. 40-46; and Paul L. Maier, 190. am speaking to-day. In fact, all Josephus - The Essential Writings. Grand 51. Ibid., pp. 207-208. life tends to organization, even as Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1988, g 24 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2002