Late last year, ,a by G. Richard Fisher band Randy are doing. Paula’s mix- magazine characterized in recent and M. Kurt Goedelman ture of Word Faith teaching, self-help times by doctrinal entropy, offered a concepts, false prophesies, and out- sound observation: of-context verses to support her con- with the weak, the frail, and the fused theology is a stew which is, at ‘‘Pentecostalized Christianity is insignificant. Think back on the con- best, spiritually non-nutritional and, nearly synonymous with the trast between Herod the Great, the prosperity gospel. So while we at worst, deadly. Claiming that she ‘‘King of the Jews’’ installed by the listen to our brothers and sisters, may temporarily help some people Roman Senate in 37 B.C., who built a we also need to proclaim biblical cannot be the final arbiter, because kingdom of stone; and Jesus Christ, truths that counter the ‘health cults, New Age advocates, psycholo- the ‘‘King of the Jews’’ born in a and wealth’ message. The spirit- gists, and the like all claim the same stable and who built a kingdom of ual gift most needed in the 21st thing. The discerning Christian must century is the gift of discernment people. inquire if her teachings are true to (1 Cor. 12:10).’’1 The Apostle Peter warned that indi- Scripture. Paul warned that we should not ‘‘think beyond what is About the same time, the Reuters viduals and groups, both small and large, can twist and distort the Scrip- written’’ (1 Corinthians 4:6) and Jesus news service published a small article sternly said, ‘‘the word that I have with the headline, ‘‘Hundreds sick on ture (2 Peter 3:16). No doubt, the bigger and more impressive the group spoken will judge him in the last day’’ world’s largest cruise ship.’’2 Al- (John 12:48). though neither the headline nor the is, even twisted Scripture may seem article had anything to do with to- straight. The peer pressure of a large PAULA WHO? group can overcome reality. Illusion, day’s megachurches, it did draw a On Jan. 1, 2005, the Tampa Tribune very practical conclusion along this after all, sometimes feels better and more real than reality. listed Paula as one of ‘‘Tampa Bay’s line. How so? Because bigger is not 25 People to Watch.’’ Last year the always better. Bigger is not always Twisting the Scriptures is a serious online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, of- safe or healthy. matter. Saying that God said some- fered a brief biography of Paula Islam, for instance, has more than a thing when He did not is a lie and White: borders on blasphemy. So many billion followers. If bigger were auto- ‘‘Paula White is a Christian Word Faith teachers are quick to say matically better, Islam would be very, evangelist. She is currently co- that God ‘‘told’’ them various things, very good. The ruins of massive pastor of Without Walls Interna- when in fact He didn’t. To try to use pagan temples all over Greece and tional Church, a megachurch in God’s Word to foster teaching that is Turkey tell us that heathens in dark- Tampa, Florida along with her really unbiblical is a horrible distor- ness believed their gods would be husband Randy. She speaks in tion and fabrication. It is a horrible lie impressed by bigger buildings. Yet a many conferences nationwide, with horrible consequences. baby in a manger in an obscure especially targeting hurting village says something different and This is what popular televangelist women. Her small stature (she is reminds us that God can do wonders Paula White and her ‘‘Bishop’’ hus- only about 5 feet, 2 inches tall)

4 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2007 when she enters a room does not I just knew my life was suddenly ship of 5,000 in 1988, a dispute over match with her powerful ‘big radically changed.’’7 Strader’s leadership started the lady’ voice. Through ‘unction of However, records show Paula was church on a steady decline. By the the Holy Ghost’, she can belt out less than five months shy of her 20th time WWIC purchased the facility, many prophesies. She admires birthday when her son Bradley was renaming it Without Walls Central, T.D. Jakes as her ‘spiritual born.8 Thus, the data seems to indi- Strader’s flock was said to have father’. Living the good life as a cate that the birth of her “out of ‘‘dwindled to 1,500.’’9 child in Tupelo, Mississippi; it wedlock” son and her failed marriage In July 2005, the Tampa Tribune abruptly ended when Paula’s followed — not preceded — her reported that WWIC was the nation’s family went ‘astray’. She then conversion when her ‘‘life was sud- fastest-growing church, having added lived the rest of her teenage life denly radically changed.’’ through poverty and sexual 4,330 attendees during the previous 10 abuse until 17, when she found a Last January, the Without Walls year. That figure significantly Bible one day. She married International Church web site claimed eclipsed Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Randy, a recent graduate of Lee College (now Lee University) in 1989. After two years of ministry in the Washington, D.C. area, they moved to Tampa and started what became Without Walls in 1991. She hosts Paula White Today, a talk show which airs on several Christian televi- sion stations nationwide.’’3 The timeline Paula gives for her conversion to Christianity conflicts with other documentary evidence. Ac- cording to a Tampa Tribune article, in 2004, on the then rising evangelist, ‘‘She had a child out of wedlock at age 18, then married. But the union only lasted a year.’’4 The newspaper offers details of her conversion: ‘‘Her son was still an infant, she was still a teenager, when a Christian friend showed her pas- In June 2005, the Whites’ Without Walls International Church agreed to sages in the Bible that offered her purchase Carpenter’s Home Church in nearby Lakeland. The 10,000-seat comfort and compelled her to auditorium, located on a 75-acre campus, was sold for about $8 million. embrace God in her life.’’5 It was renamed Without Walls Central and dedicated on Sept. 11, 2005. Her late-teen conversion is con- firmed in an interview Paula gave to 18,000 members. A month later Church in Houston, which had an The 700 Club. She said that when she Paula’s ministry web site was claim- increase of 3,000 attendees. was 18 years old, ‘‘I got saved! I got ing a membership of 26,000. Helping Amid all this growth, hardly an rescued. I was radically changed.’’6 fuel its growth, WWIC signed a con- eyebrow is raised regarding Paula’s Paula confirmed her conversion at age tract in June 2005 to purchase Carpen- constant praise of T.D. Jakes, whom 18 in another interview: ter’s Home Church in nearby Lake- she calls her ‘‘spiritual father’’11 and land. The 10,000-seat auditorium, lo- ‘‘I had never heard the gospel ‘‘spiritual mentor.’’12 Jakes enmeshes cated on a 75-acre campus, was sold until I was 18 years old, and I himself in a Oneness Pentecostal the- to Without Walls for about $8 million. had not been in church. Then I ology which denies the doctrine of the Carpenter’s Home Church was built was at a friend’s house, and his and espouses the heresy of in 1984, under the leadership of its uncle said, ‘I can give you the Modalism.13 To this end, Paula has pastor, the Rev. Karl Strader. When answer to the love you’re looking never offered a disclaimer. And Jakes the structure was built, Strader for and for the hope you need.’ reciprocates Paula’s admiration. He led me to Christ — I heard claimed worshippers from Central the gospel for the first time [and] Florida would fill its sanctuary. How- Paula’s mannerisms and cadence my life was radically changed. ... ever, one year after a peak member- when on stage is reminiscent of Jakes’

April-June 2007 The Quarterly Journal · 5 style. Charisma magazine noted that God getting ready to release WHITES’ TESTI-MONEY some refer to her as ‘‘Barbie-like.’’14 something in your spirit. There’s Others observe that if she slowed a turn-around anointing. ... I’ve Though the Word Faith teachers down a bit she would, in fact, re- got a word for you. Grab the have taught their hard-core followers semble a female Joel Osteen. person next to you, grab their to believe that their gurus should be hand, throw your hands up high rich and live luxuriously (they de- THE PAULA SHOW in the air. Because God’s getting serve it and God wants it for them, after all), the Whites have come under There is little doubt that Paula has a ready to release a prophetic fire for their lavish lifestyle. Because natural gift to speak by rote. Her word to you right now. ... Well, they teach the prosperity gospel — rhetoric is reminiscent of a scene in I’ve got a word of the Lord. that Christians should be financially the movie The Truman Show where Should we go with a word? And wealthy — they certainly live that Truman Burbank, the character this is God getting ready to do message: played by Jim Carrey, begins to real- something significant. God [is] ize that everything is a show being getting ready to do something. I ‘‘An August 2002 profile in the orchestrated around him. As he sits in came with a prophetic word. The Tampa Tribune described the his car in his driveway, he watches beginning of this year, God Whites’ $2.1 million home over- the same scene play over and over spoke to me on an extended fast. looking Hillsborough Bay, Fla., again in the rearview mirror. First, a And He said this would be the two luxury cars, a private jet on lady rides by on a red bike, then a man year of the supernatural. God loan from a friend and a com- walks by carrying a bouquet of flow- would add His super to your bined salary of about $300,000 ers, finally a VW Beetle with a dented natural. ... Well, how do I know from their church, plus an fender drives by. A few minutes later the Lord’s speaking to me? Be- $80,000 annual housing allow- the very same scene plays over, and cause you’re going to feel an ance.’’18 unction in your spirit.’’15 then over again. Truman exclaims, Apparently, the staff of Without ‘‘They’re on a loop. ... They just go WONDER WOMAN Walls International Church knows round and round.’’ Paula is much the what the Whites want and need. In a same; catch her for five minutes and On her ministry’s web site, Paula is letter sent to the congregation, dated you may well have her full content — unabashedly advertised as a ‘‘Pastor, Oct. 31, 2002, it was stated that a and even the full content isn’t a lot. Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, ‘‘literal translation’’ of 1 Timothy 5:17 Author, Philanthropist, TV Person- Perhaps, to make up for a lack of meant that the people were supposed ality, Wife, Mother, Preacher and content, she thinks that by speaking to ‘‘beat or pulverize’’ the Whites ‘‘with Teacher.’’ One almost wants to add, loudly and fiercely, she can impress. monetary reward.’’ The staff went on to ‘‘And she can leap tall buildings in a And it does impress some. However, write, ‘‘we are asking everyone, who single bound.’’ there is a big difference between are both willing and able, to join with machine-gunning information at Paula has played into and plays off us, in sowing a love offering of at people and real understanding and the worn-out self-help movement and least $100.00 per household into the application. Her delivery is so fast- the declining fads of people such as lives of Pastors Randy and Paula. We paced that it overwhelms the listener, Bruce Wilkerson and Tony Robbins.16 certainly understand that some will who has little time to evaluate what is After one of her appearances on the prefer to sow $500.00, $1,000.00, being said. With talk of birthing Show, she was critiqued in $10,000 or more.’’19 visions and birthing dreams coming the following manner: Of course, ‘‘double honor’’ (1 Timo- fast and furious, the hearer may give ‘‘Paula White says her becoming thy 5:17) does not really mean ‘‘beat up trying to keep up and just con- a Christian was ‘crucial to her or pulverize’’ with money. Such is a clude, ‘‘She must be right because she success.’ Christianity has now silly perverted twist from a prosperity seems so forceful, so sincere, and so become just another self-im- gospel mindset. The verse simply committed.’’ provement measure that will means that if a church has true, And when Paula speaks, she wants help low self-esteem and get you trustworthy, and godly elders (i.e., you to know that it’s no mere mortal on the track to be all that you can elders who rule well), that the local words being offered. A few minutes be. No mention of sin, no men- church should make sure to pay them into her message, she will tell her tion of God’s holiness, no need so that they are not lacking. The next audience: for a Savior for our souls, just verse illustrates this and informs us Jesus as a ‘Life Coach’ buddy that, ‘‘The laborer is worthy of his ‘‘I feel a set-up anointing. ... But who can provide therapeutic an- wages.’’ It does not mean make them I’m prophesying from the Lord swers for our obesity, eating rich — or ‘‘beat them with money.’’ right now. ... I don’t know who disorders, drug addiction, social I’m prophesying to, but I feel the problems and a bad self-im- Charles Ryrie points out that double Holy Ghost in this place. I feel age.’’17 honor means ‘‘Respect and remunera-

6 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2007 tion (v. 18). The church was beginning How do I get it? Get up and go Bible were fixed by the end of to face the problem of financial sup- to the phone and become part of the Masoretic period. The divi- port of its workers.’’20 a vision that is bigger than you. sion into verses is quite early; it When you begin to sow up, you Just a few weeks after the appeal by can be traced back to the early go up. And God is doing great the WWIC staff, another letter went centuries of the Christian era. things with TBN. This is a great There were fluctuations of prac- out to the faithful of Paula White ministry — the greatest ministry tice with regard to verse division Ministries. This one, dated Nov. 25, that God is raising up.’’23 in various centres; the standard 2002, requested they become ‘‘a 2003 division of the Old Testament World Partner with Paula White.’’ In Then came her pitch: into verses which has come the correspondence, Paula announced, ‘‘When the Holy Ghost begins to down to our own day and is ‘‘I have a word from the Lord for you speak to you, I want you to get found in most translations as that will TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE in up and go to your phone and for well as in the Hebrew original 2003. God has given me instruction the next 12 months I want you to was fixed by the Masoretic fam- on how you can reach the next sow 68 dollars and 19 cents. You ily of Ben Asher about A.D. 900. spiritual level while helping this min- would say, ‘Why 68-19?’ Because ... The division into chapters on istry launch a powerful new year of Psalm 68:19 says, ‘daily God the other hand, is much later, ministry. ... Partner, I believe God loads you up with benefits.’’’24 and probably was first carried has joined you and me in a COVE- through by Cardinal Hugh of St. 21 In March 2004, she again was doing NANT CONNECTION.’’ The bot- Cher in 1244.’’28 tom line on God’s instruction and fund-raising for TBN. This time she becoming a 2003 World Partner with set the amount from Psalm 71:21, Using chapter and verse numbers Paula White was “to commit a gift of meaning $71.21: (from the Bible) in an arbitrary and at least $20 a month” or ‘‘you may ‘‘When God speaks to you, you subjective way as Paula does, shows want to give $50 or $100, or even better praise Him, you better go that she is a product of cultural more each month.’’22 to the phone and sow $71.21.’’25 conditioning. She is really postmod- ern in her thinking, though she prob- MAGIC NUMBERS In April 2005, the magic number ably would not know what postmod- was $66.12. That figure from Psalm ernism is. This view, also called de- One of Paula’s fund-raising meth- 66:12 was at that time, ‘‘the instruc- constructionism, marks all the new ods is to tell people there is a major tion of the Lord’’ for the next twelve prophets as they turn the Bible on its breakthrough waiting to happen in months.26 So now it was $66.12 a head through subjective twisting and their lives if they will sow the right month. distorting of the text. Barbara Lipstadt amount. Sowing, of course, means makes this salient observation: sending her the money or sending it This is so contrary to the intent of to the organization for which she is Scripture that it is close to blasphemy. ‘‘[Postmodernism] began to raising the money. The amount she Linking God to these kinds of emerge in the late 1960s. Various calls the ‘‘instruction of the Lord’’ and schemes is frightening. It is a little scholars began to argue that texts it is, many times, a Psalm chapter and more sanitary than trying to find had no fixed meaning. The verse. direction by divining animal livers reader’s interpretation, not the and entrails as the ancients did, but in author’s intention, determined For instance, in November 2002 on its essence it is pagan divination.27 meaning. Duke University pro- the Trinity Broadcasting Network, she fessor Stanley Fish is most used Psalm 68:19. First came Paula’s Some might say, ‘‘Don’t you believe closely associated with this ap- windup: God could do it this way?’’ The short proach in the literary field. ... answer is that God would not do it ‘‘So God is speaking to you. And Others rightfully worried that it this way. Chapter and verse numbers when God begins to speak to you opened the doors of the acad- — because I’m about to are not inspired, but were put in the emy, and of society at large, to prophesy. I didn’t come to text simply to help us refer to and an array of farfetched notions preach, I came to prophesy. Been find passages in Scripture. Moreover, that could no longer be dis- locked away with the Lord. Had the New Testament is filled with missed out of hand simply be- my hand on the pulse of God. information regarding principles for cause they were absurd. ... It also Put my ear to the bosom of God. giving. We do not need mystical fostered an atmosphere in which And God has given me a word numbers and contrived esoteric it became harder to say that an for you. And when I begin to teachings to give us that information. idea was beyond the pale of deliver that word, you have to rational thought. ... it created an F.F. Bruce explains: jump in. You have to get in atmosphere of permissiveness to- synchronization with the Holy ‘‘Some of the divisions which ward questioning the meaning of Spirit and activate the word. appear in copies of the Hebrew historical events and made it

April-June 2007 The Quarterly Journal · 7 hard for proponents to assert transform your mind, to take you dren. The Donald — living in the that there was anything ‘off lim- to where you want to live.’’30 lap of luxury, flying around in its’ for this skeptical approach. his own private jet, hosting his What two spiritual giants would This relativistic approach to the own reality program, The Appren- appear? The introduction continued: truth has permeated the arena of tice, and here on this ‘Christian’ popular culture, where there is ‘‘If you want to change the way program to share his worldly an increasing fascination with, you live, change your thinking. I wisdom with all of us: how to and acceptance of, the irratio- want them to bring their wisdom become rich — how to become a nal.’’29 to you today, give people tools to billionaire.’’33 really transform their lives.’’31 One may be surprised — and glad The pitch finally came and people for her donors — that God did not The two icons of wisdom and mind could get the book for a ‘‘gift’’ of $25 give Paula Psalm 150 — but that may transformation were with Paula’s promise that ‘‘It will be forthcoming. and co-author Robert Kiyosaki ready radically change your life. ... Then you can have the life you’ve been dreaming of.’’34 Paula’s ministry is still making the book available. For $25, one can purchase the ‘‘Why We Want You To Be Rich’’ pack from Paula White Ministries.35 Not only will ‘‘Trump and Kiyosaki teach you what they believe you need to know to be rich,’’ but ‘‘To complete this powerful message, Paula has included her teaching on ‘The Value of a Vision’ on CD.’’36 The Apostle Paul would say: ‘‘Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with dark- ness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of The White House: In June 2002, Paula and Randy purchased a $2,150,000, five-bedroom, 8759 square foot English Manor home at one of the city’s premier God with idols?’’ (2 Corinthians 6:14- addresses on Bayshore Boulevard overlooking Hillsborough Bay in Tampa. 16). The only thing Paula should be saying to Donald Trump is that he needs to repent and turn to Christ. How in the world (and in the Name GOD, PAULA, AND DONALD to hawk their new book, Why We of God) can she hold him up as a WANT YOU RICH Want You To Be Rich. Paula’s ministry paragon of wisdom and mind trans- overstated and hyped the program as formation for believers? The Apostle Last fall, Paula hit another low- a ‘‘groundbreaking interview’’ and an Paul called for a transformed mind, water mark in her cheapening of the ‘‘unprecedented media event.’’32 but it is through Scripture and the Christian faith. In October 2006, her Holy Spirit that it occurs, not the television broadcast, Paula White Here is a justified reaction from one ungodly example of ungodly people Today, was titled, ‘‘Discover God’s apologetics ministry: who are obviously living for the flesh. Abundant Life for You.’’ The show ‘‘Yes — the Donald. Donald opened with a sensationalistic hook THE WHITE HOUSE Trump — to give you the wis- regarding her two featured guests. dom of the world to transform In June 2002, the Whites secured a She appealed to the element of sur- your life! I mean, who wouldn’t $2 million, 30-year mortgage to pur- prise with a buildup: want a life like his? On his fourth chase a $2,150,000, five-bedroom, 8759 ‘‘Two of the greatest minds that marriage — all to beautiful (at square foot English Manor home at have ever been raised up for least by outer appearance) one of the city’s premier addresses on such a time as this, are here to women who mothered his chil- Hillsborough Bay in Tampa.37 The

8 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2007 average list price for a home in this ‘Slap somebody upside the head your God loves you’’ (23:5). The book area is $530,910.38 and say, “Reverse the curse!”’”40 of Proverbs assures us that a ‘‘curse’’ is like a flying bird that cannot land If one considers the taxes and The word ‘‘curse’’ is in the Bible, (26:2). Paula’s teaching is a grave but it is quite a different concept than maintenance on a $2.1 million home, error which can put sensitive souls taught by Paula. In the Old along with deployment of a private into great bondage. jet, it is no wonder the Whites are Testament, the word ‘‘curse’’ more constantly begging for donations and often than not refers to God’s GREAT CLAIMS — are so up-front with their money judgment, as in Deuteronomy 27:11- NO EVIDENCE pitches. Paula often claims God tells 26. The word ‘‘curse,’’ used of her the exact amount each person is judgment, is attached to various sins Paula White, like so many Charis- supposed to send. Donors never think such as idolatry (Deuteronomy 27:15), matic extremists, makes mighty about the fact that the prosperity immorality (Deuteronomy 27:20-21), claims and boasts of incredible feats. message does not work for them, but bribery (Deuteronomy 27:25), and — However, they turn out to be bogus. only for the ones they are sending just as important — repentance, She claims a vision when she was 18 money to. Paula does not have to sing forgiveness, and obedience are the years old and has shared it in various as many did years ago, ‘‘I’ve got a obvious antidotes. places: mansion just over the hilltop in that The word ‘‘curse’’ was used in the ‘‘‘The Lord showed me millions bright land where you’ll never grow Balaam story in Numbers 23, not in of people,’ she says. ‘When I old.’’ She has her mansion here and the sense of some inherent power to would open my mouth, masses now. be magically applied to someone, but and millions of people would get This is a far cry from the self-denial rather as a wish or pronouncement of saved, delivered or healed. But of Jesus and the apostles. It is foreign non-favor. Balaam admitted that he when I shut my mouth, the could not undo God’s favor. He said, people would fall into utter dark- to ‘‘Do not lay up for yourselves 41 treasures on earth, where moth and ‘‘How shall I curse whom God has ness.’’’ rust destroy and where thieves break not cursed? And how shall I de- Obviously these kinds of statements in and steal’’ (Matthew 6:19). It is nounce whom the LORD has not are for effect.42 Now more than two distant from Moses who esteemed denounced?’’ (Numbers 23:8). The decades later the millions saved, de- “the reproach of Christ greater riches word “denounce” is the equivalent of livered, or healed have not material- than the treasures in Egypt’’ (Hebrews the word ‘‘curse.’’ ized. A spiritual awakening of this 11:26). It is apart from those who, In the New Testament, the only magnitude would be obvious every- destitute, afflicted, and tormented, curse referred to is the ‘‘curse’’ of sin, where and reported widely. The hype wandered in deserts and mountains guilt, and lostness that Jesus removes is reminiscent of the bogus claims and caves of the earth (Hebrews 11:37- from every believer. Paul writes: made by the leaders of the now 38). It seems that all these hadn’t been defunct ‘‘Pensacola Revival’’ at the given the prosperity message. ‘‘For as many as are of the works Brownsville Assembly of God. This of the law are under the curse; kind of exaggerated claim has long It appears that the Whites have for it is written, ‘Cursed is every- been a part of at least seven non- been a staple of Pentecostalized Chris- one who does not continue in all tianity, which gained prominence in profit, six profit, and one limited things which are written in the liability corporations since 1991.39 It is the 1940s with the Latter Rain Move- book of the law, to do them.’ But 43 hard to tell how many of these ment. that no one is justified by the law continue. in the sight of God is evident, for It is similar to another claim Paula BREAK THE CURSE ‘the just shall live by faith.’ Yet made last year when she wrote, ‘‘It is the law is not of faith, but ‘the through our hands that Jesus will heal 44 Paula also teaches the idea that man who does them shall live by the sick, raise the dead.’’ Paula is Christians can have curses on them them.’ Christ has redeemed us from living in an illusion and the deluded that need breaking, and she may well the curse of the law, having be- are following along. be the one who can do it. Of course, come a curse for us (for it is Christians do not have curses and THE BLIND LEADING written, ‘Cursed is everyone who such teaching is more superstitious THE BLIND hangs on a tree’)’’ (Galatians than it is biblical. In one of her 3:10-13, emphasis added). Paula demonstrates her lack of meetings the following was reported: discernment by quoting favorably Christ has set us free from the only ‘‘‘How many of you know God’s from Helen Keller with no disclaimer. curse that mattered. about to reverse a curse in your Paula, in writing about having and life?’ she asks, her voice booming Indeed, as Deuteronomy states, ‘‘the fulfilling a vision, says that Keller out to the nearly 6,000 church- LORD your God turned the curse into once was asked ‘‘what could possibly goers attending Super Sunday. a blessing for you, because the LORD be worse than blindness.’’45

April-June 2007 The Quarterly Journal · 9 Apparently, Paula thought that He can do nothing for humanity earth is Jehovah’s, and the ful- Keller’s response, ‘‘To have sight, but unless someone asks Him to do ness thereof; the world and they no vision’’ was insightful to her own it.’’’49 that dwell therein’ (Ps. 24:1); message. Despite Paula’s questioning if Wes- ‘woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the The misfortune in this is that Paula ley had the ‘‘answer’’ and her declara- potsherds of the earth! Shall the has cited Keller without qualification. tion that she ‘‘found affirmations in clay say to him that fashioned it, Keller was not only physically blind, the Word’’ to that effect, her (and What makest thou? or thy work, but spiritually blind as well. Keller Wesley’s) concept is a frightening and He hath no hands?’ (Isa. 45:9); followed the occultist and universalist unbiblical thought. The idea that God ‘behold, all souls are mine: as the Emanuel Swedenborg, and in her can do nothing unless someone asks soul of the father, so also the soul 1960 book, Light in My Darkness, Him has staggeringly negative impli- of the son is mine: the soul that advocated without question Sweden- cations. It means that we command sinneth, it shall die’ (Ezek. 18:4); borg’s teachings.46 and control God. Paula may well believe that, as it neatly fits within the ‘all the inhabitants of the earth Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a perimeters of Word Faith errors. are reputed as nothing; and he contemporary of Franz Mesmer and doeth according to his will in the ‘‘is most noted for his communication No one asked God to create the army of heaven, and among the with angelic beings, the results of heavens and the earth. No one asked inhabitants of the earth; and which filled many volumes of God to send a flood or save Noah and none can stay his hand, or say theological treatises and biblical his family. No one asked Jesus to die unto him, What doest thou?’ commentaries. Systematized, his on the cross and rise again. The idea (Dan. 4:35); ‘is it not lawful for thought became the basis of the of God being dependent on man and me to do what I will with mine Church of the New Jerusalem. ... one being unable to act without man is own?’ (Matt. 20:15); ‘who wor- cannot understand Spiritualism with- absurd at best, and heretical at worst. keth all things after the counsel out reference to his thought and his That He even invites us and allows of his will’ (Eph. 1:11). See also metaphysical assumptions, which us to pray is all because of His great Rom. 9:14-24; 11:36; 1 Tim. 6:15; would become major building blocks mercy and grace. A God who is even Rev. 4:11.’’50 taken over by Mary Baker Eddy and slightly dependent on man and easily It must be acknowledged that the her students.’’47 manipulated by man is a figment of a intricacies of prayer in relation to Paula’s error in citing Keller is distorted imagination and a charade. God, and answers to prayer are com- misleading by affirmation. To quote It is a god who is less than the True plex issues and there is no simplistic another person favorably leaves the and Living God. answer. Does God make his plans reader assuming that the writer re- Paula’s teaching sounds like that of contingent upon man? We must ferred to is sound and that all they someone unfamiliar with the sover- answer the question in the negative if say is all right. It endorses the person eignty of God. The Apostle Paul we truly believe in the sovereignty of quoted in the mind of the reader. affirmed, ‘‘For who has known the God. Good and wise men have LIMITING GOD mind of the LORD? Or who has struggled for centuries with the ques- become His counselor? Or who has tions of how prayer and our petitions Not all of Paula’s sources of inspira- first given to Him and it shall be harmonize with the sovereign plan tion are as suspect as Keller. How- repaid to him?’’ (Romans 11:34-35). In and purpose of God. We must be ever, at times, when she does cite a short, God owes us nothing and is not careful to keep a biblical balance lest trusted source, the theology she puts beholden to us. He does not need us, we fall into error on either side. forth is suspect. An example of this is but we desperately need Him. It is He One theologian tries to help us her citation of John Wesley. Paula Who is Lord, and not we ourselves. presents a defective view of God in through the struggle while maintain- her teaching on prayer, when she says Those who would say God makes ing a biblical balance: His plan contingent on man need an that God is restricted to our prayers ‘‘We say, Prayer changes things; introduction to the doctrine of God’s and confessions. Here she mimics the but how does that statement 48 sovereignty: error of David (Paul) Yonggi Cho, harmonize with the sovereign but she does not cite Cho to bolster ‘‘The Scriptures abundantly teach plan and purpose of God? ... The her thinking. She goes much more that God is sovereign in the positive answer to this question mainstream, citing Wesley: universe. Note the following involves a right view of God’s ‘‘During an exhaustive study on statements: ‘All that is in the foreknowledge and foreordina- the subject, I came across an heavens and in the earth is thine; tion. We remind the reader again intriguing quote by John Wesley. thine is the kingdom, O Jehovah, of the fact that God has set He said, ‘It seems that God is and thou art exalted as head certain general bounds within limited by our prayer life — that above all’ (1 Chron. 29:11); ‘the which His universe is to operate.

10 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2007 Within these bounds He has then coming year of 2004, but in very Lord,’’ which by the way, according given man freedom to act. Pre- broad terms. What she said can only to Luke 4, already had happened in venient grace restores the power be described as ‘‘buckshot’’ or ‘‘soft’’ the ministry of Christ. to choose or reject the offer of prophecies. Paula appears to captivate Hinn salvation. Once saved, man has She appears smart enough not to be with a few of her riffs and clichés, the power of the Spirit in his life boxed in with details that can later be such as ‘‘Yesterday is in the tomb, and may cooperate largely or verified. Her prophecies are broad and today is in the womb.’’ She also only in a small degree with the statements that can be interpreted in breaks out into tongues (with no Spirit in the accomplishment of any way the hearer wishes. It is the interpretation). She says that God God’s work. ... God foreknew stuff of which supermarket tabloid actually told her that the triple por- what each man would do in predictions are made. They are much tion would raise up the ‘‘unknown respect to prayer, and embraced like the nebulous words of Nostrada- soldier’’ and that the glory of God that fact in His foreordination. mus, which were more a riddle than would be released on the earth that Thus when a man prays he only clear direction. year. In fact, ‘‘the dead will be carries out what God foresaw he would do, and what He set him down for to do. Where man fails to cooperate with God within the bounds of His predetermined will, there He works by reason of His sovereignty apart from prayer. In doing so, however, as we have already said, He does not set aside any law of nature, but rather counteracts it by higher or stronger law. His will is the law of nature, and when His will changes in any particu- lar instance, the law of nature involved is overcome by His law.’’51 Paula does not declare God weak. She will speak about His power, His might, and His grandeur. The prob- lem is that all the might, power, and grandeur is locked up in a sense, waiting for our faith and our affirma- tions and words to unleash it. It is The Without Walls International Church worship experience: Surrounded by four much like the genie in a bottle. The cameras and five large projection screens, Senior Pastor Paula White outlines her genie, who has all kinds of wonderful “principals to success” during her Feb. 4, 2007, sermon. In July 2005, the Tampa powers, needs us to uncork the bottle. Tribune reported that WWIC was the nation’s fastest-growing church. The powerful genie can do nothing unless we ask him. It is up to us. She described a vision from God raised.’’ On this last point she gets WHAT’S AHEAD? that, for the year ahead, the anointing specific enough to discredit herself. would come in an unprecedented One could search the newspapers of A few years ago, Paula appeared way. She saw two huge doors and the world for verification of one dead with on his This is Your two guards who opened the doors. body brought to life supernaturally in Day broadcast. She tells Hinn, “I just 2004. Such an event, without ques- want to prophesy for a moment.’’52 This was supposed to indicate that in She began by telling Hinn that God 2004 the ‘‘floodgate’’ would open and tion, would have been reported. there would be ‘‘harvest time’’ — a was going to enhance and give a 1,000 Peter Worsley, Professor of Sociol- year of ‘‘supernatural divine times more anointing. She assured ogy at the University of Manchester visitation.’’ All of these statements Hinn that 2004 was the year for in England, writes about what he calls about a particular year being the year harvest and supernatural increase and ‘‘spongy’’ prophecies in his book, The that Hinn would have favor with have been a staple delivered by Hinn Trumpet Shall Sound: presidents (although no specific and others for more than two president was named). She then gave decades. In the mid-1990s, the cliché ’’... the belief is so vague, so what were called ‘‘prophecies’’ for the used was ‘‘the acceptable year of the ambiguous, so generalized, that

April-June 2007 The Quarterly Journal · 11 no particular event can possibly reducing overcrowding in schools Q Do you have a reason why constitute a falsification of it. received applause and shouts of you don’t counsel in those areas? Conversely, given a spongy ‘‘Preach! Preach!’’ from Paula’s A Too busy. ... enough style of prophecy, all congregation. Q Are you a college graduate? events can be interpreted as posi- The depravity in this episode is that A Yes. tive confirmation of the proph- Redner is a self-professed humanist Q What college did you attend, ecy. More precise prophecies do who admitted in a federal lawsuit that and what type of degree did you face the serious problem, and attain? prospect, of disconfirmation. ... he is a homosexual and that he owns a strip club in the Tampa area. In fact, A Lee College. I finished it Prophecy is most subject to dis- through continuing education. confirmation when it is precise the St. Petersburg Times calls Redner the ‘‘strip club king.’’58 Paula, in Q What type of degree did you and testable, least vulnerable attain? when most vague.’’53 allowing Redner a platform in her church, clearly violated 2 John 10. A A bachelor’s degree in theol- NON-PROPHET PAULA ogy. ... STRANGER THAN FICTION Q Have you ever referred to For all of Paula’s claimed prophetic yourself as being a doctor, hav- insight, she appears to have been While much of the above focuses on Paula, it is helpful to also take a closer ing a doctoral degree, either ver- ignorant of the fact that the driving bally or in writing? ... school, known as REACT, Inc. (Resto- look at her husband Randy. Some of the most helpful information can be THE DEPONENT: No. ... ration & Evangelism Advanced Q No? Never referred to yourself through Community Training), which gleaned from public court documents and sworn testimony. Many of these as Dr. or Pastor Randy White? operated its office on their church A Pastor. property, was selling bogus commer- documents are a window into his Q Dr. Randy White? cial driving licenses. In April 2002, the world and his ethics. A Pastor. Tampa Tribune revealed that two years One very revealing document is the Q In your books, have you ever earlier, the FBI had busted the illegal deposition of Randy White taken on referred to yourself as Dr. Randy operation and sent its head, Tony Sept. 17, 2003. Randy had been de- White? ... Puleo, to a federal prison for an posed by the plaintiff in a paternity THE DEPONENT: Well, I have 18-month sentence.54 His partner, Hil- action brought against one of his an honorary degree. I don’t ary M. Winniczek, ‘‘was sentenced to church members. Randy’s sworn testi- know. Sometimes I may some- 22 months in jail and fined $7,500.’’55 mony yielded a 34-page document. thing like that. ... Paula’s husband Randy claims he The foundational questioning therein Q Okay. Does your advertise- too was scammed and did not know provides an intriguing perspective of ment reflect Dr. Randy White? the man: applicants were getting commercial ANo. licenses for cash. While the racket was ‘‘Q ... Can you please state your Q None of your advertisements independent of the church, WWIC full name for the record. reflect as Dr. Randy White? received 10 percent of the school’s A Randy Allen White. ... A Not that I’m aware of.’’59 gross receipts, which Randy called a Q Are you the senior pastor for Further into the deposition, Randy ‘‘tithe.’’ Many of those enrolled at the Without Walls International is questioned about business reports bogus school paid between $800 and Church? and financial documents that he was $1400.56 The tragedy in this occur- A Yes. ... rence is that two of the unqualified ordered by the court to bring and Q Have you been divorced? many of which he failed to bring. truck drivers from REACT ‘‘were later A Yes. involved in two separate accidents Q Okay. Are you a certified In page after page of questioning, 57 with a total of nine fatalities.’’ counselor in the area of marriage Randy denies knowing things that a More recently, Paula again demon- and family counseling? good administrator and/or pastor strated her lack of the prophetic — or ANo. should have known about people and at least a lack of integrity and Q Have you counseled or given events within his church, including discernment — when she and Randy advice in the areas of marriage charges of multiple sexual relation- invited Joe Redner to address their and family counseling? ships between the defendant and a congregation regarding Redner’s 2006 A No. ... youth pastor, a church bus driver, campaign for a seat in Florida’s Hills- Q Is the reason that you don’t and a prominent televangelist. borough County Commission District counsel in the areas of family According to the document, the 5. Redner’s 10-minute address about and marriage issues is because of plaintiff then suggests that Randy has protecting the environment, improv- your divorce? used ‘‘exact events’’ of the plaintiff’s ing public transportation, and ANo. relationship with the defendant in a

12 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2007 chapter titled, ‘‘Breaking the Curse,’’ Q Okay. ... Without Walls International Church. in his book Without Walls. This chap- Q According to the — the book The church document is a Dec. 18, ter details the account of an unmar- that was published, incidents and 2002, letter to his congregation re- ried and pregnant active church mem- persons portrayed in this volume viewing ministry highlights of the ber who, thinking she would receive are based on fact. Now you’re year and projection for the new the rejection of the church, met with saying it’s fictional? year.63 the opposite: A Some of it. WHITE AVENUE — Q Some of it was fictional? So ‘‘Every staff member met Julie A ONE WAY STREET? with open arms and words of when you published the book encouragement. A few months and you indicated it was based Although the Whites consistently later, someone in the church gave on fact, it was false? campaign for money to come in, they her a baby shower, which was A Yeah. do not seem quite so eager to give well attended. Paula made it a Q So you lied? any out. Most of the ‘‘apostles’’ of point to be there with a gift. Her A Yeah. prosperity expect money to flow in card said, ‘Julie, I love you. Q So you have a propensity to only one direction. The Apostle Paul Here’s a gift for your baby.’ lie? said that we should ‘‘Render therefore When Julie’s baby girl was born, A Yeah. to all their due’’ and ‘‘Owe no one anything’’ (Romans 13:7, 8). In other she had everything she needed, Q However, some of the names 60 words, pay what we owe every time from clothing to crib.’’ and details have changed to pro- and on time. However, Randy’s track tect the privacy of individuals, The plaintiff said the situation de- record is less than honorable. scribed, including the baby shower has that changed? attended by Paula, was his. He main- A I don’t know. ... Court documents exist showing that tained that he had not given Randy Q ... You indicated that the in 1992, while Randy was employed permission to disclose these issues in names changed to protect the by the Bayshore United Methodist his book: privacy of the individuals? Church in Tampa, his ex-wife Debra A I said it was fiction. It was Jean White filed a petition for unpaid “Q Is the book that you wrote, fictional. child support for the couple’s three Without Walls, still published, Q Okay. So this chapter’s com- children. A year earlier, the Circuit circulated, or distributed to the pletely fictional? Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Cir- public? A Yes. ... cuit of Hillsborough County, Florida, A Yes. had issued an ‘‘Immediate Income Q Have you at any time obtained Q Does your book contain — Deduction Order’’ against Randy for permission for anyone described does your book describe factual the ‘‘total sum of $265.50, bi-weekly’’ in this book for the purpose of events that occurred at Without (based upon $88.50, bi-weekly, per publishing private matters? Walls? child).64 In January 1992, an ‘‘Order A I — I believe the publisher A Most of it’s factual, yes. Establishing Arrears’’ against Randy did, yes.’’61 Q Did you change most of the was imposed by this same court in names to protect the privacy of The document also discloses that the amount of $5,195.50.65 Randy’s the individuals in your book? when Randy later was cross-examined three children, Kristen (then 14), An- A Yes. about his admission to lying and gela (then 11) and Brandon (then 8), Q In a chapter in your book being a liar, he was asked if he was had their mother Debra fighting for titled Breaking the Curse, the being facetious. He replied, ‘‘I was them. On Aug. 11, 1992, Randy was events described there reflects being facetious.’’62 That put Randy in served with an ‘‘Evidence of Final the same, exact events detailed in a quandary: If he was telling the truth Judgment and Certificate of Delin- the petitioner’s relationship — under oath about lying, he would be a quency’’ by the Circuit Court which, in part, stated, ‘‘The Central Govern- my relationship with [the defen- confessed liar. However, if he was mental Depository hereby certifies dant]. Is this correct? lying about his lying (which he says that a delinquency in support pay- A I don’t know. he was), then he still committed perjury. ments exists as of the date of this Q Okay. Where did you get the certificate.’’66 information for the chapter, As far as Randy’s alleged memory Breaking the curse. lapse in regard to referring to himself What is ironic in all this is Paula’s A It was probably fictional. as ‘‘Dr. Randy White,’’ both legal and public statements about her compas- Q Fictional? Your book was fic- church documents contain his signa- sion for children. For instance, she tional? ture above the name, ‘‘Dr. Randy A. writes: A Some of it. White.’’ The legal document is a ‘‘What would happen if we Q Some of it was? sworn affidavit from July 16, 2001, made a commitment to God to A (Nodding head affirmatively.) concerning business conducted by end the cycle of oppression by

April-June 2007 The Quarterly Journal · 13 offering compassion and dignity were ordered by the county court’s GETTING TO KNOW HIM to children shamed by their cir- small claims division to pay David cumstances? What if we were to Dang, Sr., ‘‘the sum of $778.06 with In November 2005, Paula put her show them how precious they costs in the sum of $149.20 making a thoughts about her husband in print: are to Him? What would they total of $927.26.’’72 Court records ‘‘When I met my husband, accomplish as a result of our show the judgment was ‘‘satisfied in Randy, he was much heavier kindness? How many lives full’’ on June 17, 2002.73 than he is today. He had a bowl would they change? The task haircut and wore green velvet In April 2002, Jacqueline D. Knight seems huge, I know. But it begins bow ties, platform shoes and with reaching out to one child. filed a ‘‘Claim of Lien for Services polyester suits. He had no You have the power to touch a Rendered’’ against the Whites and money. But I did not marry my person’s life for eternity.’’67 their Destiny Ministries/WWIC. husband for his looks, his fash- Knight was seeking nearly $17,000 for It would also start with fathers who ion sense or his wealth. I knew a ‘‘General public relations and great barber and a good tailor kept their marriage vows and who marketing duties’’ provided to the cared for the physical needs of their and had a reliable diet plan. I church.74 married him for who he was. children without having to be hauled What I never wanted to change into court. This compassion in writing With the pattern of courts and and knew I could not change may be a little too late. attorneys having to pressure the Whites to meet their financial obliga- was the man Randy was on the A handful of events in the distant tions — and with the trail of court inside. ... You need to know a past may not mean much to some, but and legal documents this leaves in its person before you enter into covenant with him or her.’’76 it seems that this pattern continued. wake — the couple seems to show In June 1994, the Whites and their little concern about their testimony. It is also interesting to hear Paula’s Destiny Ministries (dba South Tampa The Whites may not know the Bible take on her marriage in another Christian Center) were to be evicted in terms of living it, but they know recent article: from their location by court order attorneys, the court system, and ‘‘When Randy and I would fight because they ‘‘failed to deposit the money maneuverings very well. If rental payments due into the Registry during the first several years of bills are still going unpaid and the our marriage, the aftermath of the Court or file proof with the attorney’s fees remain constant, the Court that payment for rent had been would be disastrous. We had pressure for soliciting large amounts heated disagreements, and dur- made as required by Florida Statutes of income must be enormous. Sadly, 68 ing those times my husband 83.232.’’ In July, the court issued a some Christians can get used to any- ‘‘Default Final Judgment’’ against would say as little as possible, thing, including unethical and unbib- then he’d walk away to regain Destiny Ministries, stating, ‘‘a total lical ways of doing business. The amount due of $1,361,340.26 to accrue his composure and get his prophet Jeremiah warned, ‘‘Do not thoughts together. If I had been interest at 12% hereafter per annum learn the way of the Gentiles’’ (Jer- willing to leave him alone for an pursuant to Section 55.03, Florida emiah 10:2). hour or two to give us time to Statutes, plus prejudgment interest for calm down, everything would seven (7) months in the amount of According to God’s Word, elders have been fine. But I wouldn’t do $95,170.09, for a total judgment are to be ‘‘blameless, the husband of it. I freaked out whenever he 69 one wife’’ (1 Timothy 3:2), and ‘‘must amount of $1,456,510.35.’’ attempted to leave while I was have a good testimony among those upset about a situation. I didn’t The local church headed up by the who are outside’’ (1 Timothy 3:7). care if he wanted to yell at me all Whites had a ‘‘Claim of Lien’’ filed Having a track record of court actions night long or if I found myself against them in July 2000 when a against a minister can only give an staring at a blank wall. I needed contracting company tried to collect abysmal reputation locally and in the an unpaid amount of over $47,000 (of him right there with me! My larger community. The Apostle Paul reaction to Randy’s habit of a $121,675 bill) for ‘‘labor, services or would have none of this. He asserted, materials’’ on Without Walls Interna- walking out during arguments ‘‘avoiding this: that anyone should tional Church property.70 Even the caused more than its share of blame us in this lavish gift which is Electric Company filed a ‘‘Corrective tension between us. If I tried to administered by us — providing hon- Summary Judgment’’ against WWIC convince him not to go, he orable things, not only in the sight of in November 2000 to retrieve unpaid would shake his head and say, the Lord, but also in the sight of bills of over $43,000, along with an- ‘Paula, stop being so insecure!’ men’’ (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). Charles other $12,000 for late charges, court His words made matters 10 times Ryrie comments on these verses and worse. In fact, they would infuri- costs, and attorney fees.71 says that Paul’s team ‘‘acted as trust- ate me. How dare he accuse me In December 2001, the bogus driv- ees of the money to insure complete of being insecure. ... Today, ing school, REACT, along with WWIC propriety in the handling of it.’’75 Randy and I very seldom fight.

14 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2007 But when we do have a problem, deceptive in terms of long-range out- Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 1, 15-24. I give him the space he needs. comes. Let’s always strive from begin- 17. ‘‘Paula White Does Tyra Banks To- Besides, what’s the point in mak- ning to end to put people on the day,’’ comments and article “Posted by ing a scene? He’s coming back Ingrid” based upon an Oct. 4, 2006, safest of roads — the truly biblical Christian Newswire story. Blog originally anyway.’’77 road — so that short term or long appeared on the Slice of Laodicea web It would have been so much better term they will be just where God site. Copy on file. to hear that two mature adults have wants them to be. Lies, even ‘‘white’’ 18. Julia Duin, ‘‘New kind of evangelist,’’ finally learned to sit down and calmly ones, cannot be tolerated. The Washington Times, April 28, 2004. Document available at: www.washington discuss a problem and bring a biblical Endnotes: times.com/culture/20040427-101317- solution to the existing differences 1. Ted Olsen, ‘‘What Really Unites Pente- 7018r.htm. according to Ephesians 4:22-32. Randy costals?,’’ Christianity Today, Dec. 5, 2006. 19. Letter from ‘‘The Staff of Without is still walking out and Paula has Document available at: www.christianity Walls,’’ Oct. 31, 2002. Copy on file, italics gotten to the place of passive resis- today.com/ct/2006/december/16.18.html. in original. tance. It hardly sounds like spiritual 2. ‘‘Hundreds sick on world’s largest 20. Charles Caldwell Ryrie, The Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago: Moody Press, 1976, maturity or a godly example.78 cruise ship,’’ Reuters, Dec. 3, 2006. 3. “Paula White” from Wikipedia. The note on 1 Timothy 5:17, pg. 1821. WHITE WASHED URL for this page was: http://en. 21. Paula White Ministries, ‘‘Become a wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_White. On Dec. 2003 World Partner with Paula White’’ It is really hard to understand how 18, 2006, the person responsible for the letter dated Nov. 25, 2002, pp. 1-2, bold anyone can take the Whites seriously. posting, deleted the page from Wikipedia and upper case in original. Copy on file. It all points to the low level of and, as of the publication of this article, it 22. Ibid., pp. 3-4, bold in original. discernment in the Church and to the is no longer available. Bold and italics in 23. Paula White, Praise-A-Thon, Nov. 10, 2003, op. cit. fact that many professing Christians original. Copy on file. 24. Ibid. are adrift on a sea of feelings and 4. Michelle Bearden, ‘‘Paula White, Evan- gelist On The Move,’’ Tampa Tribune,May 25. Paula White cited in ‘‘Paula White, emotions. It seems that anything will 30, 2004, Nation/World section, pg. 12. False Teacher/Prosperity Preacher,’’ For- do as long as it is big, flashy, loud, 5. Ibid. gotten Word Ministries web site. Docu- and overstated. 6. Stephen Hubbard and Lisa Ryan, ment available at: www.forgottenword. ‘‘Turning Trash into Treasure: The Testi- org/white.html. The Whites have an abysmal track mony of Paula White,’’ The 700 Club. 26. Ibid. record in terms of money manage- Document available at: www.cbn.com/ 27. Everett F. Harrison, Editor-in-chief, ment. Paula’s use of the Bible as a 700club/Guests/Interviews/ Baker’s Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rap- subjective, magical numbers game to Paula_White063005.aspx. ids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1960, pg. be used to manipulate and plead for 7. Rebecca Phillips, ‘‘God’s Female 169. money is deplorable. Her view of God Coaches,’’ Beliefnet. Document available at: 28. F.F. Bruce, The Books and the Parch- as a Being who can be manipulated www.beliefnet.com/story/144/ ments. Westwood, N.J.: Fleming Revell, story_14416_1.html. 1963, pp. 120-121. and controlled by His creation is off 8. Paula was born April 20, 1966, her son 29. Barbara E. Lipstadt, Denying the Holo- the charts. Their materialistic empha- Bradley was born Nov. 26, 1985. caust. New York: The Free Press, 1993, pp. sis and exalting ungodly millionaires 9. Michelle Bearden and Cheryl N. 18-19. is neither biblical, nor is it representa- Schmidt, ‘‘Supersize That Church,’’ Tampa 30. Paula White cited in Jackie Alnor, tive of a Savior who had nowhere to Tribune, June 8, 2005, Nation/World sec- ‘‘Paula White: Unable to Blush,’’ Apostasy lay His head. Her putty-like prophe- tion, pg. 1. Alert, Oct. 21, 2006. Document available at: cies, which can take any shape and 10. Michelle Bearden, ‘‘Tampa Church Is www.apostasyalert.org/REFLECTIONS/ form, are downright silly. The diffi- The Nation’s Fastest Grower,’’ Tampa Trib- Paula_White_Blush.htm. une, July 1, 2005, Nation/World section, 31. Ibid. culties and distortions in their teach- pg. 7. 32. Life by Design, Paula White Ministries ings are a reason they should be 11. Paula White, Deal With It! Nashville: Covenant Partner newsletter, November critiqued and avoided. In the end, Nelson Ignite, 2004, pg. VII. 2006. Without Walls International Church 12. ‘‘Paula White, Evangelist On The 33. ‘‘Paula White: Unable to Blush,’’ op. may help some because of some Move,’’ op. cit., pg. 12. cit. caring staff, but considering all the 13. See, G. Richard Fisher, ‘‘‘Get Ready’ 34. Ibid. above, if it does, it is most likely in for T.D. Jakes — The Velcro Bishop with 35. This product available on the ‘‘Online Another Gospel,’’ The Quarterly Journal, spite of the Whites. Bookstore’’ section of Paula White Minis- Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 4, 7-11. tries web site. The home page URL is: The idea of truly ‘‘helping people’’ 14. Valerie G. Lowe, ‘‘She’s Got A Testi- www.paulawhite.org. is a concept that needs to be thought mony,’’ Charisma, March 2005, pg. 48. 36. Ibid. Product page for ‘‘Why We Want through. It may appear to be helping 15. Paula White, Praise-A-Thon, Trinity You To Be Rich Pk,’’ ‘‘Online Bookstore’’ Broadcasting Network, Nov. 10, 2003. section of Paula White Ministries web someone by cleaning them up and 16. See, G. Richard Fisher, ‘‘The Christian- site. dressing them up (short term), but if izing of Human Potential Philosophies — 37. Mortgage document recorded with the ultimately they are placed on the Is Bruce Wilkinson’s Dream Giver a Bor- Hillsborough County Clerk’s Office for wrong road, the ‘‘help’’ has been rowed Daydream?,’’ The Quarterly Journal, Randy A. White and Paula M. White,

April-June 2007 The Quarterly Journal · 15 INSTR # 2002229714, OR BK 11763, pp. 50. Henry Thiessan, Introductory Lectures No.: 90-024406-CA=00-01, Division: D, 1732-1751. Also ‘‘Assessor records’’ infor- in Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, O.R. Book 6699, pg. 1104. Copy on file. mation provided by Trulia Real Estate Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1973, 67. Paula White, ‘‘Share God’s Love,’’ Search. pg. 174. Inherit Your Promise column in Charisma, 38. Real estate averages provided by 51. Ibid., pp. 396-397. July 2006, pg. 66. Trulia Real Estate Search. 52. Paula White on Benny Hinn, This Is 68. Sandra H. Joo and Chuck C. Joo, 39. According to the Florida Department Your Day, Jan. 6, 2004. Plaintiffs, v. Destiny Ministries, Inc., d/b/a of State, Division of Corporations, Randy 53. Peter Worsley, The Trumpet Shall South Tampa Christian Center and and/or Paula White have been the regis- Sound. New York: Schocken Books, 1974, William Smith, Defendants, ‘‘Default Final tered agent or an officer/director for the pp. xix, xx. Judgment for Eviction,’’ Circuit Court of following non-profit corporations: Destiny 54. Steve Andrews, ‘‘Florida Can’t Find the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida Ministries, Inc. (1991); Set Free If You Illegal Truckers,’’ Tampa Tribune, April 30, In and For Hillsborough County, Civil Want to Be, Inc. (1996); Tampa Bay Billy 2002, Metro section, pp. 1, 6. Division, Case No. 12-94-290-LT, Division Graham Crusade, Inc. (1997); Youth With 55. U.S. Department of Transportation H, OFF. REC 7429, pp. 1634-1635. Copy a Vision Incorporated (1998); Without (DOT), ‘‘Florida Truck Driving School on file. Walls International Church, Inc. (1998); Tester Jailed in CDL Bribery Probe,’’ DOT 69. Sandra H. Joo and Chuck C. Joo, Making a Difference Ministries, Inc. Office of Inspector General report, June 6, Plaintiffs, v. Destiny Ministries, Inc., d/b/a (1999); Paula White Ministries (2002); In- 2002. Document available at: South Tampa Christian Center and stitute for Community Development, Inc. www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=809. William Smith, Defendants, ‘‘Default Final (2002); the following for profit corpora- 56. ‘‘Florida Can’t Find Illegal Truckers,’’ Judgment,’’ Circuit Court for the Thir- tions: South Tampa Christian Center op. cit., pg. 1. teenth Judicial Circuit In and For Hillsbor- Foundation, Inc. (1993); Residential Acqui- 57. ‘‘Florida Truck Driving School Tester ough County, State of Florida, Civil Divi- sitions, Inc. (1998); KABB Enterprises, Inc. sion, Case No. 94-00264, Division F, OFF. (2003); Paula White Enterprises, Inc. Jailed in CDL Bribery Probe,’’ op. cit. 58. Kevin Graham, ‘‘Strip club king seeks REC 7469, pp. 902-903. Copy on file. (2004); RAMP Corporation (2005); RAW 70. Increte of Tampa, Inc., ‘‘Claim of Reality Enterprises, Inc. (2005); and the votes at church,’’ St. Petersburg Times, July 16, 2006. Lien,’’ INSTR # 2000228959, OR BK 10320, following limited liability corporation: pg. 0295. Copy on file. E&R Music, LLC (2004). 59. Deposition of Randy White, taken at 71. City Electric Supply Company, Plain- 40. ‘‘She’s Got A Testimony,’’ op. cit., Berryhill & Associates, Tampa, Fla., Sept. tiff vs. Without Walls International pg. 48. 17, 2003, by Anita S. Ellababidy, court Church, Inc., ‘‘Corrective Summary Judg- 41. Ibid., pg. 79. reporter and notary public, pp. 5-6, 9-10. Efrain Areizaga, Plaintiff v. Jody Spicer, ment,’’ Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial 42. Interestingly, this vision is strikingly Circuit In and For Lake County, Florida, similar to one that Benny Hinn claimed he Defendant, in the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough Case No. 00-2529-CA-01; Div. #3, INSTR # received when he was 21 years old. See, 2000351161, OR BK 10501, pp. 1698-1699. Benny Hinn, ‘‘Personal Testimony Benny County, Florida, Family Law Division, Copy on file. Hinn,’’ Orlando Christian Center, Or- Case No: 00-4792. Copy on file. 72. David Dang, Sr., Plaintiff v. R.E.A.C.T. lando, Fla., July 19, 1987, Tape #A071987. 60. Randy White, Without Walls. Lake and Without Walls International Church, Tape on file. Mary, Fla.: Charisma House, 1998, pp. Defendants, ‘‘Final Judgment,’’ County 43. See M. Kurt Goedelman with G. 204-205. Court In and For Hillsborough County, Richard Fisher, ‘‘The Latter Rain Move- 61. Deposition of Randy White, op. cit., Florida, Small Claims Division, Case No.: ment — Showering Heresy on the Church pp. 24-28. for Nearly Fifty Years,’’ The Quarterly 62. Ibid., pg. 32. 00-20524-SC, INSTR # 2001411575, OR BK Journal, April-June 1995, pp. 4, 10-12. 63. Copies of these documents on file. 11296, pp. 1473-1474. Copy on file. 44. Paula White, ‘‘Miracles Happen,’’ In- 64. Debra Jean White, Petitioner vs. Randy 73. David Dang, Sr., Plaintiff v. R.E.A.C.T. herit Your Promise column in Charisma, Allen White, Respondent, ‘‘Immediate In- and Without Walls International Church, January 2006, pg. 94. come Deduction Order,’’ Circuit Court of Defendants, ‘‘Satisfaction of Judgment,’’ 45. Paula White, ‘‘Get a Vision,’’ Inherit the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit In and For County Court In and For Hillsborough Your Promise column in Charisma, June Hillsborough County, Florida, Family County, Florida, Small Claims Division, 2005, pg. 16. Law Division, Case No.: 90-024406, Divi- Case No.: 00-20524-SC, INSTR # 46. ‘‘Helen Keller’’ from Wikipedia. The sion: Y-D, O.R. Book 6699, pg. 1114. Copy 2002212451, OR BK 11730, pg. 1376. Copy URL for this page is: http://en.wikipedia. on file. on file. org/wiki/Helen_Keller. 65. State of Florida, Department of Health 74. Jacqueline D. Knight, ‘‘Claim of Lien 47. Gordon Melton, The Encyclopedia of and Rehabilitative Services, on behalf of for Services Rendered,’’ INSTR # American Religions. Tarrytown, N.Y.: 1993, Debra Jean White, Petitioner vs. Randy 2002124088, OR BK 11563, pg. 1457. Copy Vol. 2, pp. 47-48. Allen White, Respondent, ‘‘Order Estab- on file. 48. Cho writes, ‘‘If you speak the miracle lishing Arrears,’’ Circuit Court of the 75. The Ryrie Study Bible,op.cit.,noteon performing Jesus, then the presence of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit In and For 2 Corinthians 8:18, pg. 1762. miracle performing Jesus is released. He is Hillsborough County, Florida, Family 76. Paula White, ‘‘Unity of the Spirit,’’ bound by your lips and by your words. Law Division, Case No. 90-24406, Division Inherit Your Promise column in Charisma, He is depending on you.’’ (Paul Yonggi Y-D, O.R. Book 6498, pp. 494-497. Copy November 2005, pg. 110. Cho, The Fourth Dimension. South Plain- on file. 77. Paula White, ‘‘Take Off the Mask,’’ field, N.J.: Bridge Publishing, Inc., 1979, 66. Debra Jean White vs. Randy Allen Inherit Your Promise column in Charisma, pg. 83.) White, ‘‘Evidence of Final Judgment and September 2006, pg. 18. 49. Paula White, ‘‘It’s Time to Pray,’’ Certificate of Delinquency,’’ Circuit Court 78. For a biblical study along these lines, Inherit Your Promise column in Charisma, of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit In and see Jay E. Adams, Christian Living in the August 2005, pg. 116. For Hillsborough County, Florida, Case Home, P&R Publishing. g 16 · The Quarterly Journal April-June 2007