A Cult in Coronado? Part Two
“No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24
These images of Awaken Church leaders whooping it up in Cabo last month are, well… sort of prophetic.
More on this in a moment… but first:
The Prosperity Gospel
Awaken is a “Prosperity Church.” This means they ask their followers for money. Lots of money… on a regular basis.
Giving the church your money is a central theme for Awaken, and it has worked exceedingly well. With the millions of dollars taken in, they’ve built a major, radical political wing seeking to influence local elections throughout San Diego and here in Coronado. They call it “taking territory.”
But what they want to take most of all is your money.
Here’s Lead Pastor Jurgen Matthesius making his “tithing pitch” at the end of 2021, touting the “supernatural power of tithing.”
That’s right. Give ten percent of your wealth on a regular basis to God (actually to Awaken Church) and suddenly curses will fall away, and manna from heaven will pour down upon you, miraculously making 90-percent greater than 100-percent!
Gobsmacking math… If you are on the receiving end.
Now - the Cabo Connection
As the opening pictures in this blog post illustrate, Awaken leaders were having a great time down in Cabo San Lucas just a few weeks ago at a beach resort. Now, listen to Matthesius, in that same 2021 tithing pitch, preach that his money in the bank is safe, and the bank folks would never go party with it… especially not in Cabo.
The analogy Matthesius’ is making is about how safe your money is with the church. No partying… in Cabo or anywhere else. Especially not in Cabo…
No partying in Cabo to see here folks!
The Prosperity Gospel Condemned
The so-called prosperity gospel has been widely condemned in traditional religious circles as a false gospel from false prophets who are fleecing their flocks.
Christianity Today Magazine condemns it as “An aberrant theology that teaches God rewards faith—and hefty tithing—with financial blessings.”
Southern Baptists condemn it as a"false teaching and distortion of Scripture.”
The Guardian proclaims that “The Prosperity Gospel Makes a Mockery of Christianity.”
The Vatican calls it “dangerous.”
In scripture, Paul warned Timothy about such men in 1 Timothy 6:5, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (v. 10).
In fact, the only disciple concerned with wealth was Judas Iscariot, who is notorious for betraying Jesus by disclosing Jesus' whereabouts in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus was then arrested, tried, and executed.
Yet according to “pastor” Colin Higginbottom on the Awaken website “Giving” page, “worshipping with your finances puts you on solid ground with God.”
In fact, on that same “Giving” page, Awaken will set you up for recurring giving through your checking account, debit, or credit card. You can give via text messaging on your phone. You can hand over your Cryptocurrency or transfer your Stocks and Assets. And, of course, you can just give at the church… cash or check, thank you.
So many ways to make 90-percent greater than 100-percent!
Armed Struggle?
As for its politics, the church has hosted nationally known promoters of conspiracy theories, disinformation and nationalist extremism. It also advocates that armed struggle is justified when it’s waged “in the name of God. “
Is it a Cult? Fascism? Christian Nationalism?
Here are definitions of those terms for your consideration:
Here’s My Take
I respect the 1st Amendment right to Freedom of Religion… but when religion is being used as the backdrop for a radical cult, the 1st Amendment right to Freedom of Speech is paramount in order to expose what’s going on.
BEWARE anyone who tells you that curses will be lifted and manna will pour down from heaven if only you give them your money.
BEWARE those who tell you your financial hardships will miraculously dissolve if only you give them your money.
BEWARE those telling you that 90-percent is greater than 100-percent, if only you give them your money.
BEWARE those suggesting that they would never go party in Cabo with your money.
ESPECIALLY BEWARE those who preach that armed struggle is justified when it’s waged “in the name of God.”
A few closing quotes:
“If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck.”
“There's a sucker born every minute.”
Resources:
Southern Baptists Condemn “Prosperity Gospel” The Christian Post
The Prosperity Gospel Makes a Mockery of Christianity - The Guardian
The Prosperity Gospel as Aberrant Theology - Christianity Today Magazine
The Prosperity Gospel - Dangerous and Different - La Civilta Catholica