Hi bjw- I have no idea how it happened but somehow I missed the email that informs me of a new post on this thread. I had been waiting all this time to hear from you and just came on to send you a PM to see if you were still in the conversation, and here I see there is this post from you from almost 2 weeks ago!! So I apologize for being so long in responding. I guess I'd better pay
Forum: Destructive Churches

Quotebjw One good thing was that Macarthur telling me I was saved gave me some ammo against his followers that continously told me I wasn't, but unfortunately that didn't last long. There were still many that kept telling me I was lost. That is interesting. His followers were more "MacArthurish" than MacArthur! And that makes me wonder if his followers are more cultic t
Forum: Destructive Churches

Let's go back to this conversation with MacArthur: I talked to John MacArthur about George's views in his office and he told me that he knew I loved my father, but it was time I made a choice. What prompted this conversation?
Forum: Destructive Churches

You must constantly increase the abundance of these things and answer to a mentor, a "more mature Christian" (usually a small group leader or church appointed counselor that has paid thousands of dollars to the church to take "Nouthetic" counseling classes) who will evaluate how you are doing. Not doing enough (not topping your last progress) is grounds for discipline, or as t
Forum: Destructive Churches

Quotebjw Charles Ryrie is extremely looked down upon in the Lordship movement for writing his book "So Great Salvation." The students there used to call him "Liarie Ryrie." MacArthur wrote a book called "Forgiveness" that has a chapter that really puts down the free grace movement, particularly Bob George's People to People ministries. In MacArthur's boo
Forum: Destructive Churches

Quotebjw In reality this is a relatively small movement, and I have met very few Christians outside of Southern California that have even heard of MacArthur, even though every Christian bookstore stocks his books (which in my opinion do not fully explain GCC's doctrine, but are only an introduction.) I don't think it is that small a movement. I am very far away from California and
Forum: Destructive Churches

I am surprised they would think that about Graham since his gospel presentation does call for a Lordship commitment. Did MacArthur or anyone in leadership ever say specifically that Ryrie or any other Free Grace teacher was not saved? Were those in the Bible studies that felt that way about Ryrie ever corrected by anyone higher up?
Forum: Destructive Churches

There is a whole lot I could and will ask you to explain further so thanks for being willing! For now I would like to go to this one idea that comes from this comment- They believe that only those that accept Lordship Salvation are saved Let me make sure I understand you correctly. MacArthur teaches that only those who accept Lordship salvation are saved. This would mean that an
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoterrmoderatorTo whom it may concern: When it comes to churches what to look for is democratically elected church government and meaningful financial transparency. That is, an elected board with officers that serves for fixed terms, which is elected through a secret ballot cast by all the church members in regular elections. This should typically be within the church's bylaws. And
Forum: Destructive Churches

BJW, Thank you for sharing your story. I had almost made up my mind that GCC was not a cult and maybe not even cultic. I decided it was not really a safe church or a church I would recommend but was pretty sure it wasn't right to call it a cult. But your account tells me I need to reevaluate my conclusion. You are the first person I have heard from who has been to the college or t
Forum: Destructive Churches

Sheep99, Thanks for contributing. Your compliments of MacArthur are not unusual. I have heard others say the same thing. Especially that he is a humble man. It seems that people who like him really really like him a lot. I appreciate you weighing in.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Thanks shakti. That helps a lot. Thanks for your honesty. I understand your position and see how it affects your view of MacArthur. I will say this for him- it is a point in his favor that there is no retaliation for leaving. I didn't even think of that before. I appreciate you pointing it out.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Thanks shakti. You gave me a lot of important info here and I appreciate it all. But, believe it or not, out of everything you said, I want to focus on this one thing because it really gets to the heart of what I am trying to find out about this church. “and that the followers seemed to have something sucked out of them.” That is what I was wondering about with asking what it is like at
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteshaktiGrew up going to this church. I support you "isitacult". I don't really care about McArthur's theology, other than to say that it was mostly radical right-wing nutjob stuff. McArthur's theology is green. Money, moolah, benjamins. Still remember these almost exact words from the last time I attended a service. "It's so wonderful to be here
Forum: Destructive Churches

Braveheart- I can see you insist on having the last word on this. Fine. Whatever you say next will be the last word that you and I will have because I am done dealing with you. This is my last word to you. I cannot possibly do anything more than repeat myself anyway and you refuse to hear me so there is no point in continuing. I am clearly not going to satisfy you. No matter what I or an
Forum: Destructive Churches

Well, you are entitled to your opinion. Thank you for your response. However, I will remind the reader that I am asking what it is like IN HIS CHURCH, not what his theology is.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi Frank- I see I managed to scroll right past your post more than once so I didn't see it until now. My apologies for the delay in response! Thank you for your gracious assessment of your experience. I appreciate that you shared it. I do want to emphasize that I am not here to 1) evangelize on this forum; 2) debate Lordship Salvation. (I do not agree with the Lordship Salvation
Forum: Destructive Churches

Pastrpath2- Thank you for sharing your experience. I realize in all the hubbub I forgot to say that. What you have said is a lot to think about.
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteBraveHeartDear Sir (isitacult?) I have seen all too often people in the Christian Church dropping there guard and allowing wolves into there midst. People are so willing to accept a new person into there church with out checking out what they believe and why. Sir these are serious charges that you are making and yet you are running on a feeling that you get or an attitude that you pic
Forum: Destructive Churches

Braveheart- I am glad you decided to post this publicly as that is where it belonged to begin with. I will briefly respond to the part of your post that is addressed to me. I have not "refused to respond to your PMs." When I first posted I did not know there was a 10 post minimum rule before one could send PMs. I learned about it from reading someone else's comment on
Forum: Destructive Churches

pastrpath2- OK. I think I understand your concerns on those issues better now. Thanks for the clarification. If you don't mind, I'd like to go back to what you said here: What I do know is the consistent attitudes and "fruit' of the many people over the years that attend there. I personally suffered as a pastor in a church where the elders had read MacArthur's
Forum: Destructive Churches

To the person who has sent me a PM- I must have 10 posts before I can respond to a PM. Thank you for your patience. I should be able to respond to you after my next comment.
Forum: Destructive Churches

I have to admit that is too strange for me to do anything with. I can't even understand it. I understand the concept of reckoning by faith in absence of immediate, observable, experiential proof, but that does not last forever. God always makes Himself known eventually. I mean, what does MacArthur do with prayer and answers to prayer? Surely he expects God to answer prayer in some disce
Forum: Destructive Churches

Quotepastrpath2I can't give an exact quote. But the gist was Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. MacArthur said substance means lordship and obedience. He also said that his faith was the power to transform his life. His faith is the power to walk in obiedience and Lordship. Wow. That is a complete perversion of that text and a v
Forum: Destructive Churches

I was involved in CCC in the 80s at college in one of the New England states. I had a mixed experience with them. After nearly 20 years to think about it, my feeling is that CCC can be cultic, depending on the leadership at any given point, but isn't necessarily. I would not classify the CCC at my campus at that time as a cult. CCC campus leaders are not stationary. They move about
Forum: Destructive Churches

I just saw this thread. I am not sure if this business can be called a cult, per se, but I do think it is dangerous. I have been approached several times in my life by people selling these magazines or newspapers. The tip off is the sales pitch. They all use the same one and are obviously told to lie through their teeth. They are all either in a contest for a trip to some exotic location o
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

That's what I was afraid of. You have confirmed pretty much everything I had heard and/or seen in the MacArthurites out my way. It would seem one does not have to actually attend GCC to be affected that way. Would you perhaps be able to quote MacArthur on this point you mentioned: MacArthur in front of 4000 people redefined the word Faith to mean Good Works instead of trusting beli
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi pastrpath2- Thank you for your response. It is especially helpful in that you have family that currently attend there. As you know by my inquiry, there are things about John MacArthur and his church that make me uncomfortable and I am trying to get more first hand information. Would you be willing to elaborate on a few points? 1 a., b., and c. (all together as they seem to al
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi- I am looking for testimonies from any ex members of the Grace Community Church in California pastored by John MacArthur. I would also like to hear from anyone who has visited the church or knows anyone who has gone there or goes there currently. What are/were your impressions? I posted another comment in the former cult members forum as well. I am interested in first hand accou
Forum: Destructive Churches

I am wondering if there are any ex Grace Community Church (John MacArthur) members still on this board, and if so, would you be willing to share your experiences at that church, and possibly why you left? I am especially interested in how you were treated there- whether or not you felt controlled, or if you felt like "beaten sheep". Did you find the leadership to be condescending
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families