I discovered Todd Friel because of his small role in the movie Audacity by Living Waters with Ray Comfort. From there I discovered Justin Peters ministries too. Although I enjoyed their Youtube videos (especially Wretched because it appealed to my odd sense of humor), the Holy Spirit started immediately sounding warning bells, which I ignored because I was enjoying myself. But as I continued watching I began referring to them and their various ministry buddies (ie. Ken Hamm from Answers in Genesis) as the "Critical Compadres" because they seemed to be focused on running people down instead of lifting them and Jesus up.
I also started noticing scriptural errors. Not just a few things I could perhaps be misunderstanding or misconstruing, but things that were just basically wrong. ie. "If a person is in hell they are not 'separated from God' but very much being watched by Him and the object of His constant and eternal wrath." - Todd Friel
I asked Jesus to clarify that for me and within a couple of hours the Holy Spirit had led me to verse after verse about hell being the condition of "eternally separated from God". Once I was ready to listen (a very important factor) this house of cards, predominantly Wretched and Justin Peters Ministries", came crashing down in the light of the Word of God.
Another important factor was Todd talking about a "string attached" to Salvation. And the string being "true repentance". Followed by leaning towards actions being necessary. If you don't do Christian works, or the desire to behave like a Christian isn't evident in your life, then you aren't a Christian, aren't saved, and never have been genuinely saved. All these things are basically true, but it seems Todd is the one who knows who these "never have been saved" people are based on what he sees them do. Even though it's nobody he has even met. Ray Comfort refers to them as "false converts". Suddenly we find ourselves in all sorts of murky waters and elevating ourselves to the level of God, being able to see into a person's heart and mind.
To be saved we do need to repent and turn away from our sins, but it is not so much something we do, but rather the attitude of our hearts. When we are truly disgusted with evil and sin, particularly inside of ourselves, then we turn to Jesus, ask Him to take over as the Lord of our lives. We ask for forgiveness, believe that His death on the cross was the punishment for our sins, and commit ourselves to live accordingly. If we are sincere we become Born Again and saved. Forever and freely. And although our lives will reflect this drastic and dramatic change of having Jesus living inside of us, nothing we DO from that moment on, either good or bad, can alter our status as God's child.
Plus, this change that takes place is never total and complete at the moment we are saved. It's the difference between being Justified (a one time event) and being Sanctified (and on-going process). We are sanctified and made holy gradually through the years as Jesus molds us more into His likeness and our bondage to sins becomes less and less. I know my first years (Okay. My first decade) as a Christian was not very pretty or righteous looking. Especially from the outside. But my final straw for Wretched was all about my feelings and what I know about Jesus personally.
The actor Jim Caviezel had given an interview on another program to promote a movie he did on the life of the Apostle Paul. Todd spent his entire radio show playing excepts and then making fun of Caviezel after each one. Mimicking his voice and mocking him about personal things like giving "stupid" answers and his grammar. He didn't criticize the film or anything Jim said as being wrong Biblically but mocked him personally just to get laughs. At that point I just knew Jesus was not pleased with the display. I considered how Jesus was mocked by the Roman soldiers before His crucifixion and it is something a Christian should never do just in general, let alone publicly about another person while they are declaring their love for Jesus. Suddenly, Todd just stopped being funny and amusing to me.
As for Justin Peters, I appreciate him taking on the "prosperity gospel" movement and those wolves disguised as shepherds. It takes a lot of courage. But then he expanded into attacking any other Christian who didn't commit themselves to doing the same thing as obviously not Christians, never were and therefore heading straight for hell. Naming names. Not to mention any and all Christians who claim to have an after death or near death experience as being a liar and scam artist/con man. All of them. And at that point I noticed he was getting certain elements of their testimonies wrong and misquoting them. And, of course, stating they were going to hell publicly and without even meeting the person or attempting to speak to them. By that point I was getting very weary of the entire mess and them telling me who was heading for hell. And doing it all in front of those in and OUT of the Body of Christ. What must the non-Believers think of displays like that?
I unsubscribed and stopped watching both Wretched and Justin Peters ministries completely and immediately. Although I still receive updates from Answers in Genesis and Living Waters Ministries. With the latter two, although I see Biblical errors they are not what I call "core" doctrinal issues about being a Christian and Salvation. Namely in regards to salvation being through Christ alone. I view each ministry, each statement, and each video as they post them on an individual basis. ALWAYS siphoned through God's Word. However, it now takes something extraordinary from them for me to recommend or share it.
I would like to apologize for recommending them to you in the past and reaffirm my commitment to you to seek out the truth before doing such things in the future. And again, plead with you to read the Bible. It is the only protection you have against deception. Even though I have the best of intentions sometimes I just get it wrong too.
I'm going to talk a bit now about Deception but since it deals more with End Times prophetic events, I will finish up at the Dominion Comfort blog as part of my "Final Days Watch" weekly feature. Please follow me there if you have the time, but thanks to all who stopped in here.
I hope I helped, not hindered.
Sincerely, Laura-Lee
LINK Dominion Comfort Blog post Continued
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