The Untouchables
Are 'God's Anointed' Beyond Criticism? By
Hank Hanegraaff
During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ
exhorted His followers not to judge self-righteously or hypocritically.
Is this necessarily what Christians do when they question the teachings
of God's "anointed" preachers and evangelists? Many teachers who claim
such anointing would say so, and many more of their followers commonly
reply to all manner of criticism: "Touch not God's anointed."
Some of these teachers add that such actions
carry literally grave consequences. Prominent "faith" teacher Kenneth
Copeland affirmed in his taped message, "Why All Are Not Healed": "There
are people attempting to sit in judgment right today over the ministry
that I'm responsible for, and the ministry that Kenneth E. Hagin is
responsible for....Several people that I know had criticized and called
that faith bunch out of Tulsa a cult. And some of 'em are dead right
today in an early grave because of it, and there's more than one of
them got cancer."
In addition to certain "word-faith" teachers,
such sentiments may be found among various groups involved with shepherding
and other forms of authoritarian rule (from diverse "five-fold" ministries
to a host of large and small "fringe churches"). The leaders of these
groups are commonly regarded as having a unique gift and calling that
entitles them to unconditional authority. To dispute any of their words
or deeds is not distinguished from questioning God Himself.
Advocates of such authority assume that Scripture
supports their view. Their key biblical proof text is Psalm 105:15:
"Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" (KJV). But a close
examination of this passage reveals that it has nothing to do with challenging
the teachings of church leaders.
It first needs to be noted that the Old Testament
phrase "the Lord's anointed" is typically used to refer to the kings
of Israel (1 Sam. 12:3, 5; 24:6, 10; 26:9, 11, 16, 23; 2 Sam. 1:14,
16; 19:21; Ps. 20:6; Lam. 4:20), at times specifically to the royal
line de-scended from David (Pss. 2:2; 18:50; 89:38, 51), and not to
prophets and teachers. While the text does also mention prophets, in
the context of Psalm 105 the reference is undoubtedly to the patriarchs
in general (vv. 8-15; cf. 1 Chron. 16:15-22), and to Abraham (whom God
called a prophet) in particular (Gen. 20:7). It is therefore debatable
whether this passage can be applied to select leaders within the body
of Christ.
Even if the text can be applied to certain
church leaders today, in the context of this passage the words "touch"
and "do harm" have to do with inflicting physical harm upon someone.
Psalm 105:15 is therefore wholly irrelevant to the issue of questioning
the teachings of any of God's "anointed."
Moreover, even if we accepted this misinterpretation
of Psalm 105:15, how are we to know who not to "touch"; that is, who
God's anointed and prophets are? Because they and their followers say
they are? On such a basis we would have to accept the claims of Sun
Myung Moon, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, and virtually all cult leaders
to be prophets. Because they reputedly perform miracles? The Antichrist
and False Prophet themselves will possess that credential (Rev. 13:13-15;
2 Thess. 2:9)! No, God's representatives are known above all by their
purity of character and doctrine (Tit. 1:7-9; 2:7-8; 2 Cor. 4:2; cf.
1 Tim. 6:3-4). If a would-be spokesperson for God cannot pass the biblical
tests of character and doctrine, we have no basis for accepting his
or her claim, and no reason to fear that in criticizing his or her teaching
we might also be rejecting God.
Finally, if any individual Christian is to
be considered anointed, then so every Christian must be as well. For
this is the only sense in which the term is used (apart from Christ)
in the New Testament:
"You [referring to all believers] have an
anointing from the Holy One" (1 John 2:20, NIV). Thus, no believer
can justifiably claim any special status as God's "untouchable anointed"
over other believers.
Nobody's teachings or practices are beyond
biblical judgment - especially influential leaders. Biblically, authority
and accountability go hand in hand (e.g., Luke 12:48). The greater the
responsibility one holds, the greater the accountability one has before
God and His people.
Teachers should be extremely careful not to
mislead any believer, for their calling carries with it a strict judgment
(James 3:1). They should therefore be grateful when sincere Christians
take the time to correct whatever erroneous doctrine they may be preaching
to the masses. And should the criticisms be unfounded they should respond
in the manner prescribed by Scripture: to correct misguided doctrinal
opposition with gentle instruction (2 Tim. 2:25).
There is of course another side to this issue:
criticism often can be sinful, leading to rebellion and unnecessary
division. Christians should respect the leaders that God has given them
(Heb. 13:17). Theirs is the task of assisting the church in its spiritual
growth and doctrinal understanding (Eph. 4:11-16). At the same time
believers should be aware that false teachers will arise among the Christian
fold (Acts 20:28; 2 Pet. 2:1). This makes it imperative for us to test
all things by Scripture, as the Bereans were commended for doing when
they examined the words of the apostle Paul (Acts 17:11).
The Bible is useful not only for preaching,
teaching, and encouragement, but for correcting and rebuking (2 Tim.
4:2). In fact, Christians are held accountable for proclaiming the whole
will of God and warning others of false teachings and teachers (Acts
20:26-28; cf. Ezek. 33:7-9; 34:1-10).
We would do well to heed Scripture's repeated
warnings to be on guard for false teachings (e.g., Rom. 16:17-18; cf.
1 Tim. 1:3-4; 4:16; 2 Tim. 1:13-14; Tit. 1:9; 2:1), and to point them
out to believers (2 Tim. 4:6). With so much scriptural support, such
actions can hardly be considered unbiblical.
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