Where Word-Faith Meets Southern Baptist -- A Presidential Campaign, of Course

I simply pass this on without comment . . . well, except for one at the end (h.t. h.b.).

This is from a press release from the Trinity Foundation (which now publishes the Wittenberg Door: Click here: Wittenburg Door) sent to subscribers of their newsletter.

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Republican hopeful Mike Huckabee reached out to a questionable funding source this week—Texas televangelist Kenneth Copeland, one of the targets of a Senate Finance Committee investigation into the funding and governance of "prosperity gospel" ministries.

At Copeland’s annual by-invitation-only Minister's Conference at his Newark, Texas, headquarters Jan. 23, Copeland received a call during the meeting from Huckabee requesting emergency financing. According Doug Wead, former Bush family evangelical adviser, Copeland and his supporters at the conference raised $111,000 in cash for Huckabee, with about a million dollars in pledged donations, after he temporarily adjourned the conference and then reconvened the group as a "private meeting."

Wead relayed a report in his blog from a source at the meeting that "Last night [Jan. 23] the Governor called his friend in the middle of a conference and Copeland, carefully observing all the laws governing non profits, as a private citizen, re-convened a private meeting, turned to his friends and raised a few million dollars for Huckabee." (See "Mike Huckabee’s Big Mistake")

According to video clips of the conference obtained by Trinity Foundation, an investigative watchdog group in Dallas, Copeland revealed that Huckabee had pledged his total support to Copeland's ministry while dismissing the Senate investigation.

Video clips of Copeland's comments are posted on The Wittenburg Door Magazine website.

One video clip shows Copeland describing a phone call from Huckabee regarding the Senate investigation:

"[Huckabee told me] Why should I stand with them and not stand with you? They've only got 11 per cent approval rating.' And then he said, 'Kenneth Copeland, I will stand with you.' He said, 'You're trying to get prosperity to the people and they're trying to take it away from 'em.' He said, 'I will stand with you any time, anywhere, on any issue.' That settled that right there. I said, 'Yeah, that's my man! That's my man, right there.'"

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There's only one case in life I can think of where a Southern Baptist minister would come to Kenneth Copeland, hat-in-hand, to ask for an "emergency donation" -- A failing presidential campaign.  One more weird consequence when the two kingdoms are blurred. 

Comments

[PB]

Wow.
I'm far too cynical about these things already but I'm speechless.

[Chris Malamisuro]

Maybe the political acumen of Mr. Huckabee is better than I would give him credit for having. BTW, I'm no supporter of Huck.

[Reg Schofield]

The crazy world of politics. As a Canadian I love watching the absurdity that is the US election at times . Now all Huck has to do is name and claim guys , so the election is settled!!!

[wayde]

I actually saw the Huckster pandering to the prosperity folk on the Angel Network a few nights ago. I didn't think it odd at all knowing his play is for the evangelical robots, many of whom already give without thinking to these stations already!

[Alberto]

I think it would be a blessing for Huckabee to drop out of the race or lose. He has better things to gain from losing than continuing. And after dropping out, I hope the Lord opens his eyes so that he can see his errors.

On the other hand, I do dislike the governemnt's attempt to invenstigate the aforementioned TV preachers.

[Joe]

I wonder what promises were made at the "private meeting". I attended "bishop" Earl Paulk's church many years ago and was surprised one Sunday when he addressed the congregation and had everyone stand to his feet who was a "tither". We had no idea what was going on behind the scenes, only to find out later about the sexual immorality existing behind closed doors. Ever since the exposure of this ministry has been manifest can I say that Huckabee, Copeland, Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar and many others had better take note that God is NOT SLEEPING. What takes place in the dark will be exposed in the light by a just God who will not permit this nonsense to go on too long.

[mholst]

Thanks for posting this. I am now absolutely convinced that I will not vote for Huckabee if he is the presidential candidate.

[Randy]

Same here, mholt. I'm clenching my teeth as I realize that I may have to vote Democrat (sshhhh) for the first time ever! Did I really just say that? AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[carolyn]

well, if you want to vote for Madison and Jeffferson and the constitution and founding fathers, and be a REPUBLIC under law like we were intended to be,and NOT a mob vote democracy,there is one and only one worthwhile candidate.

And when you look at every position he holds that makes you recoil, and hold it up against the founding fathers and the constitution, you realize that he is right, and it is we who have strayed from the standards and "political confessions" our nation was founded on.

Ron Paul has my vote. It is the only vote consistent with Reformed submission to historical "political confessions".

And yes, he IS staunchly pro-life, in fact, he once delivered thousands of babies, and introduced an (of course unsuccessful) human rights amendment bill. Just letting you know in case you fall into the "justification by prolife activism" camp :)

[John]

Ron Paul is a libetarian. Yes, he is for the federal government getting out of protecting and funding abortion - but it would be just fine with him if each of the 50 states legalized and funded abortion.

He would also deregulate prostition, drugs, etc.

...the official theology of libetarian politics is atheism which glorifies the individual rather than the state.

[Russ]

John,

You're wrong. Dr. Paul wouldn't be "just fine" with it since he is staunchly pro-life, but as the President, per the constitution, it should be a state issue, just like murder is. Ditto with prostitution and drugs, state issues.

So are you saying the *state* should be glorified, i.e. modern day liberalism and most conservatism?

I can't speak for all libertarianism, but I know Dr. Paul is a Christian and his strong stance for individual liberty stems from his belief in a creator God.

Russ

[Gage Browning]

Huckabee looks like Jimmy Carter, sounds like Jimmy Carter, is ecumenical like Jimmy Carter, he must be...

Gage Browning
Post Tenebras Lux

[Doug Duncan]

Well, regardless of the questionable wisdom of Huckabee pandering to the Word-Faith crowd, I have to point out that this release is put out by the Trinity Foundation, a known cult. I have personal knowledge of this, as I am a former member. My wife wrote a book, I Can't Hear God Anymore: Life in a Dallas Cult, describing our experiences in that awful place. If anyone is interested, they can read about it at our website, http://www.dallascult.com

[Wayne Rohde]

Leaving the Copeland/Huckabee "team" for a moment...

What about the Robertson/Giuliani combo?

Hmmm...

I thought Pat was the great prophet who knew everything that was going to take place in the future. And he endorsed a man who is now pulling out???

[Matt]

Maybe my wife will give up on Huck now that he's a pal of Copelands. I wonder if Huck also believes, like Copeland, that God is about 6'2", about 185 lbs. and has a hand span of 9 inches.

And yes, Robertson said God told him who the next president would be (Rudy G.) and now it's clear he won't be. Let us all call the 700 Club and ask why God was wrong.

[Ivan]

I'm such a cynic, I tend to view this as both guys were using the other to help their own cause.

Plain and simple.
Sorry.

[Another Matt]

Huckaboom scored dead last among the 4 men left, in terms of proposed budget increase. Romney wasn't much better. Only Paul shows serious fiscal restraint in the government's budget. If that's not a reason to vote for Paul in a year when everyone else spend like moderates, I don't know what is.