The full show which was broadcast over the Easter weekend. Derren Brown is a performer and illusionist from the UK. He says this show was the most difficult project he has undertaken.
This is the special about faith-healing that some of you will have heard about. It has been the most intensely difficult project that I have attempted: to train an ordinary member of the public as a faith healer, then take him out to Texas, the heart of the Bible Belt, and try to pass him off as the real deal. We filmed this at the end of last year amidst concerns that we had bitten off far more than we could chew.
The film we made is driven by a desire to expose what I consider to be a foul and dangerous fraud at the expense of the sick, the needy and the faithful all over the world. It is not a comment on the church, or belief, or even, before some people get upset, the idea that God can or can’t heal. It is about a specific fraud, a greedy trick that has nothing to do with God whatsoever, beyond the fact that his name gets shouted around a lot. We made the show with the involvement of Christians and pastors who had been involved in that particular scene.
Great show!
This demonstrates the need to know the Bible for oneself because it will forearm you against such deception. Nowhere in Scripture did Jesus refuse to heal someone UNLESS they first gave money (which tv evangelists term ”sowing a seed”) or in any way attach a price tag to the miracles he performed (ie. if you need a bigger miracle, you need to give a higher amount of money—this is unbiblical).
Before donating, first Google them to find out if they own a mansion, jet, luxury car (s), custom made clothes, ad nauseum. If yes to any of the above, move on to greener pastures to ensure your money won’t be squandered to finance their lavish lifestyle. (Suggestion: donate to your local food bank or homeless shelter or children’s hospital.)
Jesus said to the rich man ”Sell all that you have and give your money to the poor.” He also said ”It’s easier for a rich man to go through the eye of a needle than enter the kingdom of heaven.” In other words, Jesus didn’t have many nice things to say about rich people.
In fact, he had nicer things to say about poor people because poverty brings with it a spirit of modesty, humility and servitude, while wealth creates pride, arrogance and vanity.
The 9 Gifts of the Spirit are REAL (one of which being the Gift of healing) and there are some genuine pastors and evangelists with such Gifts. The problem is discerning between the sheep and goats when they’re all in the same clothing. This is why it’s so imperative to read and study the Bible for yourself….instead of allowing someone else interpret it for you.
I would highly suggest getting the King James Bible on CD and listening to about 2-5 chapters per day. Start in the New Testament (because it’s easier to understand for most people), then start in the Old Testament. When it’s on CD, you can do two things at the same time—-for example, listen to it while driving to and from work, making breakfast or taking a bath or exercising or going for a walk (listen on iPod)– so you can’t use the excuse that there’s no time. I emphasise the KJV because it’s the most accurate manuscript.
Develop a personal relationship with Jesus by having a daily prayer life. Over time and in conjunction with daily Bible reading, you will find your sense of spiritual discernment begin to drastically sharpen and you will suddenly ”smell a rat” long before it gets there and long before they’re publicly exposed.
Yes Jesus CAN heal people but even if he doesn’t, he’s still the Messiah, still the best friend you could ever have, still offers eternal life through his redemptive work on the Cross (even if he choses not to heal you in the life) and still sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for his children.
He couldn’t care less about material possessions (like mansions, jets, fancy cars), worldy achievements (such as high IQ and countless diplomas) or size of one’s bank account. He’s too focused on healing the broken hearted; visiting the meek, weak and helpless in their suffering; and encouraging lost souls to trust him as their Savior. What’s money got to do with it?
And speaking of miracles…..the greatest miracle of all is the testimony of a changed life after someone accepted Jesus as their savior, then spent the rest of their days helping others, instead of hurting them.
Sounds like:
- playing the system
-manipulating the system
-access to a cash flow of tax free money
For genuine healing:
-Let the Holy Spirit speak through the scriptures