By Jonathan David Faulkner
If you have been following God’s Heart for the past year you know that I have sought to address teachings and teachers as part of what this organization does. You also know that I was a victim of spiritual and emotional abuse at the hands of the church and have spent (now) years studying mind-control techniques and search scripture for the answer to theological problems and correct doctrines. I have sought to do these things that I, as a member of the Body of Christ, might build up that body in every possible way. One of the ways we do that is by providing resources on popular teachings and teachers who are heretical or just plain abusive so that the church can be encouraged not merely away from these people, but to discern for their own sakes those things they are hearing and thus be encouraged by sound teaching by avoiding that which is not.
Even as this ministry has sought to do this, we have sought to do this in a way that is also encouraging to those who we are addressing. So, as we release another article on popular Facebook Evangelist Joshua Feuerstein, who we first addressed in a January 29th article entitled “Beware the Modern Pharisee” we have maintained that it is our desire to see Joshua restored to proper fellowship and a proper relationship with God. Our issues with Joshua were not with Joshua himself but with his teachings. This ministry can endure ridicule, being called “Sissy’s” getting blocked and berated, laughed at and mistreated, if one person reads these articles and is freed from having to listen to Joshua or if Joshua finds true and genuine restoration in the full Gospel then what we have endured is of great gain, not loss.
However, after Joshua’s latest series of videos concerning the Dallas Shootings, Terrorist attacks and pastor Jamal Bryant and one where Joshua told his listeners that he would kill anyone who drew on a cop. After warning him once and warning him twice with a group of spiritual leaders and ministries we must give one last warning against him and lay the matter to rest. So as much as I wish I was not saying this about another professing believer, as much as it pains me, I must say it.
Stay away from Joshua Feuerstein and his wife Jessica. They are both Heretics and they will ultimately do more harm to your faith and the faith of others than good. Have nothing more to do with them dear friends, for your sake and maybe even for theirs.
See, if you study Scripture and then take a look at Joshua and his teachings you will find it very obvious that Feuerstein has a fundamental argument with scripture and vice versa. Why do I say that? Because all you have to do is look at the comment section of Joshua’s posts or listen to his highly confrontational tone or read his sub Trinitarian comment on our own post from a few months back and then go read the book of Ephesians it will be glaringly obvious that Joshua not only has a doctrinal problem, but a genuine heart problem.
I used Ephesians, so let me go there to explain: Joshua’s comments are full of arguments, him yelling at subscribers and commenters and attacking people for having a viewpoint other than his own. This is far from: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (4:1-3 ESV). Angrily telling people you will shoot them if they draw on a cop is far from maintaining the bond of peace or walking humbly. Saying “I love Jesus” never justifies threatening to kill someone. Nor is it “walking humbly” when after being approached by multiple teachings and ministries about your own heretical teachings and attacking and then laughing at them and calling them “Sissy’s” if you then turn around and call someone else a heretic. This of course is compounded by previous behaviors such as his open hostility towards Starbucks and a later delete video calling for Christians to attack Abortionists. This is far from sowing peace or walking with humility, gentleness and patience and is far from bearing with one another in love.
Not that I am perfect, or that my ministry has handled all of this in the best way possible, chances are we have not. But we hope we have been loving in the way we have addressed this situation in the public forums.
Joshua also has an argument with Ephesians 4:29-32 which openly condemns “Corrupting talk” and “Anger, rage and malice” which are all attitudes he has exhibited towards President Barrack Obama and anyone who disagrees with him (whether they be Christian or Atheist). Instead the passage gives us an alternative to these things. For example, it tells us to speak “what is good for building up as it fits the situation, to give grace to the hearer” and “Being kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as Christ forgave you.” On top of that Joshua can be found to “Grieve the Holy Spirit” by his insistence on Sub Trinitarian Theology that downplays the role of the Holy Spirit and God the Father in favor of Jesus Christ. One can go far as to say that this is a form of Blaspheme because it denies what God has revealed about Himself through scripture.
Indeed, the entire book of Ephesians, along with the books of Galatians, 1 Timothy, the 4 Gospels, Micah 6 are openly condemning of Feuerstein’s theology and doctrine. Jesus himself, the man he claims to be representing might even turn to him and say, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath” (Mat 22:52).
This is unfortunate, and this is not an article I am writing with joy, but there is a fundamental, doctrinal problem with what Feuerstein is teaching and doing and for the sake of his 1.5 million followers and the rest of the church it must be discussed. Joshua is a Heretic, scripture condemns him, not me, and for our part as believers we should have nothing more to do with him so that he might learn not to Blaspheme the name of God and the Holy Spirit.
I am a #GospelDrivenSissyPreacher because I want the church to know the full freedom that comes with knowing God through the saving power of the Gospel in the work of Christ on the cross. Because I do not want to see the church chained to hatred and malice and all those things that divide what are supposed to be a united people of God. Worshiping as one Church, with One God, in One Baptism and in One Spirit. Please, stop listening to Joshua, do not give him the power to tear down the church anymore. Instead pray for him, that God would soften his heart and transform his life for the Gospel.
Jonathan David Faulkner is a student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Pastor, Musician and Writer. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education & Administration with a concentration in Urban Ministry
