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Discernment Page

Information for the discerning Christian about Momentus, CES, and "personal prophecy"

For information about the serious problems with the Momentus training and its creators and followers, see the information and links immediately following. Information about some recent CES improprieties appear following the Momentus information (and some of it relates to CES's involvement with the trainings). For information and links about the "personal prophecy" deception, go to the end of this page.

Tocchini/ACCD Virus Attack on Our Web Site?

Recently, this Web site was attacked through several e-mails sent to it by people associated with ACCD, including one from Momentus/Breakthrough creator Daniel Tocchini himself! Those e-mails carried a nasty worm program, as well as taunting, un-Christian messages. By God's grace, our e-mail server refused to open the virus attachment, so we were saved from the unscrupulous attack. (The e-mails themselves appeared to contain a sound file to play.) We learned the exact nature of the virus from one of our helpers, whose e-mail address was also attacked. His virus checker not only disabled the virus before he received it, but it also printed out the nature of the virus and attached message. We believe that we were attacked because we've taken a stand against Momentus/Breakthrough and its unscriptural nature. Our helper was apparently attacked because he's made his testimony revealing the truth of what goes on in Momentus available to many over the Web and personally. And this from the head and others of a ministry that calls itself the "Association for Christian Character Development"?

Now, perhaps you're thinking that these virus attacks were unintentional, that Tocchini and his cronies merely were themselves victims of a virus that attached itself to their e-mail address books and sent itself out to everyone in them. Well, we were charitable enough even to those who've shown no such charity to us (or to anyone they entice into those unscriptural trainings) to assume that such was the case -- at first. But then we realized that neither Tocchini nor any of the others from whom we received the virus-ridden e-mails had ever once sent us an e-mail through our Web site. So it was highly unlikely that any of them would have our Web site's e-mail address in their address books. (Had Bo Reahard, who has contacted us via e-mail, been one of those sending the virus, we'd have dismissed it as unintentional.) Furthermore, our helper, who also received the virus e-mail from Tocchini, has never been contacted by Tocchini via e-mail either. (He, too, was in contact with Reahard at one point, which is probably where Tocchini got his e-mail address.)

The two separate attacks against e-mail address to which Tocchini has never sent a message prior to those containing the virus strongly suggests to us that these attacks were not accidental. (In fact, until evidence turns up proving otherwise, we believe these were deliberate attacks to attempt to damage those of us speaking out against the unscriptural, un-Christian nature of the Momentus/Breakthrough trainings. We could very well be wrong, of course, not being all-knowing, but based on the current evidence -- and what we know of past actions by people associated with ACCD -- we doubt it.) In the spirit of fairness, however, we invite Tocchini and the other ACCD followers or associates to offer their version of this virus attack, which we pledge to post (provided it is of reasonable length) either here or in our forums. We await their response. (In the meantime, if you receive any audio files from anyone associated with ACCD, we suggest that you don't open them before running them through an up-to-date virus checker.)

Update: More Attacks on Our Web Site

Well, we're obviously doing something right to attract the ire of the devil so. Our site was recently the target of a letter bomb attack. (If any more viruses were attached to the e-mails, our ISP removed them before we received them.) Whether this attack was in response to our posting information about the earlier virus attack originating from Dan Tocchini we can only speculate. (Some of the e-mails included pages from the old WayDale site, but those could just be decoys--then again, as WayDale was "soft" on Momentus, we suppose that it's not totally inconceivable that a few of the former followers of that site who never managed to grow past the Way are now ACCD zombies. Again, we can only speculate.)

Interestingly (and perhaps suggestively), the only "legitimate" e-mail to get through to us during the attack, before our inbox filled up and cut it off, was a sneering letter from a teen who'd recently graduated from the Gap--the Momentus training for teens. In his e-mail, he questioned whether we'd actually received a virus. Of course, being thoroughly deceived by his training, he can't imagine that anyone associated with Momentus would do such a thing, so any proof that we could offer of the original attack would be lost on him. But for those who are still capable of independent thinking, you can click here to see a copy of the virus-cleanser's log sent to us by our helper who also received the same virus at his former e-mail address. The only alteration that we've made was to replace his name in the message line of the virus notification file with asterisks. (And you can see clearly who the virus-cleansing software identified as the sender.) Those who want to read the e-mail from the "Gap kid" (who, although he claimed that the Gap had given him the confidence to "be real," signed only his first name), along with our response to him, can click here. (Note: We don't normally publish letters sent to us without permission, but as the youngster didn't give his full name and his e-mail is so typical of the kind of thinking that inflicts those who take these trainings, we've made an exception in this case.)

We expect that this won't be the last attack we'll see. Whenever you take a stand for God's Word and against deception, those so deceived all too often show their true colors through such un-Christian acts. A sad commentary on how far people can go from the truth of God's Word and how it tells us to deal with others in the Body of Christ.

Update to the Preceding Update

Well, the letter bomb attacks by whatever poor deluded soul thinks he's really hurting us continue. We feel sorry for someone so spiritually stunted that not only is he incapable of engaging in valid dialogue about scriptural disagreements, but attempts to prevent anyone else from doing so. Please pray for this poor, sick individual, who needs the true healing that comes only from the Lord and not from artificial, worldly wisdom such as offered by Momentus and similar deceptions. As for us, no problem. We simply let this dupe of the devil fill our inbox and then delete them. Our ISP keeps our system from harm otherwise. Although, after turning the other cheek for so long, we've reluctantly decided to refer the problem to our ISP to track down the individual. We pray again that he chooses to start acting as a Christian should before he's finally caught. (Of course, just like Satan, he probably thinks himself too clever to face the consequences. Ah well, so much for the momentary thorn in our side.) We will continue, regardless, to bring you what information we have about such spiritual deceptions and to link you to what we find on other sites that also recognize such deceptions. So please, carry on, as we intend to.

CES Dialogue Board Momentus and Personal Prophecy Discussions Available Again

Thanks to one of our readers, we've been able to make available again the threads about Momentus from the old CES Dialogue Board--a discussion that's been unavailable online since April of 2000. As some of our regular visitors know, CES removed these threads, along with their entire Dialogue Board, because they couldn't stand to see their pro-Momentus position, among others, challenged scripturally in an open forum. We're not sure how long we can keep these complete threads up, although we do have permission from several of the anti-Momentus posters to keep their messages up should it become necessary for any reason to remove the rest of the threads. Scroll down the page to the section of Momentus links to connect to these very telling exchanges. Note especially the very well-throught-out, scripturally sound arguments against Momentus by such posters as Repentant, CT, Mark Coomer, and Steve Lortz, as opposed to the pro-Momentus rants that are totally devoid of any scriptural basis.

Thanks again to another reader, we now have access to the old discussion threads about "personal prophecy" from the old CES Dialogue Board as well. Again, you'll find the most well-thought-out, scriptural arguments to be those opposed to "personal prophecy," on the grounds that it's absent from scripture as taught and practiced by CES. Follower of the Word and Mark Coomer's postings are especially good examples. The pro-PP postings, on the other hand, are marred by severe examples of scripture twisting--if they appeal to scripture at all (which most, especially CES's own postings, don't). Look for the links to these discussions a bit down the page, following the Momentus and CES material. (Again, should it become necessary to remove these threads for any reason, we have permission to maintain those of many of the best posters.)

Update on Reported Momentus Threats of Legal Action Against Critics

In the interest of honest reporting and fairness, even to those with whom we fervently disagree on scriptural grounds, we've removed the report that originally appeared here about ex-Way and Atlanta Bible Fellowship leader Bo Reahard, who's long been what many have described as a fanatic Momentus supporter, making threats of legal action against other Web sites that are exposing the truth about Momentus and its unscriptural, harmful nature. Reahard, who's apparently now responsible for updating the Web site for ACCD (Mashiyach Ministry's new name; see the following section), sent us an e-mail claiming that no such legal action is currently under consideration. (Although he curiously failed to state that no legal threats had ever been made in the past.) Still, because we want to be able to provide only verifiable information, we attempted to confirm the earlier report. As we were not able to obtain such independent confirmation from any of the Web sites about which we originally received the report, we decided to remove it from the site. We feel that there's more than enough other information showing the un-Christian nature of Momentus that it's really irrelevant whether or not its supporters choose to take or threaten legal action against other Christians, actions that scripture, of course, forbids. (Of course, Momentus followers have engaged in many other actions in contrast to how scripture tells believers to treat one another, as the evidence on this and other sites demonstrates.)

We also offered Mr. Reahard the opportunity to send us a rebuttal to the original report, offering to post it on this site. He chose not to respond to our offer. He also demanded in his original e-mail to know "who was responsible" for the original report. We told him that, frankly, he and all other Momentus supporters, as well as everyone involved with ACCD, are ultimately responsible for any such reports. If they were to follow scripture, there wouldn't be a Momentus in the first place. And if they would honestly describe the dangers of Momentus, sites such as those that expose it for what it truly is wouldn't need to exist. But rather than attempt to compete in a free exchange of ideas with opposing viewpoints about Momentus, Reahard and ACCD and its followers have apparently chosen to ignore and, whenever possible, suppress any viewpoint but their own. We believe that our original assessment is still true: that Reahard and ACCD know that Momentus can't stand on its own against a scrutiny from scripture. We believe that's why they, like the leaders of CES, haven't posted any dissenting voices on their own site and apparently refuse to participate in any other forum that they can't control. We've found such tactics often to be the last refuge of a deceiver and wonder why, if Momentus is truly of God, as they claim, they apparently feel the need to take such a course. (We believe that know the answer--and that you do, too, if you know scripture and are capable of discernment.)

Apparently, however, we've finally risen above ACCD's radar. We therefore, formally renew our challenge to ACCD, Reahard, and other Momentus supporters to engage in open debate on their own site, providing equal voice to those who disagree with their claims about Momentus and recognize it as unscriptural. And if they're not willing to do so on their site (without imposing censorship over ideas opposite their own), we suggest that they agree to a debate in any neutral site. We'll gladly take them on under such circumstances, relying on scripture as our guide rather than personal experience (which can be deceiving). If they were to choose either course--so that potential trainees can make a valid decision about Momentus based on all the evidence instead of ACCD's puff-piece testimonies--there'd be no need for sites that provide the truths that ACCD apparently doesn't want you to hear. (But we're still not holding our breath . . .) In the unlikely event that they do agree to such a debate, however, we'll let you know right here as soon as we hear from them.

As an addendum, we originally received word of ACCD's alleged legal threats from a source who'd heard it directly from a respectable counter-cult researcher (and not CRI, which is ACCD's favorite boogyman). We're still attempting to verify it directly with that researcher, although we trust our source completely, and if we do obtain such verification, we'll note it here.

Update to Previous Update

Regarding our update about Momentus legal threats, we find that we may have spoken too soon. Apparently, ACCD has made some legal threats against Dr. John Juedes, whose Web site also exposes Momentus/Breakthrough. Although most of these threats have apparently been veiled to give ACCD deniability, at least one was not. You can read about that threat in a new Momentus/Breakthrough article on Dr. Juedes' site, which you can either link to directly here or on our Favorite Links page. Perhaps, as Mr. Reahard has stated, ACCD isn't actually considering any legal action, but apparently that doesn't mean that it isn't making them in an attempt to quash any opposition to Momentus/Breakthrough. Why, we wonder, if the training is really scriptural, as they claim, do they feel the need to even threaten legal action, both in opposition to how scripture teaches Christians to act toward one another and in contrast to their own requirement on the Momentus/Breakthrough "Hold Harmless" agreement that any disputes resulting from the training must be settled in arbitration and not in court? Would this fall under the scriptural definition of hypocracy? We wonder . . .

Mashiyach Ministries Changes Its Name in Wake of Recent Momentus Exposes!

As of about mid-October, 2000, Mashiyach Ministries changed its name to the "Association for Christian Character Development." The name of the Momentus seminar was further changed to the "Breakthrough" training (the second in the Momentus series, following the Discovery seminar, which was upgraded from a free, single-evening Momentus recruiting tool to a three-day full-blown training for groups of up to 100 people). In making these changes, the former Mashiyach is following in the footsteps of the purveyors of earlier (and unabashedly non-Christian) Momentus-type human-potential trainings such as est, which later became The Forum and then went by a number of other names as negative information about the original training spread to potential trainees.

No reasons were given for the change on the updated ACCD Web site, but the fact that the name change came so soon after the Sept. 11, 2000, 700 Club Hunter Tylo expose of Momentus and the subsequent Media Spotlight article (see below) seems to indicate that perhaps Mashiyach felt the need to go "underground," so to speak, to more effectively continue to spread its humanistic, unscriptural doctrines within the church in the form of the renamed Momentus training. (Or course, we doubt that the former Mashiyach--or the ACCD, as it now wishes to be called--would admit to any such correspondence, whether true or not. And perhaps it is just coincidence--but, if so, it's a mighty suspicious one.)

Of related interest is that fact that ex-Way leader Bo Reahard was the one redesigning the new ACCD Web site, as well as administering its mailing list. (During its last redesign, the Momentus Web site resided on Reahard's Atlanta Bible Fellowship Web server until completion. The Web site was still accessible at the old Momentus URL for a time, although indications were that the URL would totally change to an ACCD address later.) Reahard and his fellowship have been among the most fanatic Momentus supporters and promoters among ex-Way splinter ministries--even more so than CES--and Reahard was reported to have donated 20,000 dollars to Mashiyach a few years ago to help keep it going.

We'll try to keep you up on the latest developments with Momentus' new "stealth attack" on the church as they come to light.

Media Spotlight Exposes Momentus!

A 2000 issue of Media Spotlight (Vol. 23, No. 3), published by Al Dager, featured a lengthy article about Momentus, scrutinizing the training, the philosophy behind it, and statements by Mashiyach Ministries on its Web site and elsewhere in the light of scripture. For a free copy of this issue write and request it from . . .

Media Spotlight
P.O. Box 290
Redmond, WA 98073-0290

The following issue (Vol. 23, No. 4) included an Update to the article about Mashiyach's name change and additional info on the Web.

You can also request a free subscription to this newsletter, which regularly exposes spiritual deception in today's media and elsewhere. It offers for any donation a number of excellent special reports, including one scripturally refuting the "Gospel in the Stars" proposed by Bullinger and others.

(Note: In light of Mashiyach's name change, described above, and its revamping of its Web site, some of the information quoted from the old Web site in Mr. Dager's article may no longer be available online, such as Dan Tocchini's self-serving--and biblically inaccurate, as Mr. Dager so clearly demonstrates--Momentus apologetic. The information in the article is still solid and almost certainly still valid, however, as we doubt that the name changes have resulted in any substantial policy or content changes in either the "ministry" or its trainings.)

Update: See Media Spotlight Vol. 24, No. 1 for a News Update about Mashiyach's name change to the "Association for Christian Character Development." Following the March 2001 relaunch of the Momentus/ACCD Web site, some of the information quoted in Mr. Dager's articles may again be available on the site, depending on how deceptive a face ACCD wants to put forward on the Web, although it appears that one must "sign up" to receive more than basic info about the trainings and the organization. (Considering recent events, anyone who decides to sign up at the site may seriously want to consider using an e-mail address from a provider such as Hotmail, which scans e-mails for viruses.)

Path of Christ Web Site Adds Momentus Page

The friendly--and discerning--folks at the Path of Christ Web site have added a Momentus page to their Web site to help warn their visitors of that evil spiritual deception. The page includes links to a transcript of the 700 Club Momentus expose with Hunter Tylo, to the Momentus testimonies and articles on John Jeudes' Web site, to the sadly truncated Momentus thread from the now defunct WayDale forums (which Path of Christ managed to download and preserve), and to our own Momentus forum. We salute Path of Christ for helping to protect members of the Body of Christ from spiritual predators in this way. (To get to the Path of Christ Momentus page, go to our link to its Web site on our Favorite Links page, or visit our Momentus forum for a link directly to the site's Momentus page.)

Update: Path of Christ has moved its Momentus page to a new Web site, Ex-Cultworld. The first link to the page in our Momentus forum is now incorrect, as are the links there for the Ex-Wayworld pages. (That site has changed to Ex-Cultworld.) Most of the info from the old page is still available, plus some new links, though the explanatory material on the page isn't as extensive as before.

You can also click the following link to visit the Ex-CultWorld Momentus page:

Ex-CultWorld Momentus page

More Momentus Links

Here are a few more Momentus links to explore for more insight:

Cephas Ministry Momentus testimony

Messiah 7 Momentus testimonies and research

Momentus Explained, by Mark Mattison (Note: Most of the links at the end of this article are no longer valid, especially those to the old Momentus Web site. Check our other links for updates to some of these.)

CRI's Report on Momentus

Jean Cofield's Momentus Testimony

Steve Lortz' Thoughts on Momentus

Although it doesn't mention the trainings by name, here's a link to a site that describes in detail what goes on in the Momentus trainings:

What to Expect in the Momentus trainings

If you follow the link at the bottom of that page to the author's Awareness page, you'll find links to articles, pro and con, about other LGATs (Large Group Awareness Trainings), of which Momentus is a (counterfeit) "Christian" offshoot. For the author's description of the Momentus Lifeboat exercise, click here. His articles on LGATs describe a secular version of these trainings--and yet, many of the exercises and characteristics are also present in the Momentus trainings. (Very telling.)

And for some information about a Momentus clone and LGATs in general (including how they deceptively "counter" critics charges), see The Barnabuse Project.

CES Dialogue Board Momentus Discussion

For those who missed the Momentus discussion on the CES Dialogue Board before it was taken down, here are some links to those three threads:

Note: Many of the links in these files are no longer active; check our other Momentus links for the new locations. Also, after reading one thread, you'll need to click your Back button to return here to access the next thread.

CES Momentus Discussion, Part 1

CES Momentus Discussion, Part 2

CES Momentus Discussion, Part 3

In the Future . . .

As we have time, we plan to devote more of this page to discussions of the use of spiritual discernment. Here's where we'll probably talk further about other examples of spiritual deception in the church. We may even touch on some of the other cults out there. (Including The Way--and if you're one of those who still hasn't realized that the Way really was--as well as is today--a cult, well, you're welcome to present your reasons for that position over in the Forums. Get on over.) Check the What's New page for info on what we're posting here in the future.
CES Censors John Lynn for "Sexual Indescretions"--Lynn Steps Down for a Year
A recent mailing from CES leaders Mark Graeser and John Schoenheit to those on the CES mailing list reveals that Graeser, CES's current president, and Schoenheit have censored former CES president John Lynn for "sexual indiscretions." As a result, Lynn has taken a year off from active involvement with CES and during that time is to receive no financial support from CES but instead must get a secular job (which would be first for Lynn). A letter from Lynn included with the mailing expresses contrition over the situation. Lynn's letter has an Indianapolis address at the top, indicating that he's returned to the city where CES is headquartered after moving last fall to pursue a romantic relationship.

Update: The most recent issue of CES's newsletter, The Sower, seems to indicate that John Lynn is continuing in a much more active role in CES than the letter cited above led us and others to believe. He apparently still carries a lot of influence in CES--and more authority than the public letter of censure seems to call for. We must wonder, therefore, whether the censuring of Lynn's actions by the other CES leaders was sincere or just put on for show because they could no longer ignore Lynn's actions and still claim to be leaders of God's people. Lynn apparently is seeking outside work, but the tone of his own letter in the recent newsletter hardly seems that of one humbled by facing up to his own shortcomings and failures before the Lord. Stay tuned for further developments.

In the meantime, for more information, please visit our Forums--specifically, the Ex-CES Dialog Board forum, where you can find links to the actual letters on the Web.

Final Update: Well, a year has now passed since John Lynn's "censure" by the other leaders of CES. And what has been the result? Not only did Lynn continue to be involved in CES's leadership circles during his year of "repentance," as previously reported, but he's now been reinstated to his former leadership position on CES's Board of Directors -- and has been put on the CES payrole to boot! Well, it appears that, in CES, the wages of sin aren't death, but a cushy paycheck and a leadership position -- at least if you're one of the founders of CES. (Others who commit such heinous "sins" as deciding to attend a normal church rather than follow CES receive verbal abuse and condemnation from Lynn and other CES leaders, as we've recently heard from one who was courageous enough to slip CES's snare and follow where the Holy Spirit led her.) Had Lynn shown any iota of true repentance -- for example, apologizing to the many whom he led into the horrible snares of Momentus and making restitution to those he's hurt -- we may have considered his restoration to CES's leadership the result of his changing his old ways. But those we've heard from who've had direct contact with Lynn since his censure have reported that he was the same old arrogant John Lynn. What's sad is what Lynn's going to face at the Bema, where he's going to receive his just reward for his unrepentant sins. We continue to pray that Lynn may someday see through the deception he's under and truly repent -- but even more so do we pray for the healing and deliverance of those many, many people he's hurt spiritually, emotionally, and financially.

John Lynn Slanders Momentus Opponents

We've recently learned that CES leader John Lynn is up to his old tricks again. In an interview conducted earlier this year, posted on the Ex-CultWorld CES pages, Lynn blithely repeats the same tired -- and false -- statistic that "95%" of all Momentus grads had a positive experience. (Please!) In addition to perpetuating this ridiculous -- and easily refuted -- falsehood (which seems to us to be much in the tradition of Adolf Hitler's "Big Lie"--that is, fib big enough and repeat it often enough and the gullible will come to believe it unquestionably), Lynn goes on to shamelessly (and falsely) slander one brave Christian believer who's shown the courage to stand up and speak out boldly against Momentus' doctrines of demons and its false facade of Christianity to expose it as the deception that it is.

Not only does Lynn cravenly slander his outspoken Momentus opponent, but the apparently unprincipled and cowardly "leader" slanders the man's wife as well, someone who's never once ventured into the forefront of the Momentus controversy -- other than to reportedly refuse to let Lynn further subject her to harassment and verbal abuse. Lynn not only makes false statements about the couple (ludicrously claiming, for example, that they never participated in any of the Momentus exercises "unless they had to," as if anyone had any real choice once the training is underway), but he further slanders them by characterizing their courageous and scriptural stand against this evil training as "ranting and raving."

We're sorry, Mr. Lynn, but we've read the testimonies (long and short versions) of this believer, and we find nothing in them that qualifies as either a "rant" or a "rave." (This is in opposition to the many testimonies we've received of how you react, Mr. Lynn, when confronted with the truth about Momentus or anything else by anyone less deceived than you are.) We wonder how you can even sleep at night, Mr. Lynn, having made such base and baseless claims against fellow believers whose only goal is to lovingly protect others in the Body of Christ from the horrors of Momentus -- unless, of course you've let the demonic doctrines of the training so sear your conscience that perhaps you have none left?

Lynn, of course, typically sidesteps actual legal slander by failing to name the couple he chooses to malign in the interview. Neither does he present any scriptural evidence to support his own glowing claims about Momentus (mainly because he hasn't any). He simply uses the old Satanic ploy of attempting to smear the messager because he can't counter the message. Sorry, Mr. Lynn. Won't work for anyone who's fully and objectively examined Momentus and discovered its true roots -- at least if they have any God-given discernment at all. Sadly, the deceived Lynn defenders will probably just ignore this latest anti-Christian act on the part of their hero and continue to eat up whatever he tells them that the Word says, even when scripture plainly says otherwise--if he even bothers to resort to scripture at all. (Which he perpetually refuses to do so regarding Momentus.) We continually pray for those so deceived. We pray, too, for Lynn's soul -- and hate to think of all the unrepentant sin he's going to need to account for at the Bema. But that doesn't mean that we can simply overlook and remain silent about such actions. Scripture tells us to hold those who claim leadership in the Body of Christ accountable for their actions, and if they measure up short of scripture (or, as in this case, in exact opposition to how scripture tells leaders to treat those in the Body), we're to expose their actions to the entire church. We'd like nothing better than to see Lynn repent of his Momentus-inspired actions and turn to true, scriptural Christianity. Sadly, we no longer expect ever to see it happen.

We imagine that some among Lynn's supporters will take us to task for describing his actions as "craven," "unprincipled," and "cowardly" -- but how else would you validly describe the actions of a so-called Christian "leader" who uses his access to the Body of Christ to slander those with whom he disagrees? Why doesn't Lynn, if he is not of such a nature, agree to face his opponents in public, arguing from the scriptures, if he truly believes Momentus is at all justified by scripture, rather than to resort to backbiting and character assassination? Lynn's target has informed us that he's fully willing to face off against Lynn on the subject of Momentus according to scripture in any objective public forum -- in person or in writing. Lynn, on the other hand, chooses to malign him in absentia. We wonder: What are you afraid of, Mr. Lynn? Why won't you face this man on the basis of scripture rather than engaging in name-calling behind his back? (Those of you reading this who are supporters of Lynn -- instead of attacking us for exposing this situation and expressing our constitutionally protected opinion of a public figure, why don't you ask Lynn that, too?) We'd really like to see such a face-off. We believe then that we'd see who would truly "rant and rage."
Personal Prophecy: Divination in Disguise!
Sadly, many Christians today have abandoned the clear teachings of scripture in favor of "experientially based" doctrines and practices. These include such unscriptural actions as being "slain in the spirit" or rolling around on the floor, making animal noises, jerking violently, or laughing uncontrollably, and claiming to be under the influence of "the Holy Spirit." (Such actions are certainly influenced by a certain spirit, but it definitely isn't a holy one.) None of these practices can be found in scripture, although some try to take certain verses out of context or interpret them far too liberally in a fleshly effort to justify their actions.

One such practice that's sadly become common in much of the church today--or at least in its hyper-charismatic fringes--is that of "personal prophecy" in which one believer (and generally not even one claiming to hold the office of a prophet) takes another aside and delivers to him "a message from the Lord" that's specific to him alone. Sometimes the believer wanting a personal prophecy initiates the exchange himself, effectively making the practice "prophecy on demand," in which God, through another believer, must now produce "a word"--whether He has one for that person or not. (Anyone who's studied the Holy Spirit field at all knows that God doesn't operate in such a manner. In fact, the entire practice much more resembles what you find on the Psychic Network and other scams than anything recognizable from scripture.)

Among the current practitioners of this "personal prophecy" craze are such charismatic ministries as Christian International, the Vineyard, and, of course, CES. Just as when it began promoting and enticing its followers into Momentus, CES ended up losing a great many discerning followers over its "personal prophecy" practices and promotion. Sadly, CES failed to listen to the scriptural arguments of such believers and chose to continue in a practice that is, at best, of fleshly, carnal origins and, in its worst cases, actually scripturally forbidden divination slipping into undiscerning churches under the guise of the true manifestation of prophecy. (Just add the "personal" angle to the scriptural manifestation, just as the Serpent added to God's Word in Genesis 3, and there you have it.)

After CES put its Dialogue Board up on its Web site, a few who weren't convinced of the scriptural basis of "personal prophecy" queried CES about it. As usual, CES's replies revolved around buying their tapes rather than bothering to truly answer the questions. But the Lord directed other believers who'd seen the truth about this unscriptural practice to expose it through scripture. CES reacted in typical fashion by taking down its entire message board so that nothing other than the CES line could reach its followers. Those discussions are now available again, however. Just click the following links and learn the truth about "personal prophecy." (And see just how unscriptural the arguments of its supporters really are.)

Personal Prophecy, Part 1

Personal Prophecy, Part 2

Check out the forums!
You'll find links to discernment ministries, more Momentus testimonies, and plenty of discussion about the validity (or nonvalidity) of "personal prophecy." Just click the Forums link in the upper left pane of this page to go to the Forums gateway page and on to the forums. See you there!