This article just showed up on my RSS feed.
- Creflo Dollar, Megachurch Pastor, Arrested for Battery Charges
- Rev. Creflo Dollar arrested on family violence charges
- Creflo Dollar arrested for assaulting daughter
From what I’ve read, Creflo Dollar was arrested for attacking his daughter. Each article claims he did various types of attacks, but since nobody reading this was there, it would probably be unfair to claim that we know for sure exactly what happened.
Apparently, this argument/altercation began when the daughter wanted to go to a party with her friends. As any good christian parent would, Creflo was probably trying to prevent that from happening. And I also don’t think that it’s too much of a "stretch" to believe that Creflo was concerned over how this would make him and his ministry appear.
But, in his desperation to contain the situation, he stepped over the line.
The bible has some pretty "absolute" requirements for those who are in ministry.
1 Timothy 3:2-6 "A bishop then must be blameless (WOW!), the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having [his] children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the [same] condemnation as the devil."
- Bishop [Greek: episkopos]
- a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent
- the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church
Close to Home
I’m not putting this article out to criticize or berate Creflo. Currently, I have 2 daughters in the junior high/high school age bracket, so this hits close to home. In a relatively short time, they will be confronted with these types of situations, and will have to make their own decisions. And I will have to decide how to handle the situation, should things go bad.
I’m not looking forward to these things.
But there is something that I, as well as all of us, have to face. While our children will eventually make their own decisions, these decisions will be heavily influenced by whether or not you and I have cultivated the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives while they are still young.
Be transparent with your kids. I believe when they see that we will readily admit that we are NOT perfect, then hypocrisy will be less likely to get the upper hand in our relationships.
Otherwise you and I could find ourselves facing what Creflo is facing.
Recently, I discussed the topic of parent/child relations in my online interview with StandUpFortheTruth.com. Listen to the entire interview here!
For the Love of the Search,
Kevin Kleint
Email: kevin@honorofkings.org
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If we lived in the new Testament church times this might be a legitimate disqualification for an elder. Our times do not condone corporal punishment and children cannot be made to behave. Our evil and sinful times promote rebellion in the family and in the nation.
Let’s not be legalistic in our condemnation of this man. His prosperity message may be condemned, but let us not rejoice in his family tragedy.
Terry, Wow! All of the Word is valid for today. Divisions in the bible (or “dispensations” whatever) were put there by man, not by God. Society doesn’t dictate the Word’s relevance. The Word is THE ultimate Truth.
If you don’t agree with that, I think you’ll feel very out-of-place here.
Nobody here is rejoicing or condemning Creflo, we don’t even know specifically what happened. However, the topic provides an excellent springboard to discuss New Testament qualifications of a leader, as well as what kind of example we are providing for our children. Or do you not realize that it is OUR responsibility to make sure they grow in the Fear and Admonition of the Lord?
While I agree that the evil and sinfulness of our times promote rebellion in the family, it wouldn’t even be much of an issue if our kids saw an example of Christ in their parents. Maybe if some of us were a little more “legalistic” (a term that isn’t in the bible, btw) in our Christ-like example in front of our kids, we wouldn’t need corporal punishment as much. And yes, we need it.
Kevin, I am not negating the authority of the Scriptures. In fact the Word says to obey those who have authority over you. Civil laws now forbid what they call domestic violence and that is, more and more rightly or wrongly, interpreted as spanking. So, which scripture are you referring to?
As for “legalistic” not being in the Bible, neither is “Christ-like” nor “piano” and lots of other words.
I think the corporal punishment laws are on a state-by-state basis, aren’t they? Here in Oregon it still goes on. There are plenty of scriptures that tell you to not “spare the rod”, I’m sure you know them, right? Now … if the law of the land says not to spank your kids, and the Word so TO spank your kids, what law would you obey? I stand by the Word.
As far as the term “legalism”, you said “Let’s not be legalistic in our condemnation of this man.” Again, no one is condemning him, I’m surely not. I think I made it clear, I’m coming up to a time where my daughters are that age. I only hope and pray that I’ve instilled enough Truth and Love in them to make it through this time without any “MAJOR” confrontation. But if it comes, it’s because I failed in a certain area … I’ll take that responsibility.
Usually the term “legalistic” (and it’s other forms) rubs me the wrong way because it’s brought up by people who want to avoid obedience to the commandments and have a “gray area” that they can pick and choose from. God never intended this. Jesus was the most legalistic person that ever lived! He had to obey the Torah (the OT “law”), otherwise He wouldn’t have been the “sinless lamb”. And the bible explicitly says that we are to imitate Him. In fact, our love for Jesus is measured by our obedience to His commandments.
1John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
John 15:14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
God bless ….
As a matter of fact, my sermon tomorrow is entitled “To Obey Or Not To Obey” and one of the scriptures I will be using is the one you mentioned. Caution should be used in the teaching of sparing the rod. It referred to a shepherds rod- we would not use that on our children and was used to guide sheep, not hit them. Wisdom must be used in applying scriptures. Mention is even made of horses bits- we wouldn’t use them on our children either.
Also if a man goes to jail for child abuse we could apply “If any man provide not for his own, he is worse than an infidel.” As Solomon said, “Wisdom is the principal thing.” God bless you Kevin. I enjoyed your reports on your time with Elijah list.
Been there. I can feel for Creflo, and personally feel that he probably did what he believed he had to do. Some children DO report their own parents or guardians when they do NOT spare the rod. My husband’s niece once “turned us in” for a “controlled” spanking, that she was given after a “cool down” period. Both of us were there, and I can tell you honestly………She REALLY deserved it. She was not injured in any way. Her parents had given us temporary custody of her, because she was out of control.
This is some GREAT information on Creflo Dollar and this latest incident. If you want more info, click here: http://kennethcopelandblog.com/2012/06/08/creflo-dollar-arrested-for-attacking-daughter/