NOTE: We have written on the topic of “Strange Fire,” specifically the problems of Charismatic and Pentecostal Theology in the Asian context here on the blog in the past and will continue to do so from time to time in the future.
“Pastor” David Yonggi Cho is the founding pastor of the Yoido Full Gospel Church in the Assembly of God denomination and reputed as the world’s largest congregation. There are concerns about his theology being biblical since he’s an advocate of Word of Faith teaching, among other things.
“Pastor” David Yonggi Cho was recently on the news this month, having gotten himself in legal trouble and found guilty by the court. A Gospel Herald news article writes,
According to reports, Cho was identified as an accomplice through committing breach of trust in 2002 by ordering the church to purchase his elder son Hee-jun’s stocks at four times the market price. The transaction resulted in the church’s loss of 13 billion won (US$12 million). Moreover, Cho was also found guilty of tax evasion of 3.5 billion won (US$3.3 million). In the same ruling, Cho’s elder son Hee-jun, the former CEO of the church-affiliated local daily Kookmin Ilbo, was sentenced to three years in prison for colluding with his father in the embezzlement scheme.
Over at Charisma News, there’s even a piece titled Setting the Record Straight on David Yonggi Cho by a friend of his ministry for forty years that provides some more context, making the point that Pastor Cho was misled by his “prodigal” son. I think it’s worth reading to see this situation as charitable as possible.
But even in the most charitable reading of this news there are legitimate concern from a biblically driven point of view especially with his ecclesiology and understanding of church office:
1.) Church buying stocks? I think the church’s shouldn’t have it’s business in stocks in the first place. One can see how a church driven by a prosperity message would be tempted to live out their pastor’s teaching and moves the church and the pastor stepping towards the direction of this scandal.
2.) The Charisma News piece is out to defend Cho by admitting this:
Cho has three sons. The second and third sons are very productive and work in church-related ministries. His eldest son has been the prodigal. He has been married four times and has been involved in sexual scandals with national personalities. In addition, he has served prison time for investment scams and embezzlement. His scandalized life has been an embarrassment to his family and the church.
I think this open up a whole can of worm. Don’t forget the qualification for an elder/pastor in 1 Timothy 3:4-5,
“4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),”
Biblically speaking, “Pastor” Cho isn’t qualified to be a pastor; or if he was qualified he has disqualified himself beforehand. I imagine it’s very hard to remove a charismatic, “successful” pastor on pragmatic grounds no matter what theological stripes you come from, but it must be even more difficult among Charistmatic circles with their ecclesiological baggage of a man of God being “anointed,” having special insights, revelation, etc., that gives more immunity than it is healthy.
3.) The Charisma News piece also mentioned that this “prodigal” son approached the dad with his dad’s choice elders to sign the paper work that got him in the quagmire. It’s important to avoid appearance of evil–and that means family business and church funds shouldn’t mix in the first place.
4.) One can’t help but to wonder about the role of prosperity Gospel in all this. In Cho’s book, Prayer that Brings Revival, he wrote “The gifts of the Holy Spirit are available for the asking. Healing, deliverance, prosperity, and blessing are all to be asked for” (75). With an unbiblical understanding of church leadership coupled with a wealthy church, a bad ecclesiology, and a prosperity gospel, you’re ASKING for this scandal.
I’m somewhat hesitant to disqualify a man because of the deeds of his grown children. However, in this case, the father fell in line with the prodigal son, and therefore, disqualifies himself.
It’s sad that this church is given over to such a ministry. I’ve heard of this church for years, and it was held up as a model at DTS while I was there. I don’t think they checked in to see what the church’s theology was all about. After all, we white European descendants can never judge or pass criticism upon minorities in any fashion. In other words, if a white pastor teaches heresy, we burn him at the stake. If a minority teaches heresy, we compliment him on his ability to lead people to the LORD and look the other way. Sad.
I agree with you concerning the tragedy of those who think just because someone is not European descendant they get a pass on criticism of heresy or unbiblical beliefs/practices. I say this as someone who is not of European descendant.
Thank you for your comment and input. I didn’t know you went to DTS…
Yes, I’m one of the odd students who went to DTS and actually became Reformed while there.🙂
Was easy believe-ism an issue on campus during your time?
BTW, some background may be necessary. During our Black History Week at DTS, we had a man who preached out and out heresy during chapel, to the point that many of the students were trying to shout him down and get him to shut up. The faculty, along with the president, said nothing and ignored the entire incident. That was my reference. The man should have been publicly rebuked for what he said about Christ, but given that he was a minority, everyone just smiled and ignore it.
I’ve seen something similar during a Pastor’s conference in which the speaker was doing ethnic Spanish ministry and said some really off the wall things not to mention his bagging on Whites as too theological. I was surprised at how people just sat there with smiles on their face like it was something profound. I thought I was the only one who found it theologically offense to our Lord and Savior until another ethnic minority brother said that was quite ignorant of the guy to say on stage.
[…] “Pastor” David Yonggi Cho Guitly, another case of Strange Fire in Asia […]
I guess they are just afraid of saying anything. Sad isn’t it? I’m glad most of our presbyteries are willing to exam men before ordaining them. That does help, not perfect, but does help.
Reblogged this on Truth2Freedom's Blog.
Thank you for re-blogging this! I’ll be checking out your blog later tonight!
Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord saves him of them all. What is happening to Pastor Yonggi Cho could have to anyone.
All Christians world wide should pray for this man of God for the fervent prayer of the righteous does great things. Whatever be the case, Pastor Cho is a man of God and people should not take advantage of this case to vilify him.
Remember He is an anointed man of God. God be with You Pastor Yonggi Cho
Hey friend,
1.) “What is happening to Pastor Yonggi Cho could have to anyone.”
True.
2.) “All Christians world wide should pray for this man of God for the fervent prayer of the righteous does great things.”
I do wonder if he really is a man of God from the point mentioned earlier but he ought to be someone we pray for regardless.
3.) “Whatever be the case, Pastor Cho is a man of God and people should not take advantage of this case to vilify him.”
Do you feel that I might have unnecessarily villify him or speaking the truth?
4.)”Remember He is an anointed man of God. God be with You Pastor Yonggi Cho”
I think it’s this “Thou Shall Not Touch the Lord’s Annointed” attitude is what enable things like this in the first place, what do you think?
Blessings to you in Jesus Christ.
No body are perfect… Keep doing the ministry Pastor Yonggi Cho… What you did is giving hope for millions of people…cant be counted by small money…you are God’s channel for this world. People always want you to fall…but God will be on your side.
Alberd,
1.) “No body are perfect… Keep doing the ministry Pastor Yonggi Cho… ”
Response: Is David Cho qualified or disqualified from the ministry according to 1 Timothy 3:2-4?
” An overseer, then, must be above reproach…free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)”
2.) “People always want you to fall…but God will be on your side.”
Response: It is not wrong to rebuke David Cho. Heed the words of 1 Timothy 5:19-20:
“Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.”
My desire is to be biblical, and not being mean spirited.
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