Paula White, a spiritual advisor to President Donald Trump and former pastor of New Destiny Christian Center, is no stranger to controversy. Like many pastors who attain national attention, she has been both praised and criticized for both her lifestyle and teachings.
Her latest book, Something Greater: Finding Triumph Over Trials, is dividing leaders of the evangelical community. In a since-deleted tweet, Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, encouraged his two million followers to check out her book. The move drew the ire of some public commenters who said Grahams’ late father, Billy Graham, would be disappointed in his son’s endorsement.
Other respected leaders have not been shy about their support for a book which they say is encouraging.
On Twitter, Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, said to give Something Greater to “anyone looking for hope!” Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, said, “Paula’s life is an encouragement to so many and I’m sure this book will encourage you.”
However, blogger Justin Peters responded, “@robertjeffress I appeal to you to immediately disassociate with Paula White. A lack of discernment of this magnitude is a very, very serious issue for a pastor. She is both unqualified and disqualified on every imaginable level to be in any kind of ministry. This is serious.”
Peters, though, has been criticized himself for attacking just about every Christian leader who doesn’t line up with his particular brand of faith. In one blog post he even stated he had “very serious concerns with Beth Moore.”
Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., said that although he and White have different theological views, her book will give readers hope.
“Honestly, I was not sure what to think when I was first invited to meet @Paula_White,” he tweeted. “Clearly, we differed in some areas theologically. Yet I have found her to be gracious and humble. I’m glad she has taken the time to write down her amazing life story. It will give you hope.”
White, who in the past has described herself as the “convener and de facto head” of the president’s evangelical advisory board, has been attacked in the past for her teachings, with some alleging she supports the prosperity gospel.
White, however, has said she rejects the prosperity gospel say pointing out an honest review of her sermons shows she is not a supporter of the movement. “I do not believe in the ‘prosperity gospel’ as I’ve been accused of believing it,” she said.. “I do believe that all good things come from God, and I also believe that God teaches us so much through our suffering.
“Listen to 100 of my sermons, and 80 or 90 of them will be about overcoming our struggles and the lessons God teaches us in valleys he allows us to enter. My life has not been an easy one, from my childhood, and at times, in my adulthood.”
President Trump has been lauded for the wide diversity of people whom he surrounds himself for spiritual guidance. The group has regularly been the subject of leftist media scorn and derision been with a streaming television show attempting to portray them as part of a world-wide conspiracy.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice News
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Click here to learn more about Something Greater: Finding Triumph Over Trials.