Back in the May issue of Beacon Lights, a writer stated, “I do know a fantastic Christian psychologist (as well as many other fellow Christians) who has heard Meyer speak many times and has also read a few of her books. They have all found her teachings to be quite helpful and firmly based on the Word of God.” Left with that, the readers of Beacon Lights could understandably conclude that we promote her books and messages as being in harmony with the Reformed faith. But she is not Reformed, and much of her teaching is based upon false doctrine. As the editor, I should have either given some warning that Joyce Meyer has some very serious false teachings or left such statements of endorsement out of Beacon Lights. While it may be true that the writing and speaking of someone associated with a heretical movement are found to be useful in our practical life, I want to warn our readers of the false teachings of Joyce Meyer’s ministry and apologize for including the above statement in Beacon Lights without due warning.

Without digging into her books or radio addresses, it is clear from the “Statement of Faith” at http://www.joycemeyer.org/AboutUs/WhatWeBelieve.aspx that the doctrinal basis Joyce Meyer rests upon has been found by the church to be heretical. It is easy to see the arminian and conditional theology in the following statement based on Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 5:1; Romans 3:24:

We can have a personal relationship with God through salvation, God’s free gift to man. It is not a result of what we do, but it is only available through God’s unearned favor. By admitting we have sinned and believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and accepting Him as Lord, we can spend eternity with God.

While we know that God providentially upholds all things, and governs sickness as well as health, Joyce Meyer believes that the time of miraculous healing when Jesus and the apostles walked upon the earth continues today. Her statement of faith based on Luke 9:11; Matthew 9:35; Acts 10:38 & Matthew 10:1 says the following:

Divine healing is active in the lives of people today through Jesus, who is the Healer. Healing includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual restoration.

The following statement based on Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:12-15, and John 3:16-18 denies the sovereignty of God in salvation:

The Bible describes hell as a real place. It is a place of suffering and a place of permanent separation from God for those who die without accepting Christ. God’s desire is that no one be separated from Him for eternity, which is why he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to earth.

These are not the only points of error that serve as a foundation for the ministry of Joyce Meyer. It is not my intention to give a detailed analysis of the doctrinal foundation or the wayward movement that naturally is built upon such a foundation, though such an analysis would be profitable. One needs to be very discerning if he desires to glean with profit from the work and instruction built upon that foundation. Often a statement of faith can look biblical until it is closely examined. We do well to examine how much diligence was given to discovering the false doctrine in the statements of the Remonstrance and the establishing of a biblical creed in the Canons of Dordt. God gives us a warning through Paul in the following words: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Cor 3:10-15).

The Editor