Why does this teaching matter?
In his explosive 'Reproach of the Solemn Assembly' sermon (April 11, 1999), David Wilkerson told his 7,000-member Times Square Church congregation to burn books written by propagators of prosperity doctrines and false manifestations. He named Benny Hinn and Rodney Howard-Browne as examples of those who 'perpetrated misrepresentations of the Holy Spirit's manifestations,' leveled blasphemy charges at Kenneth Copeland's prosperity doctrine, and told his congregation to stay away from Howard-Browne's 'Good News New York' crusade. Wilkerson defended naming names by pointing to Paul's example — Paul named Hymenaeus, Alexander, and Philetus as false teachers (1 Tim 1:19-20, 2 Tim 2:17-18). He called the prosperity gospel 'an American gospel invented and spread by rich American evangelists and pastors.' One speaker at a Copeland conference reportedly bragged about owning a $15,000 dog and a $32,000 ring while selling his 8,000 square-foot house to buy a larger home.
What did David Wilkerson teach?
"Paul the Apostle named those who he believed were false prophets. He warned and he named their names. I am telling you now that if you can listen to what I am about to tell you, and not be grieved, then you are blind. You are spiritually blind."
Speaker: David Wilkerson
Source: David Wilkerson, 'The Reproach of the Solemn Assembly' sermon, Times Square Church (April 11, 1999)
What does Scripture confirm?
2 Timothy 2:17-18
"And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth."
— NKJV
Paul NAMED Hymenaeus and Philetus as false teachers. He didn't whisper — he named them publicly in a letter to be read in all churches. Wilkerson followed the same apostolic pattern: he named Benny Hinn, Rodney Howard-Browne, and Kenneth Copeland publicly from the pulpit. Naming false teachers is not unloving — it is biblical pastoral responsibility.
1 Timothy 1:19-20
"having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."
— NKJV
Paul named ADDITIONAL false teachers — Hymenaeus and Alexander — and handed them over to Satan. Paul took false teaching with utmost seriousness. If Paul lived today, he would name the modern prosperity preachers who distort the gospel. Wilkerson had the same Pauline zeal for truth.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness."
— NKJV
FALSE APOSTLES disguise themselves as Christ's servants. They preach in Jesus' name, they perform signs and wonders, they quote the Bible — but they are deceitful workers. Wilkerson warned: 'They sound just like preachers of the gospel. They freely use Jesus' name. They speak of righteousness. They quote Scripture. They cast out devils. They heal the sick... But the message is not from God.' Satan's most dangerous weapon is not atheism — it is false Christianity.
1 Timothy 6:5-10
"...useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
— NKJV
Paul describes the prosperity gospel exactly: people who think 'godliness is a means to financial gain.' Kenneth Copeland has a personal net worth of hundreds of millions. Benny Hinn lived in luxury. Wilkerson called it 'an American gospel invented and spread by rich American evangelists.' The love of money destroys faith — it doesn't save it.