Paul C.
1/5
Heretical. I went to a small group at this church, and the small group leader started introducing Catholic doctrine, such as the doctrine of Holy Saturday - where Jesus allegedly rescued people from Hell. He also started arguing that the Shack's Trinity was a good representation of the actual Trinity.
I went to ask the theological pastor, Matt, if CA agreed with the belief in purgatory and the doctrines of God's judgment and Hell, as stated on the Four Square Assembly website. Matt refused to answer for almost a month, and I emailed him, without an answer I have to assume that CA endorses purgatory and doesn't believe in judgment and Hell as stated by the Four Square Assembly belief. Still no response. Matt can't even be respectful to answer simple questions on theology.
I found Matt’s talk to be so boring at Fusion. I asked the leaders to tell me when he speaks; so, I don't have to come back and have my time wasted.
I brought a guest to Fusion. And Matt was preaching again. I noticed at least 7 people were sleeping. My guest told me, "This is the worst Christian talk I've ever heard. And I didn't learn any Bible."
There used to be a Facebook group that talked about how boring Matt was. I don't understand why they continue to let him speak. I can only guess that he must know something about the internal church accounting.
Otherwise, after attending 2-3 months, I find them to be racially discriminatory. I only hear preaching from white people, like unqualified Matt. For a racially diverse City, I would expect to hear more preaching from Asian-Americans and Hispanics as well.
They seem to care more about numbers and the $5 million they bring in annually. I'd stay away.
Updated on June 10th, 2023.
Matt saw my review and wrote back that CA doesn't endorse purgatory and that it subscribes to all the values on Four Square Assembly. But then he proceeded to appear to make misrepresentations and attacked me.
After not hearing back from him since May 8, 2023 (nearly a month), Matt wrote, "I sent a response to this email last week while I was staying in a hotel for a convention out of town."
So I replied back, "PS: please forward me a copy of the email you sent last week."
Matt had to then admit: "I don’t have a copy of the email I wrote last week which didn’t get delivered. It isn’t in my sent or drafts files." This appears to be a lie, and from a "Christian preacher" of all people.
Then Matt kicks me out of the church, just because I asked questions of theology, "Based on . . . your concerns with the theology taught at Christian Assembly it seems like Christian Assembly is not a good fit for you. I hope that you are able to find a local church that suits you." He then signs his signature "With grace".
Given that it took him almost a month to respond to simple theology questions, I have to assume that Matt, himself, does not agree with Four Square's doctrine on judgment, Hell, final judgment, and sin. Generally, people who agree with core values will email back promptly and are not uncomfortable with answering simple questions.
So I wrote back: "Do you personally believe in God's judgment upon our lives and that Hell exists and that that judgment is final?"
Matt responds: "Paul, / Please seek elsewhere for answers to your questions."
I conclude by writing back, "Matt: / I will assume your answer to be no then. Only you can provide me the answer to your . . . beliefs."
Based on the attitude, no repentance of bad doctrine, and the lack of grace and lying, I stand by my remarks that leaders like Matt endorse heresy.
Scripture says: "But this is what I have against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a messenger of God. By her teaching she misleads my servants into practicing sexual immorality and eating food that has been offered to idols. . . . . I will throw her on a bed where she and those who committed adultery with her will suffer terribly." (Revelation 2:20, GNT).
Article coming out on Legal Lens. Be on the look out for it.
