Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering is adapted from a chapter of the widely disseminated book, Charismatic Captivation—Authoritarian Abuse & Psychological Enslavement in Neo-Pentecostal Churches. That book exposes the widespread problem of authoritarian abuse that has been flourishing virtually unabated for decades since it was first infused into the very fabric, foundation, and functions of the Charismatic/Neo-Pentecostal church during the false movement known as the Discipleship/Shepherding Movement (1970-77). Owing extensively to that Movement and the teachings that were promulgated during it, hyper-authoritarian doctrines and practices have become cemented into the foundation, fabric, and functions of many churches, major segments of some denominations, as well as many of the apostolic networks of churches, ministries, and ministers that have emerged over primarily that last four or five decades. The problem has become so widespread that it has now reached pandemic proportions in Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal streams. The purpose of Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering is to analyze against the foundation-stone of Scripture, one of the foundational elements of this hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical culture, demonstrate its irrefutable incongruity with Scripture, and disabuse believers from acceptance of and adherence to it, thereby liberating them from the invisible chains of psychological enslavement that have been holding them in bondage to the illegitimate authority structures of men. Hyper-authoritarianism is predominance or psychological control imposed by spiritual leaders upon their followers or congregants regarding not only their involvements within the church or ministry, but also regarding their personal and private lives. Ministries and church-groups practicing this illegitimate domination employ various means and degrees of psychological indoctrination and coercion to compel congregants or adherents to subject and conform their personal activities, behavior, and affairs of life to the leadership-prescribed standards, rules, expectations, and collective corporate goals of the church or ministry. The purported pretext for the imposition of this religious governance is an adulterated or perverted concept of ecclesiastical authority. Promulgators and practitioners adamantly claim that the mechanisms of manipulation they employ are a perfectly Scriptural system of "discipleship" or "spiritual training" in fulfillment of the role and responsibility of spiritual leaders to "make disciples." However, the fact of the matter is this kind of "discipleship" exceeds by far the bounds and intents of legitimate, that is, Scriptural and Godly, authority. This kind of so-called "shepherding" is not that which is inspired by the Good Shepherd, but by His arch-rival, Satan, rather it is blatant misuse and abuse of authority, and is Scripturally-prohibited usurpation of believers' God-given prerogative or right of personal autonomy. The author of this book, Dr. Steven Lambert, a Pentecostal/Charismatic Bible scholar and theologian, shows conclusively that so-called "spiritual covering," as theorized by those who teach, promulgate, and adhere to it, is an absolute myth and an unmitigated lie, and that indeed no semblance of the version of "spiritual covering" taught by its proponents exists anywhere within Scripture. It is a complete fabrication concocted by the originators of these fallacious doctrines by which to facilitate and perpetuate their purely self‑aggrandizing objectives of subjugation, domination and control of the sheep of God's Flock. Every believer in Christ who has ever been exposed to the deception of "spiritual covering," whereby hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical autocrats use it to subjugate, dominate, and control their followers, desperately needs to read this book, and follow the "15 Rs of Recovery from Authoritarian Abuse" delineated in the book's last chapter.

Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering is adapted from a chapter of the widely disseminated book, Charismatic Captivation-Authoritarian Abuse & Psychological Enslavement in Neo-Pentecostal Churches. That book exposes the widespread problem of authoritarian abuse that has been flourishing virtually unabated for decades since it was first infused into the very fabric, foundation, and functions of the Charismatic/Neo-Pentecostal church during the false movement known as the Discipleship/Shepherding Movement (1970-77). Owing extensively to that Movement and the teachings that were promulgated during it, hyper-authoritarian doctrines and practices have become cemented into the foundation, fabric, and functions of many churches, major segments of some denominations, as well as many of the apostolic networks of churches, ministries, and ministers that have emerged over primarily that last four or five decades. The problem has become so widespread that it has now reached pandemic proportions in Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal streams. The purpose of Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering is to analyze against the foundation-stone of Scripture, one of the foundational elements of this hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical culture, demonstrate its irrefutable incongruity with Scripture, and disabuse believers from acceptance of and adherence to it, thereby liberating them from the invisible chains of psychological enslavement that have been holding them in bondage to the illegitimate authority structures of men. Hyper-authoritarianism is predominance or psychological control imposed by spiritual leaders upon their followers or congregants regarding not only their involvements within the church or ministry, but also regarding their personal and private lives. Ministries and church-groups practicing this illegitimate domination employ various means and degrees of psychological indoctrination and coercion to compel congregants or adherents to subject and conform their personal activities, behavior, and affairs of life to the leadership-prescribed standards, rules, expectations, and collective corporate goals of the church or ministry. The purported pretext for the imposition of this religious governance is an adulterated or perverted concept of ecclesiastical authority. Promulgators and practitioners adamantly claim that the mechanisms of manipulation they employ are a perfectly Scriptural system of "discipleship" or "spiritual training" in fulfillment of the role and responsibility of spiritual leaders to "make disciples." However, the fact of the matter is this kind of "discipleship" exceeds by far the bounds and intents of legitimate, that is, Scriptural and Godly, authority. This kind of so-called "shepherding" is not that which is inspired by the Good Shepherd, but by His arch-rival, Satan, rather it is blatant misuse and abuse of authority, and is Scripturally-prohibited usurpation of believers' God-given prerogative or right of personal autonomy. The author of this book, Dr. Steven Lambert, a Pentecostal/Charismatic Bible scholar and theologian, shows conclusively that so-called "spiritual covering," as theorized by those who teach, promulgate, and adhere to it, is an absolute myth and an unmitigated lie, and that indeed no semblance of the version of "spiritual covering" taught by its proponents exists anywhere within Scripture. It is a complete fabrication concocted by the originators of these fallacious doctrines by which to facilitate and perpetuate their purely self aggrandizing objectives of subjugation, domination and control of the sheep of God's Flock. Every believer in Christ who has ever been exposed to the deception of "spiritual covering," whereby hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical autocrats use it to subjugate, dominate, and control their followers, desperately needs to read this book, and follow the "15 Rs of Recovery from Authoritarian Abuse" delineated in the book's last chapter.

This book offers a critique of common spiritual warfare practices including binding Satan, renouncing curses, spiritual mapping and exorcisms. Using Scripture, and Scripture alone, Pastor Jim Osman shows that true spiritual warfare is not a battle over territory, but a battle for the truth. The book is divided into four sections: Establishing Biblical Principles, Exposing Unbiblical Practices, Explaining Biblical Perspectives and Examining a Biblical Passage. A biblical approach to spiritual warfare recognizes the Bible as the sole authority, rejects unbiblical and man-made methods, and rests in Christ and His finished work for victory. Many in the modern spiritual warfare movement teach a methodology of spiritual warfare that is more akin to something you would find in a Harry Potter novel (renouncing curses and using prayer mantras to seize territory) than anything described in Scripture. Many of these practices reflect a theology built on anecdotes, experience, and interviews with demons rather than a sound exegesis of Scripture. Footnoted quotations of authors like Mark Bubeck, Neil T. Anderson, and others are compared against Scripture to show that modern spiritual warfare "experts" have abandoned the authority of Scripture and opted for man-made methods to wage spiritual battle. The chapters include a study of the three enemies that every Christian faces: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Pastor Osman answers from Scripture the questions: Can a Christian be demon-possessed? Is Christ's authority ours? and, What about exorcisms? One chapter includes a helpful discussion of the link between spiritual warfare and a believer's sanctification. The foreword is written by international conference speaker Justin Peters (justinpeters.org). This book is being published as an e-book as a fundraiser to finish the new church building of Kootenai Community Church (www.kootenaichurch.org) of which Jim is one of the pastors. All the proceeds go the building fund for the completion of that project. You can see regular updates at http: //www.truthorterritory.com .

How does the spirit come into clinical work? Through the analyst? In the analysand's work in the analysis? What happens to human destructiveness if we embrace a vision of non-violence? Do dreams open us to spiritual life? What is the difference between repetition compulsion and ritual? How does religion feed terrorism? What happens if analysts must wrestle with hate in themselves? Do psychotherapy and spirituality compete, or contradict, or converse with each other? What does religion uniquely offer, beyond what psychoanalysis can do, to our surviving and thriving? This book abounds with such important questions and discussions of their answers.

Discovering Gods Design answers the call for a resource that any woman can use to help her reexamine her view of womanhood according to Scripture. Walker leads us, as women, on a journey to embrace the wonderful truth that being called woman, according to Gods design, is an essential aspect of our identity. Dr. Terri Stovall (PhD), Dean of Womens Programs and Associate Professor of Womens Ministries at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Discovering Gods Design is a six-week Bible study for women of all ages. In a world where feminism and political correctness have threatened to undermine Gods design for a woman, her family, and her ministry, Discovering Gods Design provides biblical guidelines on how to live out the unique calling God has placed on each womans life. Beginning in Genesis, you will explore how God crafted Adam and Eve to be His image bearers in the world. God, in His infinite wisdom, created men and women to complement each other. He designed Adam to be the leader, provider, and protector of Eve, and He designed Eve to be Adams helpmate. However, with the introduction of sin in Genesis 3, man and woman have continued to struggle in their relationships with each other and the world. But there is good news. God provided an answer to the constant tension by offering us salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesuss death, burial, and resurrection did not remove the God-given gender distinctions. Instead, it restored them. Women are now free to discover what it means to be an image bearer, how He has gifted each woman for a specific task, and then provided an opportunity, within the boundaries of scripture, to accomplish the task set before them. If you have wondered what it means to be a biblical woman, then look no further. Discovering Gods Design is for you!

William Lobdell's journey of faith—and doubt—may be the most compelling spiritual memoir of our time. Lobdell became a born-again Christian in his late 20s when personal problems—including a failed marriage—drove him to his knees in prayer. As a newly minted evangelical, Lobdell—a veteran journalist—noticed that religion wasn't covered well in the mainstream media, and he prayed for the Lord to put him on the religion beat at a major newspaper. In 1998, his prayers were answered when the Los Angeles Times asked him to write about faith. Yet what happened over the next eight years was a roller-coaster of inspiration, confusion, doubt, and soul-searching as his reporting and experiences slowly chipped away at his faith. While reporting on hundreds of stories, he witnessed a disturbing gap between the tenets of various religions and the behaviors of the faithful and their leaders. He investigated religious institutions that acted less ethically than corrupt Wall St. firms. He found few differences between the morals of Christians and atheists. As this evidence piled up, he started to fear that God didn't exist. He explored every doubt, every question—until, finally, his faith collapsed. After the paper agreed to reassign him, he wrote a personal essay in the summer of 2007 that became an international sensation for its honest exploration of doubt. Losing My Religion is a book about life's deepest questions that speaks to everyone: Lobdell understands the longings and satisfactions of the faithful, as well as the unrelenting power of doubt. How he faced that power, and wrestled with it, is must reading for people of faith and nonbelievers alike.

Multitudes of sincere and trusting believers are caught in the virtually invisible web of religious captivation in the churches they attend, ministries they are under, and networks they are aligned with...and don't know it!These faithful followers of Christ are unaware victims of spiritual abuse, psychological enslavement, and exploitation perpetrated under the heavy-hand of hyper-authoritarianism. That is to say, the leadership of the church-group of which they are a part is dominating, controlling, manipulating, and exploiting their followers for personal gain and private kingdom-building. Through systematic indoctrination, victims are duped into accepting as biblical and beneficial the oppressive and abusive predominance imposed upon them by unscrupulous, tyrannical church-leaders.Without realizing the spiritual effect of what they are doing, myriads of sincere, faithful believers, in submitting themselves and surrendering unto their spiritual leaders their God-given right to self-governance, have become what God explicitly admonished against: "DO NOT BECOME SLAVES OF MEN!" (1 Cor. 7:23).Authoritarian abuse (aka, "spiritual abuse") is one of the most widespread and troubling problems facing the Church today. Indeed, the truth is that ecclesiastical enslavement and exploitation is pandemic in many sectors of 21st Century Christendom, though those churches and ministries employing it go to great lengths to disguise and conceal it.Though religious predomination is certainly nothing new, and hyper-authoritarianism is by no means limited to the Neo-Pentecostal branch of the Church, it has especially flourished in Charismatic and other Neo-Pentecostal groups since it was infused into the fabric, foundation, and functions of that branch of the Church in the early- to mid-seventies through what became known as the "Discipleship or Shepherding Movement." The doctrines and practices spawned in that false movement remain an integral part of the operations of many churches and groups yet today!Written from an "insider's" perspective by a noted and respected Charismatic minister, Charismatic Captivation, has been appraised and praised by ministers, scholars, theologians, church leaders, and laymen as one of the most comprehensive and convincing volumes written to date on the prevalent problem of authoritarian abuse, yet without the "Charismatic-bashing" characteristic of other books citing Neo-Pentecostal abuses.