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Miles McPherson

(& MAC, Miles Ahead Crusades)

Is Miles Away From

The Truth

9-28-99

"MILES McPHERSON is a former NFL football player with the San Diego Chargers, nationally known youth evangelist, and president of Miles Ahead Ministries." "He teaches two weekly services at Horizon Christian Fellowship to over 2,800 bad-to-the-bone believers. Miles has a sincere desire himself to be bad-to-the-bone. He and his family reside in San Diego, California." (from page 6 of Miles' lastest book, Bad to the Bone, copyright 1999)

Miles' influence (according to "Miles Ahead Ministries" web page, www.milesahead.com) is vast. They state that "Over the last ten years, Miles has successfully reached hundreds of thousands of teens . . .". Sad to say, Miles is not reaching teens for Christ, because he does not teach them to love the Truth (John 14:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:10). Miles is a "bad-to-the-bone" false teacher who is on the broad way (Matthew 7:13-14; 2 Timothy 1-5; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-2; Jude 4). This is exemplified by:

1. His church, which is The Rock Church (www.therocksandiego.org), pastored by Miles, promotes the false gospel (Galatians 1:8-9) of 12-Steps when dealing with addictions.

There is a way out from the bondage and destructive power of addictions. Rock Recovery is a Christian 12-Step based Ministry. (www.therocksandiego.org/ministries/rockrecovery/, hard copy on file).

The 12-steps come from Mr. Bill Wilson, founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and creator of the twelve step program. Mr. Wilson was heavily influenced by demons. Chapter sixteen (p. 275f) of 'Pass It On' The Story of Bill Wilson and how the A.A. message reached the world records Mr. Wilson's use of the ouija board, participation in seances, psychic events, "spook sessions", table levitation, and how he would receive "messages" from "discarnate" spirits. Bill Wilson was clearly in contact with demons, and this is the man who created the deceptive twelve step program.

2. His silence. Noted in Miles' book, The Power of Believing in Your Child (page 6) is his involvement with TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and Focus on the Family (psychologist James Dobson). He would not be allowed on such programs if he was one who hated every false way (Psalm 119:104, 128) and exposed the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Miles is a hireling (John 10:12).

3. His ecumenism. In his book, Bad to the Bone, on page 89 Miles writes, "Think about all the people who drive past churches without stopping in. It's clear that they're missing out on God." It's clear Miles is missing out on what God has warned! Scripture depicts that the "churches" in the last days will not have God in them (like Revelation 3:14-20). Miles does not practice 2 Timothy 2:20-22, nor does he have a clue to the present reality of 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-2 (Jude 4), and the sobering truth of Luke 18:8.

The following are some examples of Miles McPherson's false teaching:

I. Miles Promotes Pride
(2 Timothy 3:2).

In The Power of Believing in Your Child (copyright 1998) Miles writes on page 96,

In this chapter, however, I want to talk about how children see themselves. They will have achieved one of life's highest - most difficult - tasks when they can look in a mirror, see themselves as God's creation, and be proud of what He made. (This is the entire paragraph. Bold added)

1 Peter 5:5 says,

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

In this teaching, Miles is encouraging people to be in opposition to God, because God resists the proud, and judges them (Malachi 4:1). Encouraging people to be proud of themselves is to encourage people to come under the same condemnation as the devil (1 Timothy 3:6), and is akin to the teaching of Robert Schuller.

II. Miles Promotes Self-esteem.

In this same book on page 103, Miles writes,

BUILD SELF-ESTEEM

ARE YOU DEVELOPING WORTHABILITY IN YOUR KIDS?

Self-esteem? Please see, Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 5:3 (Isaiah 66:2); Luke 9:23; Proverbs 26:12. By promoting self-esteem, Miles encourages people to be fools. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool."(Proverbs 28:26)

Similarly, in this same book, Miles' writes on page 105,

I saw a skit featuring two women playing a mother and a daughter. The daughter held a piece of paper in her hand that represented her self-image. Every time the parent questioned the daughter's worth, put the daughter down, or made the daughter feel unworthy of love, a piece of the paper was torn away and dropped to the floor. Even though on occasion the mother tried to do something positive or apologize for her negative input, the pieces of paper, once torn, could not be so easily attached again.

This is psychological worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19) that is nowhere taught in the Word of God. Immediately after this, Miles admits he gets at least some of his thinking from Psychologists (the world).

3. When you speak to your child, can you count more negative or positive words coming from your mouth? Psychologists contend it takes at least seven positive comments to undo one negative remark.

Indeed, we ought not talk in an ungodly way to our children (Ephesians 4:29). But, this "self-image" foolishness and this power of "negative" talk over "positive" talk is nowhere taught in the Word of God (Proverbs 30:5-6). In fact, to have a low self-image is good (Matthew 5:3), and there is much power in "positive" (godly) talk (Proverbs 10:11, 20-21; 11:30; 12:18; 15:4, 23; 16:24: 27:9). And, yes, there is power in "negative" (i.e., ungodly talk, Proverbs 11:11; 15:4). The bottom line is; "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."(Proverbs 18:21; see also Proverbs 25:15). The above teaching that says "it takes at least seven positive comments to undo one negative remark" is the wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 3:19).

Furthermore, on Miles' web site, he has a video offer (for a suggested $20 donation, 2 Corinthians 2:17) stating,

"It Ain't About You Mo" - Many teens struggle with low self-esteem and as a result fail to realize their full potential.

Here Miles turns a good thing (low self-esteem, please see Matthew 5:3; Isaiah 5:20; 66:2) into a bad thing, and follows after the common "empty deceit" of this age (Colossians 2:8-10). Humility (lowliness of mind) is esteeming one's self in a lowly fashion (low self-esteem). As it is written,

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)

In Miles' book, The Power of Believing in Your Child (copyright 1998), on page 51 Miles writes,

In a way, this whole book is about faith. It's about your faith in your child, and your child's faith in himself. But those little faiths root in ultimate faith: a living trust in God. (bold added)

This is a lie. Faith in oneself does not "root in ultimate faith" in God. It brings a curse (Jeremiah 17:5), and makes a person a fool (Proverbs 28:26). In this teaching alone, Miles leads people to hell. Because, "shame shall be the legacy of fools" (Proverbs 3:35).

III. Miles Denies (Titus 1:16) Romans 1:18-32 & 2:14-15.

In Miles' book, The Power of Believing in Your Child, on page 18 Miles writes,

Saddest of all, teens have no idea of how God sees their lives. Many have no idea they are acting in ways other than what God intends.

This is a lie! Teens most assuredly do have an idea of how God views their lives (please see Romans 1:18-32, particularly verses 28-32, "who, knowing the righteous judgment of God")! Also note Romans 2:14 & 15.

Another example of Miles' denial of Romans 1:18-32 can be seen in the little booklet given to new converts entitled, "Miles Ahead Crusades, My Commitment" (booklet on file). On page 3 it says,

Being at peace with God is not automatic because human beings by nature are separated from God. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Romans 6:23 adds: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Humanity has tried to bridge this separation in many ways . . . without success. (exact quote, not a word missing, bold added)

The above quote flatly denies Romans 1:21-23; 3:11; Psalm 10:3-4, and Ephesians 2:1. The ungodly (all who do not worship God in truth, Psalm 145:18; John 4:24) do not make attempts to bridge any gap between them and the true God.

For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is none of his thoughts. (Psalm 10:3, 4)

Those who do not know God do not even like to retain God in their minds (knowledge, Romans 1:28).

Likewise, in Miles' book, The Power of Believing in Your Child, on page 15 Miles furthers this same kind of deceit (and denial of the word of God, Titus 1:16) by quoting Vincent McNabb. Miles begins his first chapter with,

"There isn't any doubt about it, the human soul cannot go on forever in sin without some desire to free itself . . . conversion simply means turning around." (exact quote, not a word is left out, bold added)

Here, Miles (and Vincent) deny the truth of God's word in the above mentioned verses, as well as John 3:19-20. Men love darkness (sin, John 3:19; Romans 1:32). No spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), wicked man (Psalm 10:3-4) is ever going to want to be free from his sin. The only way this godly desire can come to be is by the hand of God (John 6:44; Ephesians 2:10). Otherwise, men go to perdition practicing and loving evil (Revelation 21:8; 22:15).

Similarly, Miles twists the truth (making it deception) by stating that a suicidal man, in his suicide, is looking for (seeking) God. On page 171 in Bad to the Bone, Miles writes,

. . . Aaron had been thinking about killing himself. Aaron felt that his life was going nowhere and that no one would even miss him if he died. But when Aaron went to the crusade and heard the music and the message, he realized that it was Jesus he was looking for. (bold added).

This is a serious perversion! Suicide is wicked, and thinking about killing oneself is evil-mindedness (Romans 1:29). When a person is thinking of killing themself, they are not looking for Christ, they are rejecting Him (Romans 1:28-29). The above (saying Aaron was looking for Christ in the midst of his evil-minded suicidal thoughts) is no better than saying a person can be looking for Christ in the midst of fornication, or adultery, or homosexuality, or drug abuse (Ephesians 2:1-3). These activities (and such evil-mindedness) exemplify that a person is rejecting God, not looking for Him. As it is written,

An evil man seeks only rebellion. (Proverbs 17:11)

Indeed, God can save people in the midst of (and out of) such activities (Ephesians 2:1-10). But, these activities in no way indicate any "looking" for God. They reveal just the opposite (Romans 1:28-31).

IV. Miles Teaches That God Believes In The Wicked.

In this same book, Miles writes on page 18 (same paragraph),

Saddest of all, teens have no idea of how God sees their lives. Many have no idea they are acting in ways other than what God intends. God - more than any parent, teacher, or youth advocate - grieves that they chase actions and attitudes that destroy themselves. Though He believes in them, they cut themselves off from Him. That's sin. Sin is glorified in their lives! (bold added, entire paragraph is quoted)

The teens here spoken of are wicked, "they cut themselves off from Him." To "believe" in someone is to trust them. God does not trust in or believe in the wicked. In fact, He hates them (Psalm 5:5-6; 11:5; Hosea 9:15), but loves them nonetheless (Romans 5:8). In the past, God has even told others not to trust (believe) in the wicked (e.g. Jeremiah 9:4; Proverbs 26:24-25). Note also Jesus' example in John 2:23-25. Here Jesus refused to "commit Himself" (i.e. believe in, trust in) even to those who believed in Him.

V. Miles Adds To The Word - Proverbs 30:5-6.

In Miles' book, 21 Jump-Start Devotional (copyright 1998), on page 37 Miles writes (in the context of John 3),

Nicodemus, a well-educated rabbi (a Jewish religious leader), didn't understand why his religious training could not produce the kind of miracles that Jesus was doing.

Neither John 3, nor any other Scripture, says any such thing (Proverbs 30:6).

Miles book, Bad to the Bone, provides several examples of adding to the Word of God. For instance, in the introduction, Miles writes,

Esther was bad to the bone when, as a teenager, she confronted the king about the death sentence on her people. Esther knew she was good-looking, and used her beauty to save a race of people. (bold added)

Please note Esther 4:10-14. Esther did not use "her beauty to save a race of people". Esther became queen before Haman's plot was made (Esther 3). By Esther 4, Esther was already queen, and it was her position (Esther 4:14) that she was able to use for the salvation (deliverance) of the Jews.

Here is another example from Miles' introduction (page 10).

Daniel was bad to the bone when, as a teenager, he denied the king's delicacies and instead ate vegetables and water. Daniel knew that the Twinkies would eventually kill him.

Please note Daniel 1:8. It was not Daniel's health or physical life he was particularly concerned with, but it was "that he might not defile himself."

Furthermore, note what Miles writes about Jesus in the introduction (page 10).

Jesus was bad to the bone when, at the age of twelve, He hung out and challenged the temple rabbis to a debate on the Bible, God's Word. Fools. Jesus IS the Word, so they didn't stand a chance.

Please note Luke 2:41-47. Jesus did not challenge them to a debate. He was simply listening to them (Luke 2:46), asking them questions (Luke 2:46), and giving them answers (Luke 2:47). And, those who heard Him were astonished at His understanding (Luke 2:47).

Another example of Miles adding to the Word of God in his Bad to the Bone book can be found on page 29 where Miles blasphemes David and says,

David was no doubt scared of Goliath at first. Everyone else was.

1 Samuel 17 says no such thing (nor does any other passage of Scripture). This is simple blasphemy (2 Timothy 3:2) against a man of God.

Similarly, on page 35 Miles further says of David (in the same context, Goliath),

David, on the other hand, must have thought of his fellow Israelites: "What are these chumps scared of?"

Please note that this presumption about David (which is nowhere found in the Biblical text) does not fit well with Miles' previous assumption about David. If David was scared at first, then he would have known first hand what the "chumps" were afraid of.

Another example of Miles adding to the Word of God in his Bad to the Bone book can be found on page 137 where Miles turns Jether's disobedience into something good. Miles writes,

When God catches you in a sinful act, there's no way you can say that Satan made you do it. You can't be forced to sin. You can always say no and walk away.

Jether practically had this principle tattooed to his forehead. As you read in today's Bible reading, when Jether was challenged by his father, Gideon, to kill the kings of Midian, he did not. Judges 8:20 says, "The youth would not draw his sword; for he was afraid, because he was still a youth." If Jether said no to his father, you can say no to so-called friends who want to bring you down by making you do stuff you shouldn't do.

Miles further writes on page 139,

When Jether was challenged to kill the kings of Midian, it must have been an exciting moment. Think about it, the Midianites had tormented and oppressed the Israelites for over seven years. They had killed Gideonís brothers. But now, after chasing the Midianites over hundreds of miles, Gideon had finally captured their kings. This was a day of great revenge for the people of Israel. Jether could be a hero, the one to actually slay the kings of the enemies.

Still, something inside of Jether told him that he wasn't right for the job. He was young and rightfully scared, but it wasn't Satan tugging at him. Despite the urging of his father, Jether felt that it would be wrong for him to kill the men. He didnít care what his friends would think, nor did he worry about the possible rejection his decision might cause.

In the above quotes, Miles uses Jether as a good example, when he actually is a bad example. Judges 8 says nothing (Proverbs 30:6) of Jether believing it would be wrong for him to kill the men (as Miles says). It says nothing of him not caring what his friends might think (as Miles says). It says nothing of Jether being worried (either way) of any possible rejection (as Miles says). It says nothing of Jether being able to say no to sin (as Miles says). In fact, instead of the text indicating any kind of action of saying no to sin, Judges 8:20 actually shows that he said yes to sin! Jether was not "rightfully scared" as Miles claims. Jether's disobedience to his father was wrong (Exodus 20:12). The men his father told him to kill were Israel's enemies, and it was good and right (as in Numbers 31:1-17; Joshua 8:23/29; 10:17-26; 1 Samuel 15:33) for Jether to kill them. Jether sinned by not obeying his father. His disobedience was evil, not good, and should not be used as an example to follow.

More of Miles' Bad to the Bone additions can be found on page 143 where Miles writes,

When Peter was miraculously released from prison, he ran to the house of Mary and knocked on the door. Who was the first one to jump up and answer it? Rhoda. Her actions said, "I want my miracle now." What would you have done when the knock came? Would you have been first in line? (entire paragraph is quoted)

Please read Acts 12:1-19. Nowhere does it indicate what Miles says here about Rhoda. He adds to the text his own conjecture. Rhoda could have simply been the one closest to the door, and therefore answered it. The text says nothing about why and/or what motivated Rhoda to answer the door, and what she may have been (or may not have been) looking for. Miles does here what God says not to do. "Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:6)

VI. Miles Is A Dreamer (Jude 8), And Opens The Door For Subjective Deception.

In his book, Bad to the Bone, on page 55, Miles writes,

Want to know God's dream for your life? You'll need to do three things.

First, go to sleep. I don't mean literally going to sleep, y'know, the mouth-wide-open-snoring-on-the-pillow kind of sleep. No! What I mean is that you need to get away where it is quiet and listen to God - a place where you can focus on God's voice and His direction for your life.

Miles' teaching on prayer promotes a "Wait in silence for God to speak to you" (21 Jump-Start Devotional, page 18) lie that is nowhere taught in holy writ. He attempts to support this folly with Scripture (see below), but he is miles from the truth. In Bad to the Bone, Miles continues on page 56 (immediately after the above quote),

Second, write down what you sense God is telling you. Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, 'Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Writing down your dreams will help you to understand them.

Miles use of Habakkuk 2:2-3 is a misuse of Scripture, because it speaks of a real vision from God. It is not a subjective impression that Habakkuk needed to "sense." Miles continues,

Third, start pursuing your dream. Begin with very simple steps, working out the details. To get more direction and help in developing your ideas, talk with your parents and/or an adult you trust who can possibly be your mentor. Let people know about your dreams, your aspirations, and God will honor your faith. He will open and close the right doors of opportunity as you proceed by faith.

This "faith" Miles speaks of is not a Biblical faith, because true Biblical faith believes and acts upon what is written (Scripture), not some subjective "sense" that, in all actuality, could be from one who comes as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), rather than from God. The Lord nowhere instructs us to seek Him in this way. Nowhere does He say that He will "open and close the right doors" in some attempt for us to find His leading. On the contrary, God has warned that He "tests the righteous" (Psalm 11:5). God might actually "open" a "door" to see if we will go through it or not (see, e.g. how He tested the Israelites, Deuteronomy 13:1-5)! This subjective sensing is not of God. What is not of God, is from the evil one (John 8:44).

Miles continues,

Interaction

Write down a dream that God has placed upon your heart; something you can only accomplish with God's help. Then make a commitment to begin to make it happen.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your word. My prayer today is I that [sic] would be more thoughtful when I consider the dreams you put on my heart. May I remember to listen to you and write down what you say, then by faith begin to walk in the path you set before me. Faith is proven by action, so I must act on my dreams and start to become a bad-to-the-bone dreamer like Joseph. (Bad to the Bone, page 56)

This teaching is bad to the bone! Joseph's dreams were real God given dreams, not something he had to "sense." Miles teaching above actually goes against the God of the Bible who has said,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

As we trust in God and acknowledge Him, that is, take heed to His word in every area of our lives, then we do not need to concern ourselves with this subjective plan that Miles speaks of. God promises, if we do these things (Proverbs 3:5-6), that He will direct us into the way we should go ("He shall direct your paths"), and we will not need to attempt to listen to some subjective voice that could easily be the working of the enemy of our soul (1 Peter 5:8) and our own deceptive heart (Jeremiah 17:9; e.g. Colossians 2:18-19).

In keeping with such dreams (Jude 8),

VIII. Miles Promotes A False Discipleship

In Miles' book, 21 Jump-Start Devotional, on page 23, in the context of those who are already "Christians" (i.e., saved), Miles writes,

How do I become a disciple?

Excellent Question!

The way you become a disciple (a Christ-follower) is to be discipled by someone else.

This is a serious perversion! First of all, becoming a disciple is never described as being "discipled by someone else." It is described as forsaking all for Christ. Please see the Scriptures below.

Secondly, true Christians (people who are saved) do not "become" disciples, they are disciples! If you are not a disciple of Christ, you are not a Christian, and you are still lost in your sins.

Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:34-36)

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26, 27 & 33)

For more proof, please note Matthew 10:37-39; 16:24-27; 28:19; Luke 9:23-26, and Acts 11:26 (where "Christians" and "disciples" are used synoymously).

May the Lord open your eyes to the deceit of this age (2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-2; Luke 18:8), and save you from men like Miles McPherson who speak perverse things (Proverbs 2:1-12).