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Faith-Based Fraud: Learning from the Great Religious Scandals of Our Time
We live in a secular, skeptical, and cynical age. Americans have lost faith in its institutions – including the church. Although the vast majority of Christian leaders serve faithfully, examples of financial fraud, greed, sexual and emotional abuse, and other systemic problems are almost everyday occurrences. And a watching world has a right to ask even those who are faithful ministers of the Gospel: “If you knew this was happening, why didn’t you say something?”
Whether or not honest and above-board Christian leadership like it, in the eyes of the world, our silence makes us complicit.
That’s why this book is so vital. Faith-Based Fraud is a clear-eyed look at fraud in the church – from Jim and Tammy Bakker’s PTL Network to Mark Driscoll, Todd Bentley, David Jeremiah, and Bill Hybels. It is an answer to those who say that the silence of Christian leadership is approval. And although this book is sometimes tough on the church and its leaders, its purpose is not to tear down the evangelical church, but to restore it to its rightful place of influence in the culture and in the lives of people who desperately need its message of grace and truth.
Whether or not honest and above-board Christian leadership like it, in the eyes of the world, our silence makes us complicit.
That’s why this book is so vital. Faith-Based Fraud is a clear-eyed look at fraud in the church – from Jim and Tammy Bakker’s PTL Network to Mark Driscoll, Todd Bentley, David Jeremiah, and Bill Hybels. It is an answer to those who say that the silence of Christian leadership is approval. And although this book is sometimes tough on the church and its leaders, its purpose is not to tear down the evangelical church, but to restore it to its rightful place of influence in the culture and in the lives of people who desperately need its message of grace and truth.
- GenresNonfiction
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 19, 2022
In 1993 Warren Cole Smith moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to work in banking. While living here he ended up starting a weekly newspaper called The Charlotte World and finding his calling as a Christian journalist. During his time writing for The Charlotte World Smith researched and wrote about lots of Faith-Based Fraud. Because of his financial background Smith started to see common red flags with faith organizations that ended up in financial or moral trouble. Most of these red flags are obvious, but as he skillfully points out throughout the book it's so easy to slowly slide into gray areas that soon turn into blatantly sinful areas. Pastors and ministry leaders are humans first and no one is immune from sin or bad decisions. He covers a wide variety of frauds from blatant Ponzi schemes to more subtle slippery slope or questionable situations. In each fraud exploration Smith tells the story, but also points out the obvious red flags that could have possibly prevented these situations. This is a really unique book. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect, but I really liked that Smith is a Christian and wrote this book from a Christian perspective. So, it's not "look at how awful Christians and churches are," but more as Christians we should be better than this. His main points/suggestions which are discussed in more detail throughout the book are: greater transparency, greater accountability, a self-regulating organization for ministry groups, re-regulation of the nonprofit sector, a philanthropy marketplace, aggressive Christian journalism, and a theology of work. I was really impressed overall, but it's also a somewhat hard/frustrating read as a Christian.
Some quotes I liked:
"The problems I recount in this book are not organizational problems that can be solved with new regulations and procedures. The problems are spiritual and theological ones that merely manifest themselves as organizational problems." (p. 18)
[On the false prosperity gospel theology] "I would also observe that prosperity theology is self-contradictory, and that fact exposes it as fraud. In other words: If it is true that God always and inevitably returns financial seeds sown with an abundant financial return, why would not these very prosperity preachers immediately sow the money they are given into the lives of others rather than on the material goods for themselves? Their very behavior, their lavish expenditures on mansions and airplanes, and their stockpiles of cash are the clearest indicators that they don't believe what they're preaching. Otherwise, they too would be giving away all they own in anticipation of an even greater return." (p. 192-93)
[On the topic of private jets owned by prosperity gospel pastors - specifically Jesse Duplantis] "In May 2018...he was asking his followers to donate money so he could purchase a new fifty-four million dollar Dassault Falcon 7X. He said during his fundraising for the jet that he needed a new one - which would be at least the fourth one his ministry has owned since 2006, that he was 'just burning them up for the Lord Jesus Christ.' He also said, 'I really believe that if Jesus was physically on the earth today, he wouldn't be riding a donkey. Think about that for a minute. He'd be in an airplane, preaching the gospel all over the world.'....But perhaps his most bizarre rationale for the jet came in 2016, when Duplantis was a guest on Kenneth Copeland's television program. Here a partial transcript of their exchange: Copeland: Oral [Roberts] used to fly [commercial] airlines. But, even back then it got to the place where it was agitating his spirit. People coming up to him, he had become famous, and they wanted him to pray for them and all that. You can't, you can't manage that today. This dope-filled world, and get in a long tube with a bunch of demons. And it's deadly. Duplantis: It works on your heart, it really does." (p. 196-97)
"All of which seems to confirm Albert Meyer's assertion that 'government oversight is not worthless, it is worse than worthless, because it gives people a false sense of security, a sense that someone is paying attention, when in fact most of the time they are not.'" (p. 260-61)
Some quotes I liked:
"The problems I recount in this book are not organizational problems that can be solved with new regulations and procedures. The problems are spiritual and theological ones that merely manifest themselves as organizational problems." (p. 18)
[On the false prosperity gospel theology] "I would also observe that prosperity theology is self-contradictory, and that fact exposes it as fraud. In other words: If it is true that God always and inevitably returns financial seeds sown with an abundant financial return, why would not these very prosperity preachers immediately sow the money they are given into the lives of others rather than on the material goods for themselves? Their very behavior, their lavish expenditures on mansions and airplanes, and their stockpiles of cash are the clearest indicators that they don't believe what they're preaching. Otherwise, they too would be giving away all they own in anticipation of an even greater return." (p. 192-93)
[On the topic of private jets owned by prosperity gospel pastors - specifically Jesse Duplantis] "In May 2018...he was asking his followers to donate money so he could purchase a new fifty-four million dollar Dassault Falcon 7X. He said during his fundraising for the jet that he needed a new one - which would be at least the fourth one his ministry has owned since 2006, that he was 'just burning them up for the Lord Jesus Christ.' He also said, 'I really believe that if Jesus was physically on the earth today, he wouldn't be riding a donkey. Think about that for a minute. He'd be in an airplane, preaching the gospel all over the world.'....But perhaps his most bizarre rationale for the jet came in 2016, when Duplantis was a guest on Kenneth Copeland's television program. Here a partial transcript of their exchange: Copeland: Oral [Roberts] used to fly [commercial] airlines. But, even back then it got to the place where it was agitating his spirit. People coming up to him, he had become famous, and they wanted him to pray for them and all that. You can't, you can't manage that today. This dope-filled world, and get in a long tube with a bunch of demons. And it's deadly. Duplantis: It works on your heart, it really does." (p. 196-97)
"All of which seems to confirm Albert Meyer's assertion that 'government oversight is not worthless, it is worse than worthless, because it gives people a false sense of security, a sense that someone is paying attention, when in fact most of the time they are not.'" (p. 260-61)
December 21, 2023
Before I can even address the content of the book, please bear with my nitty-gritty nitpicking. A number of typos and errors left me with the impression that the author and/or editor did not put enough time and effort into publishing a quality book. For one small example, the glossary at the end of the book says that "GAAP" stands for "Generally Accepted Accounting Practices", when in actuality it is "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles." It may seem like splitting hairs, but the accountant in me died a little bit to know the author did not take the time to check what a term as simple as GAAP actually stands for...in the glossary section, of all places! Christian music, art, and literature, among other things, bear the unfortunate reputation of often being subpar in quality to their secular counterparts, so we don't need any additional books that further that reputation like this one.
Content-wise, the stories were okay. Just that. I never really got a grasp of the thesis that Smith is trying to make, as the stories seem rather haphazardly strung together. Sure, he makes some good points about the need for accountability and oversight in church leadership and finances, particularly among prosperity gospel and evangelical mega-churches. However, the delivery of that message, or whatever primary message the author was trying to convey, fell disappointingly flat. For anyone wanting to read an insightful treatise on the history of church corruption and fraud in America, I would steer clear of this book and look elsewhere.
Content-wise, the stories were okay. Just that. I never really got a grasp of the thesis that Smith is trying to make, as the stories seem rather haphazardly strung together. Sure, he makes some good points about the need for accountability and oversight in church leadership and finances, particularly among prosperity gospel and evangelical mega-churches. However, the delivery of that message, or whatever primary message the author was trying to convey, fell disappointingly flat. For anyone wanting to read an insightful treatise on the history of church corruption and fraud in America, I would steer clear of this book and look elsewhere.
April 25, 2023
Warren Cole Smith provides for the reader an evaluation of the many modern-day, faith based frauds within American culture. He begins the book by introducing the reader, the background to the phrase, "Ponzi-scheme," an oft-used word that one may not know the background to. In the introduction and the first chapter, Smith speaks to the issue of the need for accountability in non-profit, faith based ministries and provides a definition of what is meant by "faith based fraud." After setting the stage for the direction of the book, Smith introduces to the reader the story of Charles Ponzi. This chapter was a fascinating chapter to read for, like many, I did not know the background of the phrase, "Ponzi-scheme." Understanding Charles Ponzi and the history of ponzi-schemes gives a framework for which the remainder of the book is built. From there, Smith writes about Jim and Tammy Faye Baker and the infamous PTL scandal; Todd Bentley and his actions of taking the money and running; The ponzi-scheme behind the John Bennett and Foundation for New Era Philanthropy (which I had never heard of yet found incredibly interesting); The infamous Bernard Madoff and Allen Stanford ponzi-scheme that devastated the U.S. economy; scandals within local churches in their building project, fund-raising exploits; the prosperity gospel frauds that consume the airways and use monies donated to live luxurious lifestyles; to the downfall and corruption within Willow Creek church (in Chicago area) and Mark Driscoll's Mars Hill church in Seattle; and the ethical problems in David Jeremiah's approach to book selling. Last, Smith talks about what is called the Grassley Six when six non-profit organizations were in the crosshairs of an investigation by Senator Grassley, yet most of them stiff armed Grassley and refused to be held accountable to their financial dealings. Smith ends his book by explaining what the Grassley Six tell us about ourselves, our naivete and lack of discernment in who we support financially, noting at the end that we have met the enemy, and the enemy is us. This book could serve as a wakeup call to the evangelical world and be influential in righting many wrongs that have left the testimony for the Lord in shambles in many elements of society. I highly encourage this read.
January 2, 2025
Faith Based Fraud is a terrific read from Warren Smith, currently the Director of Ministry Watch--a journalistic non-profit that reports on the transparency and financial states (among other things) of mostly Christian non-profits.
Smith, after a good introduction informing the reader where he plans to go, tells lively stories of major Christian or religious frauds. He starts with Charles Ponzi--not that he was primarily a religious figure but to illustrate how fraudsters prey on their own community and to describe how Ponzi schemes work. Following that chapter, he describes the variations on Ponzi perpetrated in the last two centuries by Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, Todd Bentley, New Era Philanthropy, Bernie Madoff, Allen Stanford and several other less known characters.
After a short chapter on private luxury jets as a strong red flag, Smith includes a chapter on sexual misconduct at Willow Creek (sexual misconduct being a common sub-theme in financial frauds).
He closes with two illustrations of unethical manipulation of best-seller lists evidenced by Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church in Seattle and David Jeremiah in his Florida ministry.
Smith is a good storyteller and the book is an easy read, but very hard to internalize. The hard truth its that the lure of worldly riches will guarantee the problem of fraud will never go away. Smith's book gives us a good roadmap for identifying them, limiting them and avoiding falling prey ourselves.
A very important book well-worth the time.
Smith, after a good introduction informing the reader where he plans to go, tells lively stories of major Christian or religious frauds. He starts with Charles Ponzi--not that he was primarily a religious figure but to illustrate how fraudsters prey on their own community and to describe how Ponzi schemes work. Following that chapter, he describes the variations on Ponzi perpetrated in the last two centuries by Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, Todd Bentley, New Era Philanthropy, Bernie Madoff, Allen Stanford and several other less known characters.
After a short chapter on private luxury jets as a strong red flag, Smith includes a chapter on sexual misconduct at Willow Creek (sexual misconduct being a common sub-theme in financial frauds).
He closes with two illustrations of unethical manipulation of best-seller lists evidenced by Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church in Seattle and David Jeremiah in his Florida ministry.
Smith is a good storyteller and the book is an easy read, but very hard to internalize. The hard truth its that the lure of worldly riches will guarantee the problem of fraud will never go away. Smith's book gives us a good roadmap for identifying them, limiting them and avoiding falling prey ourselves.
A very important book well-worth the time.
April 9, 2021
Faith based Fraud.
This book was a lot more in-depth than I for some reason thought it would be. It is a book with a look at fraud in the evangelical church. Like any business you will always get people who take advantage of the weak, venerable and the gullible among us for whatever gain they can. The church is no exception as some may start out with Good intentions and others from day one will charm you into joining a cult, giving away your money, sell your family homes even disown family members just to state a few things. The leaders justify embezzlement, physical and verbal abuse, drive round in Flash cars, own big homes with exquisite art and furnishings and much more. I am not religious, but I do see why some people need something desperately to believe in.
The sad thing is the church has been doing this since day one and I sadly do not see any changes occurring even another decade or so from now, but it a book I suggest maybe you read First before joining any religion and like anything if it is too good to be true it usually is.
I received an advance review copy for free from Wildblue Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 4, 2021
Interesting true crime
Warren Cole Smith pens a faith-based, more like a lack of faith-based story in Faith-Based Fraud. I haven't read work from this author before, and I enjoyed it. This book gives a lot of information about how people look to the credibility of the Church to be restored. It is not an easy thing to maintain faith, when there are the "bad seeds" of the Church that ruin the faith, because of embezzlement of Church funds. The author shares stories of the different types of fraud in the church, from Jim and Tammy Bakker, to Bill Hybels. The author just wants accountability of the Church, and give people back their faith. Faith-Based Fraud is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
Warren Cole Smith pens a faith-based, more like a lack of faith-based story in Faith-Based Fraud. I haven't read work from this author before, and I enjoyed it. This book gives a lot of information about how people look to the credibility of the Church to be restored. It is not an easy thing to maintain faith, when there are the "bad seeds" of the Church that ruin the faith, because of embezzlement of Church funds. The author shares stories of the different types of fraud in the church, from Jim and Tammy Bakker, to Bill Hybels. The author just wants accountability of the Church, and give people back their faith. Faith-Based Fraud is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
August 24, 2023
Truth and consequences
This book just confirms so much of what I have experienced through many years in my Christian life. There are so many frauds
And so many out for money, the corruption runs deep. In my own family I have been the victim of faith based fraud by a so called Faith based Rehab. My son was seeking help for addiction but instead was used by a cultish faith based rehab to make them a little richer. Hope center ministries is a fraud and a scheme they need to be exposed. Thank you for this Book it gives me hope.
This book just confirms so much of what I have experienced through many years in my Christian life. There are so many frauds
And so many out for money, the corruption runs deep. In my own family I have been the victim of faith based fraud by a so called Faith based Rehab. My son was seeking help for addiction but instead was used by a cultish faith based rehab to make them a little richer. Hope center ministries is a fraud and a scheme they need to be exposed. Thank you for this Book it gives me hope.
May 14, 2021
So needed,
In this time of over-stimulus and entertainment we should remember the life of Jesus, humble, gentle, always loving and caring for the least.
We are the enemy by supporting these frauds and we are the ignorant without excuse when we listen to their talks and not compare it to what the Scriptures teach us. Be informed, thanks for this book and for the work of Ministry-Watch.
In this time of over-stimulus and entertainment we should remember the life of Jesus, humble, gentle, always loving and caring for the least.
We are the enemy by supporting these frauds and we are the ignorant without excuse when we listen to their talks and not compare it to what the Scriptures teach us. Be informed, thanks for this book and for the work of Ministry-Watch.
Read
October 10, 2024Mega Churches = Den of Occultists
There are only two types of pastors. Those who serve humbly and sacrificially and those who live it large. It is sad to see churches turned into market places where the Word is turned into a product sold for profits. Jesus would have turned tables upside down. These mega churches are fun by occultists. Who needs a church for Satan when you have these mega churches. Besides they are way more attractive, and draws large crowds. Disgraceful.
There are only two types of pastors. Those who serve humbly and sacrificially and those who live it large. It is sad to see churches turned into market places where the Word is turned into a product sold for profits. Jesus would have turned tables upside down. These mega churches are fun by occultists. Who needs a church for Satan when you have these mega churches. Besides they are way more attractive, and draws large crowds. Disgraceful.
March 29, 2022
Open eyes for open hearts
Smith is discerning as he makes clear that we inside the church are responsible for knowing to what we give and for what that gift goes. It’s not about us but Jesus. Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy Name, be the glory, O Lord.
Smith is discerning as he makes clear that we inside the church are responsible for knowing to what we give and for what that gift goes. It’s not about us but Jesus. Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy Name, be the glory, O Lord.
April 11, 2021
I got this as a e book for my i pad from a publishing company. I enjoyed reading it. As a person that is brought up Catholic I am glad that none of these schemes happened to me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews