Multitudes of sincere and trusting believers are caught in the virtually invisible web of religious captivation in the churches they attend, the ministries they are under, and the 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 on them by unscrupulous, tyrannical church-leaders. Without realizing the spiritual effect of what they are doing, myriads of sincere and faithful followers of Christ, in submitting themselves and surrendering their God-given right to self-governance, or personal autonomy, unto their spiritual leaders, have become "slaves of men" in blatant violation of God's explicit warning against that very thing: "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 the churches and ministries employing it go to great lengths to disguise and conceal it. What makes the pandemic problem even more insidious is that many of the perpetrators and proliferators of these spiritually repressive teachings and techniques are respected, and in some cases, revered spiritual leaders.
Moreover these autocratic systems of religious hegemony are being imposed in church-groups espousing orthodox Christian beliefs, whose memberships are comprised of a cross section of average Americans—individuals and families—of every race, education level, station, status, and vocation, rather than radical, fringe religious sects and cults as many uninformed people would assume.
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 very fabric, foundation, and functions of that branch of the Church in the early- to mid-1970s 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 church-groups yet today!
Indeed, what many Neo-Pentecostals do not understand is that with the emergence of the plethora of "networks" now in existence, there is an invisible web of interrelated organizations that secretly control and direct everything substantive that goes on in the realm of Neo-Pentecostal churches, including "approving" or "blacklisting" ministers and leaders who refuse to submit to the secret "Charismatic chain-of-command." Charismatic Captivation uncovers those secret organizations and reveals their surreptitious, sordid, and self-aggrandizing agenda.
Written from an "insider's" perspective by a noted Charismatic minister who is also a lettered theologian and consulted by the media as an expert on Christian cults, Charismatic Captivation, has been appraised and praised by ministers, scholars, theologians, church leaders, and laymen as one of the most comprehensive as well as convincing volumes written to date on the prevalent problem of authoritarian abuse, yet without the "Charismatic-bashing" in which some other books citing spiritual abuse engage.
Industry Reviews
In more than 50 years of ministry, I have never seen such a unique and comprehensive treatment of this matter....I highly recommend this book to all believers, especially ministers! [Minister among the first to read the book]
This book opened my eyes to spiritual abuse, the way I had been treated in the Church was actually not my fault and all that time I thought I was never spiritual enough. In fact I was OK but others did not like the Lord working in me and were jealous. I thought I was almost evil this book has released me to grow and enjoy my spiritual walk with God. To see the difference between a loving Church and a not so loving Church. A good read for all leaders who want to see God work in their fellowship. [Amazon Review]
After spending 12 years in what proved to be an abusive church, I did a great deal of research to find out about how these churches operate. This book was absolutely key in helping me break the ties and regain my freedom from a very controlling atmosphere. The research Dr. Lambert has done has proven to be very valuable in understanding how these places twist scripture to maintain their control. Understanding how and why these places operate is essential in dealing with the fallout after leaving, and this book really helped with that. Understanding brings light, and light brings freedom. I highly recommend this book. [Amazon Review]
Dr. Lambert does a superb job of cataloging the various types of abuse that have arisen as a result of the Discipleship/Shepherding movement founded in Florida in the 1970's. He traces the path that the leaders and proponents of these heresies have since taken and exposes how deeply these false doctrines have taken root in the church.
He tackles such false teachings as absolute submission to Pastors, spiritual covering, having most decisions confirmed by church leaders, becoming cursed for leaving such a church, and making a covenant to be joined with your Pastor. He doesn't just state that these teachings are unscriptural, and then back it up with double-talk and his own personal opinion. Rather, he opens up the Scriptures and begins to systematically lay out God's will, thus allowing us to see how these teachings do not line up with God's Word. He also maintains a balance between reproving false apostles and shepherds, while encouraging the ministry of true five-fold minsters, as laid out in the New Testament.
He also explores the emotional manipulations and mind control techniques that cults use (psychological enslavement)and reveals the ways that these are used in such churches. Although it may seem that these teachings are marginal within the church, the reality is that this body of false doctrine is spreading throughout many churches worldwide at an alarming rate. There is a new cult springing up within Protestantism that must be stopped, but up until now, there has not been much information on it. This book provides all the ammuniton needed to stop it.
Dr. Lambert also provides a section on recovery for those who have been bewitched by a church or leader who teaches these false doctrines.
I recommend all Christians pick up this book and read it carefully. I'm sure you will encounter teachings that you've heard on TV, read in a popular Christian book, or maybe even heard from your church pulpit. Then you need to decide whether you will continue to disobey the Word of God, or whether you will repent of following these false doctrines and make a clean break from all heresy. [Amazon Review]
