Whether we should be or not, it is a fact that many of us have been listening to the programming of Family RadioE, a professedly Christian network of forty-one stations throughout the U.S.A. and on short-wave and the Internet.
Recently, Harold Camping, the President and General Manager of Family RadioE has been teaching that the church age is over and that the work of evangelism has been given to institutions such as his network. He also has been teaching that believers should “depart out” of their churches, that the Lord’s supper is a thing of the past, not to be celebrated, and that pastors and deacons no longer can function.
His forceful teaching, which contains elements of truth, is propagated about twenty-five hours a week, and his skewed, convoluted and wicked doctrines are promoted in free books offered throughout the day. Unfortunately, he has a very loyal following of real believers who are being deceived by his teaching.
To put things in perspective, he is the “false prophet” who wrote a book dogmatically stating that the end of the world would come in September 1994. He explained and justified his colossal error by citing Jonah’s preaching: “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
I feel compelled to warn the beloved saints against Mr. Camping’s false teachings, and I strongly suggest turning him and his network off in your household. “Take heed what ye hear” was the Lord’s advice when He was here on earth.
Mr. Camping also teaches the wicked doctrine of reprobation (that God chose some to be lost) and that the Lord went to the cross with our sins upon Him. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)).
He further denies the biblical doctrine of propitiation and limits John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) to the elect. Confounding Israel and the church, it is not surprising that he also denies any future blessing or restoration for the nation of Israel, thus robbing the Lord Jesus of the joy pictured in Genesis 45, when Joseph’s brethren were reconciled to him—as well as the wonderful time prophesied in Zechariah 12-13.
Despite some very good material being broadcast, Family RadioE is systematically eliminating any programs which counter Mr. Camping’s errors (such as the Pacific Garden Mission’s true story series of conversions to Christ— “Unshackled!”). Even hymns referring to the church are being eliminated.
For these reasons, I lovingly urge my dear brethren not to listen to or financially support Family RadioE. Further, let’s pray for the many employees of this network that are confused as to the path the Lord would have them follow. May the Lord, in His own perfect way, show the folly of this wicked teaching and bring an “acknowledging of the truth” (2 Tim. 2:2525In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:25)).
R. K. Gorgas (May 2002)