Marketplace Evisceration

Business Reform did an interview with Ed Silvoso (01/07/05) in which Silvoso outlined the new marketplace “kingdom” transformation theology that is being disseminated by the apostolic networks and mission groups. This new theology guts traditional soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), making mincemeat of the Word of God in the process.

In this interview, and elsewhere, Silvoso contends that his new doctrines are transforming Argentina and “the nations.” Working through his organization Harvest Evangelism and other mission entities, Silvoso claims miraculous results as a result of applying the new theologies. Below are a few key quotes from the Business Reform interview:

“The heart of the nation is the marketplace—the combination of business, education and government, the three arteries through which its life flows. If we take God’s power and presence to the marketplace we will see nations changed. . . .

[Editor’s Note: this is Peter Drucker’s 3-legged stool concept of a healthy society.]

“To change a man you must first change his heart. This approach, of course, is typical of missionary organizations. Silvoso’s idea, though, is far more radical. Cities can be changed in nature. Countries can be redeemed. Entire cultures can be brought to “salvation.” The land itself, in fact, can be healed.

“And such a miraculous change is brought about through one primary avenue: God working through the marketplace. . . .

“Silvoso says, Christians working internationally can rely upon four essential paradigms.

“First, as laid out in the Great Commission in the gospels, Christians are called to disciple all nations—not just to pastor a church or lead a ministry. By this, he explains, he means that Christians are to work to bring God’s change to the nation itself, and not simply to change the hearts of individuals.

“Secondly, Silvoso believes that the marketplace itself has been redeemed, . . .” [http://tinyurl.com/akwd2]

The Truth:

This is a dangerous and seductive new gospel. It promises material riches as well as “kingdom transformation.” It replaces traditional one-on-one evangelism based on the Word of God with a new gospel that establishes a “kingdom of God” on earth in a literal and physical sense. It teaches that nations can corporatedly experience “salvation.” The Latter Rain cult doctrines upon which this new gospel is based, teach that paradise can be restored to its Genesis 1 condition, reversing the effects of the Fall. (See 12/12/05 Herescope post.)

These are extreme heresies that eviscerate the Gospel of Salvation, the death of Jesus on the cross, and His shed blood for our sins.

“They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. . . .

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. They forgat God their saviour,. . . “ (Psalm 106: 13-15; 19-21a)