Another night, another cult

 

When I visited Stockholm recently, I actually spotted the Swedish office of the "Universal Church" from the bus and obviously asked the AI about it. Answer in five seconds. Sometimes all that nuclear power is well spent!

What is UCKG Universal Church?

The UCKG (Universal Church of the Kingdom of God) is a large Pentecostal / Neo-Pentecostal Christian denomination that began in Brazil in 1977. In Portuguese it’s called Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (IURD), founded in Rio de Janeiro by Edir Macedo, who later became a billionaire media owner and one of Brazil’s most influential religious figures.

Here are the key points:

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1. Core Identity

• Type: Neo-Pentecostal megachurch.

• Theology: Prosperity gospel, spiritual warfare, deliverance from demons, and faith healing.

• Style: Very charismatic — services are emotional, with loud preaching, exorcisms, and testimonies.

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2. Teachings & Practices

• Prosperity Theology: God blesses true believers with financial success and health. Giving tithes and offerings is emphasized as a way to “unlock” blessings.

• Exorcism / Spiritual Warfare: A central feature. Pastors often perform public exorcisms, “casting out” evil spirits blamed for illness, addiction, poverty, or family problems.

• Faith Healing: Prayer and laying on of hands for healing physical and emotional issues.

• Strict Lifestyle: Members are discouraged from participating in Afro-Brazilian religions (like Candomblé or Umbanda), which the church frames as demonic.

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3. Global Expansion

• Since the 1980s, UCKG has expanded massively, especially in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and North America.

• Today it claims millions of members worldwide in over 100 countries.

• Its headquarters is the colossal Temple of Solomon in São Paulo (inaugurated 2014), built as a modern replica of the biblical temple.

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4. Controversies

• Prosperity gospel critics accuse UCKG of exploiting poor people by urging them to give money in exchange for promises of miracles.

• Exorcism practices have been controversial, sometimes staged in sensational ways.

• Founder Edir Macedo has faced accusations of fraud, money laundering, and abuse of power — though he remains highly influential in Brazilian politics and media.

• Its antagonism toward Afro-Brazilian traditions has drawn strong criticism as religious intolerance.

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5. Sociological Role

• In Brazil, UCKG is not just a church but a cultural and political force.

• It runs TV and radio networks, publishing houses, charities, and has close ties with political parties.

• It represents the new wave of Pentecostalism that blends religion, mass media, and prosperity ideology.

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✅ In short: The UCKG is a Brazilian-born neo-Pentecostal megachurch known for exorcisms, prosperity teaching, and massive global expansion — deeply influential but also highly controversial.

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Would you like me to also compare UCKG’s style with traditional Catholicism and Afro-Brazilian religions, since it defines itself partly against those? 

Gubbhumor

 

Hittade detta på nätet just nu. Vet förstås inte om det är sant, eftersom jag bara träffade Wolmar Holmström två eller tre gånger (på Ortodoxa bokhandeln i Stockholm). Kanske omkring år 2000? Minns att han var med i TV en gång också. I något slags ekumenisk dokumentär om trossamfund i Sverige.

Och apropå ekumenik...

Första gången jag besökte bokhandeln (på jakt efter "Den Ortodoxa Kyrkan" av Kallistos Ware) utspelade sig en "situation" i den lilla lokalen. Wolmar storgrälade med en mycket märklig gubbe. Han såg ut att vara 90+, hade stora stövlar och en gigantisk överrock. Ärligt talat såg han ut att vara hemlös. Gubben skrek något i stil med detta: "Jehova, Jehova kommer att STRAFFA ER på domedagen, ni kommer att BRINNA". Till svar skrek Wolmar "Ut, ut härifrån!!!". Han lyckades på något sätt slänga ut den galne gyben genom dörren (där jag också stod). 

Jag frågade förstås (något chockad) vem i allsin dar gubben var. Var han ett Jehovas Vittne? Som alltså trängt sig in på Ortodoxa Kyrkans bokhandel och öppet hotade föreståndaren med yttersta dagens ljungeldar. Till min stora förvåning svarade Wolmar: "Det där? Nej, nej, det där är en gammal pingstpastor. Vi har känt varandra i 40 år. Han brukar låtsas att vara ett Jehovas Vittne, och jag låtsas att slänga ut honom. Vi brukar kalla det rå men hjärtlig stil".

????!!!!

Det kan man kalla kristen gubbhumor, det.

I brist på nekrolog - reflektioner om Wolmar Holmström

Large Language Model

 

The first video (about Ozzy Osbourne) is extremely infuriating. The second one is about a new trend among charismatic Christians: to speak in tongues and then ask ChatGPT to "translate" it?! Yes, really. Gives an entirely new meaning to the term "Large Language Model"! Ironically, both presenters sound AI-like so there´s that... 

I won´t even tell you what the third video is about. But yeah, chances are that´s just another AI end times deception...

John MacArthur is no longer among us

 

But look what I posted on this blog in 2018 (and on Amazon years earlier)...

Fundamentalist law and order

Amen to autism

 

Some spiritual groups demonize autism. Others sacralize it. This video deals with a third variant: sacralizing autism and other forms of neurodivergence without even knowing what it is! The content-creator Darante´ LaMar is a former charismatic preacher (it shows!) turned atheist. He argues that many "gifts of the Spirit" are really natural psychological abilities, typical of people who are autistic or extremely empathic. 

I previously blogged about the autism-religion interface, and here we go again. Very interesting video, although the brother preaches too much at the end! 

The angel Emma

 

It seems the demonic influence of the Divine Feminine is closer than many Charismatic Christians imagine...muh-hah-hah!

Can you tell me about "the angel Emma" and its connection to American Charismatic Christianity?

The "angel Emma" is a controversial figure that has appeared in some circles of American Charismatic Christianity, particularly among proponents of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and prophetic movements. The story of this angel is most closely associated with Todd Bentley, a Canadian evangelist who gained prominence in the early 2000s.

Background on "the angel Emma":

• Todd Bentley, during his ministry, especially around the time of the Lakeland Revival in Florida (2008), claimed to have regular encounters with angels and other supernatural beings.

• He spoke specifically of an angel named Emma, describing her as appearing in female form and associated with finances, revival, and the prophetic.

• Bentley claimed that Emma was involved in previous revivals and would release anointing for healing and financial blessing.

Controversy and Criticism:

• The idea of an angel named Emma raised serious theological concerns within broader evangelical and Charismatic communities.

• Critics argued that naming and gendering angels in this way goes beyond biblical precedent, where angels are typically unnamed (with a few exceptions like Gabriel and Michael) and are never said to appear as female.

• Some saw it as a form of spiritual sensationalism that detracted from orthodox Christian teachings and potentially opened the door to deception or false spiritual experiences.

• Others questioned whether this was a marketing tactic to generate interest and support for revival events.

Connection to American Charismatic Christianity:

• The angel Emma story is emblematic of certain extreme prophetic practices found in fringe Charismatic or neo-Charismatic groups.

• It reflects the experiential emphasis in many of these movements—where personal encounters with the supernatural are not only accepted but often expected.

• This belief system often includes:

  • Modern-day apostles and prophets

  • An emphasis on spiritual warfare

  • The pursuit of signs and wonders

  • Belief in ongoing revelation from God beyond Scripture

However, it's important to note that not all Charismatic Christians accept or endorse these practices. Many within the mainstream Pentecostal and Charismatic world have distanced themselves from Bentley and similar figures.

Would you like to dive more into the Lakeland Revival, Todd Bentley, or the NAR?

Is there a connection between belief in "angel Emma" and Bob Jones or Paul Cain?

Yes, there is a significant connection between the belief in the "angel Emma" and the prophetic ministries of Bob Jones and Paul Cain, both of whom were influential in shaping parts of the Kansas City Prophets movement—a precursor to what later became the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and broader Charismatic prophetic culture.

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📌 Bob Jones and Paul Cain: Background

• Bob Jones was a prophetic figure associated with the Kansas City Prophets in the 1980s. He was known for having highly mystical, visionary experiences, often involving angels and symbolic dreams.

• Paul Cain was another influential prophetic figure in the same stream, often regarded as a father of the modern prophetic movement. He was known for accurate "words of knowledge" and was linked with movements promoting healing and revival.

Both men heavily influenced figures like Mike Bickle, Rick Joyner, and Todd Bentley—the latter being the one who made "Emma" widely known.

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👼 Angel Emma and Bob Jones

• According to Todd Bentley, Bob Jones was the first person who told him about the angel Emma.

• Bentley claimed that Jones described Emma as an angel who had appeared during past revivals and was associated with prosperity and revelation.

• Bob Jones reportedly referred to Emma as an angel who helped birth movements or bring in finances, and Bentley claimed that Emma appeared to him shortly after Jones mentioned her.

Bentley once said (paraphrased): “Bob Jones told me about this angel Emma, and then I had a visitation. She had long hair, and she came with gold dust and a sense of peace, and miracles followed.”

This was met with significant pushback even within the prophetic movement, particularly due to the gendering of an angel and associating her with financial blessing, which many viewed as unbiblical or sensationalistic.

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🚨 Controversies and Fallout

• Bob Jones and Paul Cain both experienced falls from grace related to moral failings, which further complicated their legacies.

• The angel Emma narrative became a flashpoint for criticism of Charismatic excesses and was cited by those warning against "unmoored spirituality" that prioritized mystical experiences over scriptural grounding.

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So in Summary:

• Bob Jones was the originator (or at least a key transmitter) of the "angel Emma" concept.

• Todd Bentley ran with it, publicizing the name and linking it to his revival meetings and personal angelic encounters.

• Paul Cain’s direct link to Emma is less documented, but he was part of the same prophetic ecosystem that accepted angelic visitations as part of Christian life.

Would you like a timeline of how all this unfolded, or a deeper dive into the Kansas City Prophets’ influence on modern Charismatic movements?

ADDENDUM: 

Is there any direct evidence that Bob Jones believed in the angel Emma, or is this entirely based on Todd Bentley´s testimony?

There is no direct evidence that Bob Jones (the prophetic minister associated with the Kansas City Prophets) ever personally taught or believed in the existence of an angel named Emma. The entire connection between Bob Jones and the so-called Emma angel seems to originate solely from the testimony of Todd Bentley.

Key Points:

• Todd Bentley is the one who publicly claimed to have encountered an angel named Emma.

• Bentley linked Emma to Bob Jones, suggesting that Jones had prior experiences or recognition of this angel.

• However, Bob Jones himself never wrote about, preached about, or confirmed belief in an angel named Emma in any of his publicly available teachings or prophecies.

• Many within the prophetic and charismatic communities have distanced themselves from Bentley's Emma angel story, and it has been a point of controversy.

So, to summarize:
➡️ Yes, the Emma angel narrative is entirely based on Todd Bentley’s testimony.
➡️ No direct, independent statements from Bob Jones confirm this belief.

Would you like a quote or video reference from Todd Bentley's original account for context?

The hallowed spectrum

 

An extremely interesting "discussion about everything" featuring Emerson Green and Jon from the podcast "Christianity on the spectrum". Jon has tried to get to the bottom of the question "Are autists more likely to be atheists" and the answer seems to be "yes". But why? The idea that autists lack a theory of mind and therefore can´t understand religion and spirituality (i.e. the minds of invisible gods) seems intuitively true, but Jon believes its much more complicated. 

After all, not all religious traditions are the same. Indeed, Jon´s research suggests that autists who are Christian gravitate towards liturgical and ritualist forms of religiosity, while shunning more emotionalist and spontaneous versions. Which makes perfect sense. It also turns out that many Christian autists are preoccupied with doctrinal orthodoxy. Perhaps because they can´t stand ambiguity and inconsistency?

So why do many autists de-convert and become atheists? The main reason seems to be precisely that they find themselves unable to uphold orthodoxy due to Bible contradictions or illogical theology. The cognitive dissonance becomes too great. However, there does seem to be another more sinister reason: Christian fundamentalists are often uncomprehending or downright hostile to autists. Children on the spectrum may be subject to exorcisms to cast out their "demons". In general, these groups tend to shun people with real or perceived mental health issues. There are theologians who argue that the "image of God in man" includes having a complex theory of mind - precisely what autists lack. One theologian even referred to the state of non-belief as "spiritual autism"!

Yet another factor could be that many autists are...ahem...a bit weird. And many Christian groups don´t tolerate weirdness (or *this* kind of weirdness). Thus, many autists have gender dysphoria and identify as trans or non-binary. Jon was at one point invited onto a Christian autists´ forum and soon realized that he was the only person there who *wasn´t* a Furry?!  

Jon also discusses the phenomenon of "autistic" influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms. They don´t know squat about autism and broaden the definition to include as many people as possible. These groups are usually Woke and exclude people with the wrong opinions. Jon himself is diagnosed with "autism 1" (what used to be called Asperger´s or high-functioning autism), suffered from gender dysphoria as a teenager, and left Christianity for atheism. Later, he re-converted. He has worked for the US military and is presumably more conservative in orientation.

I´ve heard of many of these things before, so it was nice to get them confirmed. One thing I didn´t know about was that some Christian theologians define "the image of God" or "communion with God" in such a way that people with autistic traits are excluded. I mean, that´s...wild.

Recommended. Although Jon, as a typical "aspie", talks too much!      

Deity cult or Satan´s generals?

 

Two videos about William Branham, an American Pentecostal preacher who some followers believe was "God come in the flesh". But sure, the more moderate faction says that he was "only" a new Elijah and hence the harbinger of the Lord´s second coming. Branham was at the very least an infallible prophet and his words are therefore God´s words. Or the Word of God? When Branham died in a car accident, a competing charismatic leader said that God had taken "the prophet" home to stop him from spreading heresy!

Branham´s teaching (The Message) isn´t always easy to follow and may even have been contradictory. Anti-Trinitarianism, "Jesus Only" and the Serpent Seed doctrine (!) were some of the staples. Another was the idea that hell isn´t eternal and that its denizens will eventually be annihilated completely (although it may take a very long time). Branham still has millions of followers, including in Africa and Latin America. However, the clips above say almost nothing about his movement, which I assume is badly split between different groups. 

There may be *some* kind of connection between The Message and the NAR, but I haven´t gotten that far yet in my current studies...

På (typ) förekommen anledning

 

Den egyptiska gudinnan Isis välsignar tempelriddare för att befria Förenta Staterna från galningen Donald Trump, som vill införa sommartid året om! Unik bild.  

Worse than Doreen Virtue?

 

I never heard of Becca Greenwood before, but this is...wild. A female Charismatic Christian preacher claims that one of the main demonic influences is a goddess?! Known as the Queen of Heaven, she is behind abortion, feminism, the Knights Templar, trafficking, Nazism and "the present chaos in America". The Queen has many names: Astarte, Asera and, I suppose, Ishtar. Lilith is one of her minions. Or perhaps they are identical? Lilith appeared to the founder of Planned Parenthood, und so weiter. 

In the clip above, Greenwood is conversing with Sid Roth, a rather extreme Charismatic televangelist (see previous blog post).  

It´s supernatural!

 

Maybe this should be banned outright? And yes, I asked the AI to give me some information on this particular televangelist, who seems very "far out". Not surprised that he appeals to Charismatic Christians! 

Can you tell me about the American televangelist Sid Roth? What church or denomination is he affiliated with (if any)?

Sid Roth is an American televangelist, author, and host of the television program It's Supernatural!, which focuses on miracles, divine encounters, and supernatural experiences from a Christian perspective. Roth is known for promoting Messianic Judaism, which is a movement that combines elements of Christianity and Jewish traditions, emphasizing belief in Jesus (Yeshua) as the Jewish Messiah.

Denominational Affiliation

Sid Roth is not formally affiliated with a specific Christian denomination, but he is closely associated with the Messianic Jewish movement. Messianic Judaism is not a traditional Christian denomination but rather a movement that seeks to maintain Jewish identity while embracing Jesus as the Messiah. Roth himself is Jewish by birth and converted to Christianity in the 1970s after a personal spiritual experience.

His ministry often collaborates with charismatic and Pentecostal Christians, as well as Messianic Jewish leaders. His teachings emphasize spiritual gifts, divine healing, prophecy, and encounters with the supernatural.

Would you like more details on his background or ministry?

Yes, thank you.

You're welcome! Here’s a deeper look into Sid Roth’s background, ministry, and influence:

Background and Conversion

Sid Roth was born into a Jewish family and raised in a traditional Jewish household. As a young adult, he pursued a career in business but later found himself struggling with personal and spiritual dissatisfaction. In the 1970s, Roth became involved in New Age practices and the occult, searching for deeper meaning in life. However, after experiencing what he describes as a powerful encounter with Jesus (Yeshua), he converted to Christianity. This transformation led him to dedicate his life to sharing his belief in Jesus, particularly with other Jewish people.

Ministry and It's Supernatural! Television Show

Sid Roth founded Messianic Vision, a ministry focused on evangelizing Jewish people and spreading the message of Jesus through supernatural testimonies. He later launched It's Supernatural!, a television program where he interviews guests who claim to have experienced miracles, healings, encounters with angels, or prophetic visions. The show appeals primarily to charismatic and Pentecostal Christians, as well as Messianic Jews, and has gained a large international following.

Key Beliefs and Teachings

• Messianic Judaism – Roth believes that Jewish people should recognize Jesus as the Messiah while maintaining aspects of their Jewish identity.

• Supernatural Encounters – He frequently discusses miracles, divine healings, and prophetic experiences.

• End Times and Prophecy – Roth often explores biblical prophecy and the role of Israel in the end times.

• Spiritual Gifts – His ministry embraces charismatic beliefs, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, and faith healing.

Influence and Reach

Roth’s ministry has a global reach through television, radio, books, and online platforms. His show airs on networks like TBN, Daystar, and various Christian channels. He has also authored books on the supernatural and evangelism.

Would you like insights into any specific aspect of his work or teachings? 

Hypermentalization

An interesting clip about glossolalia (speaking in tongues), usually associated with charismatic Christian denominations. TL/DR: They may be crazy, but not *that* crazy. 

Holy koolaid or shock therapy?

 

Is this some kind of shock therapy? The YouTube channel "Holy Koolaid" attacks and exposes fake faith healers (that is, faith healers). Some of this stuff is *very* disturbing!

The only fun moment is when a guy who is being exorcised of demons gets a call on his mobile in the middle of the ritual. The pastor, quite understandably, gets really angry...or not so understandably, if he too is a shyster. 

Otherwise...I advise discretion from the point of the viewer.  

Corinthians

 

Two short but interesting YouTube clips featuring Joshua from "Ready for Harvest", in which he tries to sort out the differences between Pentecostals and charismatics. I always used the terms interchangeably, but it seems that´s an over-simplification. On the other hand, the differences and/or similarities are somewhat hard to pin down! 

The most obvious difference is chronological: the Pentecostals are older (think circa 1900). The charismatics emerged during the 1970´s, often inside established non-charismatic denominations. Those who broke away to form separate charismatic denominations are sometimes refered to as "neo-charismatics". 

I also get the impression that while the Pentecostals seem more theologically united (apparently the typical position is a somewhat peculiar Baptist/Methodist mix plus "spirit baptism"), the latter-day charismatics are more heterogeneous in both theology and worship style. For some reason, Joshua doesn´t mention the combination of prosperity gospel and charismatic Christianity...or is that yet another distinct "wave"?

Make of this material what you wish. 

Tax exemption

 

 I never heard of Marjoe Gortner before. He was apparently "ordained" as a preacher back in 1948 at the age of four - the youngest person ever to get such a position. 

In 1972, Marjoe (as he was always known) released an eponymous documentary in which he exposed the entire charismatic movement as a bunch of frauds. He then morphed into a B-movie actor, circus performer, and so on. He is apparently still alive. 

Both uploads above feature clips from "Marjoe". The first is commented by a former Jehovah´s Witness. Scams of this kind seems incredibly common.   

When did the Church become Amway?

 

Sometimes even Doreen Virtue makes interesting content. This time about MLM, including its connection to charismatic Christianity. It seems all MLMs operate in pretty much the same way, make up pretty much the same claims, and have the same detrimental results for most of the participants. I didn´t know about the (presumably informal) connections to New Thought and the prosperity gospel, but it doesn´t surprise me either. After all, the underlying ideas seem to be the same: a kind of "magical thinking" about success and how to reach it, the cultic mentality, and so on. Obviously, the entire basis for these things is American capitalism and/or culture. 

In the one-hour video, Virtue speaks with two former merchandizers of "Amway", an old MLM business in the United States (and accused of being a cult for decades by critics). The couple were also involved in the Word of Faith movement. They discuss how Amway really operates backstage, and how certain Christian groups try to recruit people through the MLM milieu. 

As I said, could be of some interest. 

Soy and Funko Pops

 

Eastern Orthodox lay theologian and conspiracy theorist Jay Dyer (the party-clad dude in the lower right corner) discusses "deconstruction" with another Orthobro, who goes by COTEL. 

I assumed "deconstruction" was simply a pretentious term for "leaving the Christian faith to become an atheist", but it seems the rabbit hole goes deeper. For instance, many of the deconstructionists don´t become atheists at all, but rather emerge (pun intended) as liberal-Woke Christians. There are connections to the good ol´ Emergent Church. More strangely, one of the leading deconstructionists is a Mormon?!

During the conversation, Dyer and COTEL claims that the LDS Church accepts homosexuality and trans-humanism. And, I suppose, Funko Pops. Is this really true?

The term "deconstructionism" itself obviously comes from postmodernism, and it seems there *is* a connection to this particular mind-virus. Dyer (of course) also believes that there is a vast conspiracy going on, involving pretty much everyone from the CIA and the Jesus People to George Soros and Vineyard. Make of *that* what you wish.

Could be of some interest.     

Weird

 

A somewhat weird criticism of J D Vance, Donald Trump´s running mate. From our mate Henri Jolicoeur´s YouTube channel.  

Mentalt efterbliven

 

Testa New Age nu och skriv om det, ha ha. 

Skevt att de nykristna trivs i sin oskadade tro

Hey dude, don´t be so rude

 

Misguided ex-Muslim becomes charismatic Christian, claims that Muhammad got his revelations from the Devil himself since the angel Gabriel was rough to the future prophet?!

But that logic, Jesus was a demoniac since he was rough to Paul on Damascus road. Or how about Yahweh wanting to kill Moses?

Presumably, the mass murder carried out by the Angel of Death in Egypt is completely unproblematic, then? After all, Yahweh´s enforcer only killed sinners!