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What is Gene Edwards really about? I Googled him, and he seems both loved and hated. Here are a few examples:
"Take a look at the newest book by Gene Edwards. It is titled The Christian Woman... Set Free. It is like no other book ever written on the equality of women..."
"Gene Edwards is a phenomenon, a figurehead, a legend. His impact on Christians outside of the institutional church system, especially in the United States..."
"This web page introduces a series of essays critiquing the devastating teachings and uniblical practices of the church planter, Gene Edwards..."
"First, you would do well to mind your own business and not criticize whole movements, people, and particularly individuals like Gene Edwards..."
These were all hits on the first page. Laurie Ann, are you, D Anderson, or JeanneH acquainted with any works from this man or these men (who also seem to be part of this man's ministry): Tom Begier, Tim Richey, Nick Vasiliades, and Frank Viola.
He has referred to himself as the father of the house church movement and claims to have read every book ever written on church history. Also considers himself one of the few real church planters around.
Gene's authored a number of books, himself. He's quite brash and plays hard ball, I must add. In the above case, he threatened the owner (one David Miller) of a geneedwards url with a lawsuit that would take everything he owned. Gene, however, did not prevail in court.
Several years ago, Gene spoke at a house church conference and later published an entire book against the promoters of the conference. Frank Viola, who co-authored that book, is no longer associated with him as far as I know, but Gene's ideas are quite prevalent in Viola's writings.
Most like or dislike him with a passion. He may have supporters in this Cafe, even as we speak. Perhaps they can offer their opinions, too. Check out his site and get his books via library loan if you don't want to buy them.
Prove all things - hold fast to that which is good. Call no man master.
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Wow, I haven't heard that name in a long while. A gifted writer. He has an amazing imagination. He can bring the Early Church seemingly to life in his writings. A firm believer in house church, but only his way it seems. I have met and known some people that were close to him, and were part of his church "experiments." There seems to be not a little megalomania mixed in as well. He failed at planting a church up here in Quebec city. He thinks he is a super-apostle and that only he has the key to restoring the faith and practice of the early church. He believes he is unique in gifting and is able to train other apostles. If only we would see things his way! Frank Viola was taken under his wing for a while until a scandal took place in Florida, I believe.
He appears to be an example of a gifted person who went off the deep end. He is a tinkerer. He doesn't believe that anyone in modern times is qualified to an elder, if I remember correctly. Yet, wouldn't qualified apostles be more rare than qualified elders? Go figure! The people I knew were devastated by him and felt used. His moods apparently controled any meeting he attended.
I have trouble with the whole "church-planting" thing, as well as extra-local apostle ministries with no accountability to the local churches. I have a reverse view in that the local house churches, as they grow in faith and experience, would produce solidly spiritual men and loan them out to help and encourage others. And this apart from tax-exempt man-made ministries. I'm talking on a brotherly level. Gene Edwards believes in "patterns." He believes that an apostle must come before the establishment of any church. Otherwise, we are out of "order." He is more of a concerned yet opinionated social scientist than an apostle in my view. Being a good writer who is popular enough to sell a lot of books doesn't equal Biblical authority. Or does it?
I had already read some of what you posted, on the internet. Every book huh? He must be really well read. I wonder how many languages he can read in? I have a question... What is a fake church planter? I also found what you claim, that most folks like or dislike him with a passion, to be true. I read one thing about an interview with Benny Hinn (who, for the record, used to annoy me). They (Mr. Hinn and Mr. Edwards) talked about one of Mr. Edwards books. It turned out that the author of the article I was reading, had not read the book in question, so I stopped reading.
By "hard ball" are you speaking of the attempted arbitration with the WIPO, which "is a specialized agency of the United Nations." Do you know what he was seeking besides the domain name geneedwards.org? By the way, I just went there. Something must have happened, because it is now his! What's up?
In all fairness, I think I would find it offensive if someone used my own name to bash me. Was he seeking damages, or just his name back? Boy, I'm glad I'm not famous!
I also read something about the conference bashing thing, but they mentioned no book. I do find this incident, and now this book, quite disturbing. It seems he must have decided he was the only one there that had anything worthwhile to say. If that it true, he must be quite out of touch with The Lord.
Thanks for all of the input. Please let me know if you can find out how much he was trying to get for damages in the arbitration case.
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I have really liked what I've read in book form by Edwards, and have been a bit wondering about some stuff I've seen on the net.
His allegorical fiction is well worth reading.
He was way ahead of the curve on leaving Legacy Church, and some of his writings have been instrumental in many people seeking more from God. I was especially inspired by the concept of the "Torch of the Testimony", the idea that there has always been a parallel work of God going on in addition to the institutions.
Like many who left IC a long time ago, I think he may have gotten a bit stuck in the "anti" movement so much that he may be missing how ready people are, now, for an even more radical New Testament Church than we were, say, 20 years ago. Likewise with Viola. He is stuck preaching to the past. Alright, already, let's just get out there and model the real thing instead of arguing about the old thing!
Edwards' reprinting of important works on the deeper life, such as Jeanne Guyon, have been wonderful additions to people seeking the Spirit-led life.
Wow, John, I think the whole apostle thing certainly deserves a whole topic of its own!
There's so much there... working in a church-saturated, un-hospitality oriented society makes it hard for me to get my mind around what apostolic ministry should look like, here. And yet there is a very obvious need for the simple preaching of the gospel to people who think they already know it - just like the Jews of Jesus' day thought they already knew it...
quote:Laurie Ann said: I think he may have gotten a bit stuck in the "anti" movement so much that he may be missing how ready people are, now, for an even more radical New Testament Church than we were, say, 20 years ago. Likewise with Viola. He is stuck preaching to the past. Alright, already, let's just get out there and model the real thing instead of arguing about the old thing!
Then may I ask you this question Laurie Ann? What, or maybe where do you see The Church going? Can you hit me with some of this "even more radical New Testament Church" you are talking about?
Also, I tried reading some of his stuff about the eight "disciples" of Paul. There was so much speculation and conjecture, I just had to stop. Maybe his fiction would be really good. He did seem to be quite eloquent. Any title suggestions?
Just to let you know, Matt, that I'll try to find the documentation pertaining to those damages asap and get back with you. The info, I think, was from a letter by David Miller on the site which he later gave to Gene, voluntarily - geneedwards.org.
The book I mentioned was published by Gene Edwards, but was supposedly written by the four guys you mentioned in your first post: Tom Begier, Tim Richey, Nick Vasiliades, and Frank Viola.
The House Church Movement - Which Direction?
I spoke to the Conference planner, Steve Atkerson, and he confirmed that the book was directed particularly to him and the other planners.
Anyone know what happened to David Miller? Beverly Hills, FL, I recall.
Also, I am going to stick this post under the house church history section and create a separate post about the "anti-movement" theme. No posts will be lost and anyone can continue with either or both themes. Hope it's OK to split it. This is important data, methinks. Also, look for a new "apostles" thread in the "recent posts." Thanks LA and John for highlighting this theme.
Matt, are you absolutely sure you're not famous? I bet you're really Tom Cruise, planted here to recruit more wealthy people for Scientology... LOL.
quote:D Anderson asked: Matt, are you absolutely sure you're not famous? I bet you're really Tom Cruise, planted here to recruit more wealthy people for Scientology... LOL.
MAN! Busted! Actually, I'm not famous. I'm not even infamous, and that's not that hard there days. Wait, are you wealthy? I have this really sick dog that needs about $100,000,000,005.10 in medical treatment. Can you help defray the cost? NOTE: My computer seems to have a sticking 0.
I'll tell you what I am though. Curious. And since you brought Scientology up, have you heard about Anonymous and their "attack" on Scientology? I know this is way off topic, but the only things I could find are the YouTube videos, and some mention that at least one "Anonymous" fellow was arrested. Have they attacked any other "religion"?
Also, why Scientology? Do you understand what their beef is with the Scientology people? Have they threatened anyone else or done anything else?
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I have a question... What is a fake church planter? ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I also found what you claim, that most folks like or dislike him with a passion, to be true. 
