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Unless otherwise specified, all links were accessed in the summer of 2025
Also See Tithing
Index
Introduction - Entertainment - the new way of 'doing church'. Amusing the masses under the guise of 'worship services'.
Chapter 1: The Investigation: Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Paula White, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer and Eddie Long
Chapter 2: Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick
Chapter 3: Ed Young, Kevin Gerald, Joseph Prince
Chapter 4: T.D. Jakes, John Hagee, Fred Price, Jesse Duplantis, Juanita Bynum
Chapter 5: Franklin Graham, Rodney Howard-Browne, Marcus and Joni, Lamb, Wendy and Casey Treat
Dean Curry, Chris Hodges, Brian Houston (Hillsong), Tim Timberlake, John Gray, Jentezen Franklin, Johnny Hunt, James MacDonald, Mark Driscoll.
Chapter 6: Jordan and Jordan.
Chapter 7: Others - Here and Abroad
Chapter 8: Conclusion - Where Did The Idea That Ministers Should Live Modestly Come From?
What Should Pastors Make And Should His Salary Be Kept From His Congregation? And more
ON THIS PAGE
Emphasis Mine In Bible Verses
Ed Young, Kevin Gerald and Joseph Prince
Ed Young ( March 16, 1961)
Ed Young, son of Dr. Ed Young senior pastor at Second Baptist Church in Houston, calls himself pastor of his Dallas church but far more resembles a beginning-to-age man about town keen to appear as fun, fashionable, and as modern as possible.
If you visit Ed Young's blog (http://edyoungblog.com) the first thing you see are the words "Ed Young Pastor of  Fellowship Church" against a very large picture of him (on the right)- not in any church or even vaguely religious setting, but in shorts on a boat. His web site (http://edyoung.com) used to open with two pictures of himself followed by Ed Young Designs (socks, T-shirts and caps) which still exists at edyoungdesigns.com/.
In other words, it's all about Ed Young.
While it is not necessary for any pastor to be a doddering old man with a sense of fashion to match, Ed Young - an apparently unabashed hedonist takes the cake in many ways. Let's begin with his hair transplant.
Hair Restoration:
Young had a hair transplant at the Alvi Armani clinic in Beverly Hills HERE)
Hair restoration is certainly not cheap. I came across a blog on which someone looking into the procedure stated that the price for "2000-2500 follicular units" which would give the person "a full hairline with temple closure and complete coverage in zone 2 for a full look" was 24k which included all medications, follow up appointments and surgical room costs. However, if he signed up in July or August the price would drop to 15k. [01]
"Faith and Fashion Intersect"
Apparently, Ed Young thinks they should. A few years ago Young started a web site called PastorFashion.com that said it ... (Emphasis Added)
is designed to have some fun with fashion and put it in its proper perspective its a relevant tool in reaching the world with the hope and love of Jesus. This is a place where pastors (and anyone who shares that perspective) can get some tips on what to wear, how to wear it, and when to wear it. But the ultimate question isnt "what," "how" or "when?" It's "Who?" Our fascination with fashion is really just a microcosm of our desire to be clothed in the ultimate designer - Jesus Christ.
Note however, the site is no longer active.
 Italian La Marzocco Espresso Machine
Young has also posted a Youtube video on how to make an espresso (not necessarily a perfect one). [03] In his lesson he uses a commercial La Marzocco espresso machine. La Marzocco based in Florence, Italy, specializes in producing high end, hand-crafted professional espresso coffee machines with prices to match.
This particular one owned by Ed Young looks like their Linea 2 group priced between $12,370.00 and $22,085.00 [04]
Promotional Antics?
a 24-hour "bed in" on the roof of his Dallas church when he and his wife spent 24 hours in a bed - on the roof of Fellowship Church. This happened in 2012 to discuss his new book, Sexperiment which he wrote after challenging married couples in his congregation to strengthen their marriages through seven days of sex. Whether or not it this was planned to be a gimmick to heighten interest in the book, that is exactly what it did. Sexperiment vaulted into the bestseller list on Amazon for an entire day. [05]
Lifestyle
An excerpt from an article in the Dallas Morning News reads (The article is worth reading in its entirety).
In 2010, WFAA-TV (Channel 8) aired reports on Young's finances and travels after investigating what an anonymous former staffer called the minister's "lavish lifestyle that keeps increasing," including the use of a private jet, a $1.5 million estate on Grapevine Lake (now sold) and a $1.1 million luxury condominium in Miami. Reporter Brett Shipp cited unnamed sources who put the pastor's salary at $1 million and said records revealed Young was paid an annual housing allowance of $240,000....
Young says his salary is set by the church's independent compensation committee in accordance with industry standards, that he uses a private jet leased by the church because it is simply more practical with his unyielding travel schedule and that he reimburses the church for any personal trips. [06]
According to the Trinity Foundation
Ed and Lisa Young have lived lavishly in a long series of multi-million-dollar mansions hidden from their congregations and public view under various trusts. For example, at one point in 2019, the couple owned three houses simultaneously, with ownership of each cleverly hidden in the Mangrove Revocable Trust:
10104 Lennox Ln, Dallas, TX 75229, currently estimated to be worth $5,216,106 according to the real estate site Redfin;
8414 Swananoah Rd, Dallas, TX 75209, estimated to be worth $3,595,498 according to Redfin; and a beach house in the Florida Keys at 180 Sunrise Dr, Tavernier, FL 33070, which the Youngs sold for $5.5 million in 2021. [07]
Lennox Lane, Dallas
The web site homes.com describes Young's 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath 7,027 square foot house on an acre of land in Lennox Lane in Dallas as  "elegant and beautifully appointed". Valued at just over $5 million,
This classic estate exudes true character and charm. From the gated entry through the stunning wrought iron and glass doors this magnificent home is dazzling! Attention to every architectural detail and designer finishes create this exceptional home. Towering trees and mature landscape frame the property offering privacy and a park-like setting. The main foyer opens to a light filled living area with high ceilings, exquisite moldings, a great canvas for displaying art. The backyard is captivating with a sparkling pool, spa & water falls. A cabana with a full bathroom and the loggia complete with a built-in kitchen and dining area. Timeless! [08]
Swananoah Rd, Dallas
In 2013 the Dallas published a photograph of Pastor Ed Young and his wife, Lisa out side their home at 8414 Swananoah Rd. in the Bluffview Estates subdivision of Dallas [09]
Described as
Stunning gated Bluffview estate, with Mediterranean and contemporary flare ... comfortable flow, high ceilings, customized finish outs and oversized rooms... multiple indoor and outdoor living rooms, game room, pool etc.
5 bedrooms, 5.1 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, gourmet kitchen, game room, 1 downstairs office, 1 upstairs office, and a serene outdoor entertaining area with a resort like pool, all on almost a half an acre.
More photographs HERE
He attempts to justify his lifestyle by saying they are not "the ones with the baggage" and claims that the "puritanical bias that ministers must live modestly "stems from monasticism". "It was popularized in the Catholic church". This is a patently false statement. See Chapter VIII - Conclusion of this article. [10]
Church at Highland Park
It is no wonder that with his expensive tastes, Ed Young is said to have come up with the idea to launch Fellowship Park Cities in Highland Park Village in Dallas after spending time at the busy Starbucks there that as he expressed it "teems daily with affluent types from Highland Park and University Park, and the parking spots around the coffee house are heavy on the Bentleys, Porsches and spotless Suburbans"...
Young wears a black hoodie with shiny zippers, snug rust-colored pants and chunky lace-up black boots. Later that morning, for the 11:30 service at the mother church, he will don a new outfit: blue oxford button-down, plaid vest, jeans cuffed at the ankles and wing-tips with no socks. (One of Young's side projects is a blog he started, called pastorfashion.com.) [11]
Highland Park
Justifiably known as a wealthy enclave that's becoming seemingly wealthier all the time, it's the small-town charms and some of the best public schools in the state that draw residents to its leafy avenues lined by impressively sized houses. [12]
See Ed Young's and Joel Osteen's love fest. HERE
End Notes - Ed Young
[01] https://www.baldtruthtalk.com/threads/13127-My-quote-with-Dr-Armani
[02] http://pastorfashion.com/posts/P30
[03] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6z7Merz618
[04] http://international.lamarzocco.com/en/
[05] Matthew Lee Anderson. The Trouble with Ed Young's Rooftop Sexperiment. CHristianity Today.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/januaryweb-only/ed-young-sexperiment.html
[06] Christopher Wynn. Dear God: Is Dallas society ready for Fellowship Church's sex-loving, million-dollar minister? Published December 12, 2013. http://res.dallasnews.com/interactives/2013_December/pastored/
[07] A Story of Power, Deceit, and Betrayal at Second Baptist Church: Members File Court Petition, Try to Save Churchs Legacy. https://trinityfi.org/investigations/a-story-of-power-deceit-and-betrayal-at-second-baptist-church-members-file-court-petition-try-to-save-churchs-legacy/
[08] https://www.homes.com/property/10104-lennox-ln-dallas-tx/32pgdv481zfvx/
[09] Christopher Wynn. Dear God: Is Dallas society ready for Fellowship Church's sex-loving, million-dollar minister? Published December 12, 2013. http://res.dallasnews.com/interactives/2013_December/pastored/
[10] ibid.
[11] ibid.
[12] Dallas Neighbourhood Guide. https://neighborhoods.dmagazine.com/dallas/park-cities/highland-park/
Kevin Gerald
Kevin Gerald is founder and senior pastor of one of the largest non-denominational congregations in the Pacific Northwest and one of the five Board of Overseers who set Steven Furtick's salary. 
Four Church Locations - (Two?) Homes
The church Kevin Gerald leads used to be called Covenant Celebration Church but has been re-named "Champions Centre". It has four locations - Tacoma, Bellevue and Du Pont in Western Washington and Yakima in E. Washington
When this article was first written Kevin Gerald had two homes...
1) A luxurious custom built 4 bedroom, 4.75 bath home in Puyallup WA. just 20 minutes away from the Tacoma "Champions Center". It was bought in 2016 and is valued at slightly over a million - the taxes are close to $ 12,000 per annum. The house has a stunning views of the Cascade Range including Mt Rainier with Orting Valley in between. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with a jetted tub, private deck, and an attached sitting area with a gas fireplace. The Basement boasts a large media room and an exercise room. (The photographs on the right are stock real estate pictures)
2.) His other home was in the classy Bellevue Pacific Tower (pictured on the left)- a high-rise condominium building in the downtown area. It boasts 171 units on 24 floors, a 6,000+ square foot health club, sauna, hot tub, heated indoor pool, club room, and roof top garden terrace and a 24-hour concierge service. [01].
At the time a 2 bedroom/ 2 bath condominium rented for about $3500 a month. The purchase prices ranged from $899,000 (2 bdrm) to a 3048 sq. feet, 4 bdrm place prices at $3,299.950.
Financial Transparency
Sarah Leann Young, author of Church Check has a page on Champions Centre in Yakima (2021). The article is well worth reading. Among much else she says this regarding Yakima's Champions Centers financial transparency. She says she
contacted Champions Centre and asked about financial transparency. They were very responsive to my query until I actually popped the question, and it has now been a few weeks since I asked. Ive sent the same questions to three different people at Champions Centre, and they were all responsive until I asked the question. See the Questionnaire for the screen shots of my email to someone in their accounts receivable department.
As you will see, I have an extension on my Gmail that shows when email recipients have opened my emails. This particular person opened my last follow-up email twice on the same day that I sent it, and then it was opened at least 20 more times after that. And yet, no response to this day. I continue to follow up and ask if my question will be answered, but have yet to receive a response regarding finances, whether there is a board of elders/leadership team, and about church membership.
Sarah adds
former members of CCs churches have also come out and informed us they are not really financially transparent with members. One former staff member of a church that was absorbed by Champions Centre had this to say about financial transparency in the church: ...None whatsoever. You get a pie chart, but theres no audit and no open door to see where the money goes. Cars, houses, salary, church credit card, all hidden from the congregation. A lack of transparency is an obvious red flag of financial abuse, exploitation, and opportunism. Donors have the right to see the impact of their donation, as well as how its spent. Whether its a church or any other charitable organization.
And there is more - much more.  HERE
Books
It Takes A Team
The Champions Center web site has little to no information on it other than major events and a plug for what I assume is is Geralds latest book "It Takes A Team" that turns loosely connected groups into unified teams. (https://www.kevingerald.com/)
Seeing Your Life Through The Lens Of God's Favor
A previous book Good things: Seeing Your Life Through The Lens Of God's Favor is describes thus on Amazon (Emphasis Added)
The reality is God isnt obligated to provide good things for us - but He wants to! This is your opportunity to adopt a favor-minded mentality and realize that Gods favor, like His grace, is unearned, limitless, and never-ending. And, its for us! was endorsed by
Because it echoes everything they believe and teach it is hardly surprising that it is endorsed by (among others),
Steven Furtick of Elevation (above),
Dr. Ed Young, senior pastor, Second Baptist Church, Houston
'Success Coach Dave Martin' (on the board of Joel Osteen's Champion's Network. See above),
Ed Young - senior pastor Fellowship Church (also above),
Chris Hodges, the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham - Alabama's largest church. In May 2018, Hodges was hosted on TBN by Matt & Laurie Crouch.
Marcus D. Lamb - Daystar Television Network. .
The Year of The Lord's Favor - A Lesson on How To Manipulate Scripture.
Here is an example of how a momentous announcement made by Jesus can be made to seem that He was saying something He was not. Chapter three of Kevin Geralds book Good things: Seeing Your Life Through The Lens Of God's Favor opens with the words
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me...
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Luke 4:18-19
He then adds that in the synagogue that morning, Jesus read a quotation from the prophet Isaiah that he believes "clearly defined his mission and assignment on earth". He goes on to say that "most success coaches recommend that if you want to succeed in life, you need a mission statement" and although Jesus did come to "save the lost" and He came to "give abundant life", proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor was the umbrella over it all. In fact, it was Jesus' "one big, inclusive but clear and very specific mission statement ...". Gerald then re-quotes Luke 4:18-19.
There is one problem. Kevin left out most of Jesus said. Here is what the Lord said in its entirety in Luke 4:18-19. Note He said nothing about "abundant life".
"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release (Gr. aphesis) to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free (Gr. aphesis) those who are oppressed, (19) to proclaim the favorable year of the lord." (Luke 4:18-19 NASB)
Eliminating much of Jesus statement made it seem that proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor was the primary reason Jesus said He was anointed and sent to earth. Yet, the very first point the Savior made was that He was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor. This was followed by release for captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and the setting free those who are oppressed. Only then did He mention proclaiming the favorable year of the Lord.
Mission Statement?
Actually, there was something else that Jesus said which He repeated many times. It was summarized by Mark's description of Christ's ministry. (Emphasis Added)
Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15 NASB)
In fact, Jesus never stopped talking about the "kingdom of God", which phrase is used over 50 times in the Gospels. Matthew, however, used it only four times, apparently preferring the synonymous "kingdom of heaven", which occurs 32 times in his book alone.
Jesus even said that the proclamation of the Kingdom was the reason He was sent to earth.
But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose." (Luke 4:43 NASB)
Sounds like a 'mission statement' to me. See What Was Jesus Primary Message
End Notes - Kevin Gerald
[01] https://www.bellevuedowntown.com/go/bellevue-pacific-tower
Joseph Prince (born 15 May 1963)
 Joseph Prince was born to a Chinese mother and a Sikh father. His birth name was Xenonamandar Jegahusiee Singh which he understandably changed. Of course why he chose "Prince" as a last name is something I would dearly love to know.
He is senior pastor of New Creation Church in Singapore that was founded in 1984 and has grown to more than 30,000 members today. While I have been unable to find out much about his personal finances, the amount of money his church spends is nothing short of staggering. An older article on asiaone.com (Emphasis Added)
"members of the megachurch donated an impressive $21.1 million towards its multimillion-dollar building fund". Even more impressively, this was done in less than 24 hours and "breaks the church's record of over $18.8 million raised last February (2009), and $18 million raised in April 2008.' [01]
Six years later in early 2016, The Straits Times reported that "New Creation Church, a fund-raising powerhouse" had fully paid for its 5,000 seat Star Theatre (where the English services take place). The Star Theatre is located within the $500 million Star Performing Arts Centre which is operated by the church's business arm, Rock Productions. [02]
Motivated to search for a larger venue to accommodate their growing church, their business entity, Rock Productions Pte Ltd, took part in and was awarded the tender to build, lease and operate an integrated civic, cultural, retail and entertainment hub, The Star, in 2007.
The Star is a 15-storey mixed use complex located in one-north, Singapore, integrating a performing arts centre called The Star Performing Arts Centre, and a shopping mall called The Star Vista. The building was designed by Andrew Bromberg of the architectural firm Aedas,[2] costs S$500 million to develop,[1] and is owned by Rock Productions Pte Ltd, the business arm of the Singaporean megachurch New Creation Church; The Star Performing Arts Centre is used as the church service venue for New Creation Church. [03. Emphasis Added]
 Churchgoers at The Star Theatre are seated across three tiers Stall, Circle 1 and Circle 2. Various other supporting spaces such as The Star Gallery, The Star Studios and The Star Loft house our Rock Kidz classes for children.
The Star Theatre site says it is ideal For
World-class concerts, musicals, dance and opera. Also perfect for business conferences, award ceremonies, product launches, town hall meetings and convocations. [04]
In other words, the division between church and business have so blurred that there is no appreciable difference between the two .
The 'Amenities page' on the church web site used to list the following
The general Information Counter and Rock Kidz Information Counter are both located within the Box Office on Level 3.
"Pastor Joseph Princes books, CDs and DVDs, and music albums by our church are available at NCC Resource located on level 5."
"Rock Gifts & Book Centre on Level 2 of The Star Vista "carries a wide range of books, music, sermon CDs, DVDs and gifts".
And of course, let's not forget that a "wide variety of food and beverage outlets are available for you to enjoy your meal and fellowship at before or after services". [Amenities. http://thestar.newcreation.org.sg/amenities.php. Page no longer exists]
it is a tragedy beyond belief that churches spend this kind of money on a building and their staff. Asiaone.com also reported that checks from 2009 reveal that
"the church paid one employee between $500,001 and $550,000 in its previous financial year, but the church did not confirm if the amount went to senior pastor Joseph Prince". [05] He however, hasn't taken a salary after that year.
Joseph Prince
Apparently, after God gave him the "mandate" to preach pure and unadulterated grace (during a vacation in the Swiss Alps no less) - "without attempting to balance, or mix, it with the law" Joseph is said to have fully embraced the instructions and has not looked back.
Joseph has spoken in several different countries around the globe, including Israel, Norway, Germany, Holland, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and Asia. In fact, Grace Revolution Church opened its doors in Dallas, Texas just four years ago in 2014. He has also preached at Joel Osteens church in Houston, Texas on several occasions and share about the healing power of the Holy Communion as a guest on Joel Osteen Radio SiriusXM together with Matt & Laurie Crouch.
And, as a by the way when he and his wife Wendy appeared with Joel and Victoria Osteen ( I believe it was filmed at Lakewood church) (at about the 3:10 mark HERE ) he made mentioned preaching the truth - Your sins are forgiven - past, present and future.
Whose truth?
Princes words imply that our sins - past, present, and future are forgiven is pretty much the doctrine of Eternal Security - a common enough and very dangerous belief held by many a misguided believer.
The Doctrine of Eternal Security
also known as Once Saved Always Saved or OSAS, is one of the most perilous teachings in the modern church and goes like this - At the moment a person makes the once and for all decision to "accept" Christ as Savior, He pays for all of their sins: past, present, and future. Thus they remain saved irrespective of how they conduct their lives thereafter, how much they backslide, or even if they actually disown Christ.
The tragic result of this extremely lethal doctrine is that all too many Christians blissfully sail through life under the dangerous delusion that they are permanently and eternally saved on the basis that they once made a confession of faith, walked an aisle, prayed a prayer etc. Although they may not have actually murdered someone many of them live pretty much as the world does. What a terribly tragic state we have talked ourselves into.
The Mind of Christ
A Lesson on How To Manipulate Scripture
In The Secret to Great Faith - Chapter 21 of his book Destined to Reign, Joseph Prince expresses his admiration for Kenneth Hagin, saying
I give thanks to God for my roots in the Word of Faith teachings. It is truly on the shoulders of great men of God like Brother Kenneth E. Hagin that we are able to see further into the Word of God today. Growing up, I learned a lot about faith from Brother Hagin, who truly has a special revelation of faith from the Lord, I deeply honor and respect him for all that he has taught me".
This admiration also come through in an article entitled The Mind Of Christ Doesn't Grow Old - a Joseph Prince Devotional,
When the late Reverend Kenneth E Hagin was in his eighties, he was still healthy and strong. This amazing man of God would run around the platform as he preached. And those who have heard him preach would tell you that he had an amazing memory with which he could recall specific details such as the day of the week that a specific date fell on and even the time. Even at that age, the mans memory was superb!
But when Hagin read a medical journal that said every day millions of cells in our brains die. He didnt realize it, but those words got into his spirit and he started to forget things.
So he asked the Lord, What is happening to me? And the Lord said, You read that article and you believed it. He repented and asked the Lord what he should do. The Lord said, Confess My Word. My Word says that you have the mind of Christ, and the mind of Christ never forgets. He started to confess that he had the mind of Christ and that was how his memory remained sharp for the rest of his life. [07]
This teaching supposedly based on Philippians 2:5 is a powerful demonstration of how faith teachers impose their ideas on Biblical text. In his devotional Prince writes "My friend, the Word of God says that you have the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ is not old, slow or forgetful! I don't care how old you get. You don't have to become forgetful".
However, what you need to do with this verses as with ALL others is read it in context, See Context Is Crucial
This message began in chapter 1 in which Paul urged the Philippians to conduct themselves "in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" (1:27). He continued this theme in the next chapter exhorting them to "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than themselves and look to the interests of others (2:3. 4)
He went on to give Christ as the example to be emulated saying
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 BSB)
Reign in Life?
A Second Lesson on How To Manipulate Scripture
by endeavoring to prove a point by explaining one Greek word and neglecting the other.
In his book Destined to Reign Joseph Prince, echoing the philosophy of all prosperity teachers, wrote
If you are living a life of defeat, of being defeated by sin, by perpetual guilt and condemnation, by sicknesses, by anxiety attacks, and by broken relationships, you are not living the life that God intended for you. Based on the authority of God's word, you are destined to "reign in life" as a king, to have kingly dominion over all your challenges and circumstance. You are called to be above them all and not be trampled by them. The time has come for you to stop abdicating your right to reign in life!
And adds
"The Bible states very clearly that we are to reign in life through Jesus Christ just by receiving two things from Him: The abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness."
(He repeated this message when preaching at Joels Osteens church - HERE about the 4:45 mark)
Prince based this teaching on Romans 5:17 that says in part ... those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign (Gk. basileuo) in life (Gk. ze) through the One, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17 NASB) This is his interpretation of the verse ...
The word "reign" used in Romans 5:17 is the Greek word basileuo where you get the English word "basilica". In ancient Rome, basilicas were used as law courts. So it refers to a kingly judicial rule. In other words, to reign here is to reign in life as a king, to have kingly rule and to possess kingly dominion.
For the purpose of this topic, this is a fair enough understanding of the Roman basilica. For More See Where Christians Assemble.
However, Prince neglected one other word in Roman 5:17 ie. the word "life" rendered from the Greek ze - those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life (ze) through the One, Jesus Christ"
Ze occurs over 130 times in the New Testament but here is where Prince's theory falls flat on its face. Virtually every single time ze is used, it refers not to our few years on earth, but to eternal life. In fact in the VERY NEXT verse ze refers to eternal life.
So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life (Gk. ze) for all men. (Romans 5:18 BSB)
In fact, ze is often combined with the Greek word aionios (eternal) as it was just THREE verses later
so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal (Gr. aionios) life (Gk. ze) through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21 BSB)
Revelation 22:5 clearly tells us that in the world to come, we will reign with Christ.
And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5 NASB)
n John's first Epistle, not only does the apostle tell us that "He who has the Son has the life" - pretty much what Paul said in Romans 5:17, but John specifies the life he is speaking about is eternal life.
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal (Gr. aionios) life (Gk. ze), and this life (Gk. ze) is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life (Gk. ze); he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life (Gk. ze). (1 John 5:11-12 NASB)
And, if we would ever learn to read in context, Paul was also referring to eternal life in Romans 5.
(16) The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. (17) For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (18) So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. (19) For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. (20) The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, (21) so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:16-21 NASB)
Other examples include
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life (Gk. ze) crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. (Matthew 18:8 NASB)
And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal (Gr. aionios) life? (Gk. ze)? (Matthew 19:16 NASB)
These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal (Gr. aionios) life? (Gk. ze). (Matthew 25:46 NASB)
but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life (Gk. ze) and immortality to light through the gospel, (2 Timothy 1:10 NASB)
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal (Gr. aionios) life (Gk. ze). Galatians 6:8 NASB
'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Gk. ze). (Revelation 2:10 NASB)
But remember - If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; (2 Timothy 2:12 NASB)
End Notes Joseph Prince
[01] https://web.archive.org/web/20100831201009/http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100830-234555.html
[02] Melody Zaccheus. Heritage and Community Correspondent. New Creation Church's $500m centre fully paid for. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-creation-churchs-500m-centre-fully-paid-for
[03] Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star,_Singapore
[04] The Start Theatre. https://www.thestar.sg/the-star-theatre
[05] New Creation Church collected S$21 million in fewer than 24 hours
web.archive.org/web/20100831201009/http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100830-234555.html
[06] Joseph Prince Ministries. The Mind Of Christ Doesn't Grow Old.
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/28-joseph-prince/day/127
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