Do We Practice "Me-ology" Or "Theology"? 

"Gifts can be mimicked, but fruits can't be." Fantastic. I'm commenting so I'll remember, because when I write or type something, I tend to remember it.

I’m so happy a former Pentecostal denomination member is talking about this, I needed to hear my concerns and wounds voiced out by someone else.

I want a relationship with God not a religion. 🙏🏼✝️❤️

This is absolutely excellent!!! In the past I had a very good prison ministry. The women inmates were always curious about the Bible and God, some would come in a listen to my Bible study and others just made fun of me calling me "the Church Lady.". I rather did not care what they thought of me. During the studies, I would often say "I don't really care what you feel (remember I'm teaching a bunch of young female inmates) you need to listen to what God is saying in His Word. God worked tremendously!!! In 12 years almost. 200 women came to faith in Christ. Quite a few wanted to be Baptized immediately. I praise the Lord Jesus for working in their hearts. As the old song says: His Truth is matching on.... Glory Hallelujah!!! Keep preaching what is right and true, Melissa and Shanda. Love what you are presenting. May God continue to Bless your ministries. With love in Christ to both of you,. Sister Monique 🙂

Love this! We are called to walk in spirit and in truth it’s a balance! We need to want the healer more than the healing. I enjoy the gifts but will take the savior without the gifts. I will ask God for the gifts because that’s what the word tells me to do but even if my God decides the answer is no I will not waiver from him because he is God and has that right in my life.

I’m so glad I clicked on this video tonight. This has made me realise I’m a baby still on milk and haven’t even got to the toddlers part and weaning yet. I want to thank you both tonight for totally opening my eyes into my own (Me-ology) and how I’ve lacked getting to know God and struggle with getting anywhere with my faith and I would ask you to please pray 🙏🏼 for me to give me strength to read the Word. I truly appreciate your video’s and the message you give.

It is so comforting to know that God loves us as His people not because of how well we have done or performed but because of who He is. 🥰

If you want a word from God.. read your Bible. Not a single passage, but read the entire thing, then breakdown each book, then chapter then verse. Context matters, and will give you a real message. Pray.. pray daily in thankfulness, guidance, transformation

I so agree with what you both are saying ,the Bible is a more sure word of prophecy, I love, study the Bible and knowing God through His word brings the truth.

Thank you so much for sharing this. It is liberating to hear another person say they grew up in a pentecostal church and have had the same experience that I have had. Learning a lot from your channel.

I went through a period looking for God in the Pentecostal movement, thinking I needed to be more spiritual and speak in tongues, heal and be healed, etc. I understand what you’re talking about 🙂

Wow, you ladies are hitting it down to the core. This makes so much sense and it is so practical. Wooooooo, you women are making it make sense!. Thank you, Lord! And thank you ladies for allowing God to use your experiences to reach so many.

I would like to Add that I truly enjoy your content Melissa…. I have and do speak in tongues during my prayer time and it is not forced it follows out of my praising and thanking God for saving my soul and His unfailing love for me.

I was raised as a Pentecostal, and I’m still one, but I don’t ever remember the teachings to be that focused on tongues. I don’t know if it has something to do with me living in northern Europe, and that the teachings here are not that similar to the US and America. This is not the first nor the second video I have watched that tells Pentecostals to be focused on speaking in tongues, yet that is not what i have experienced. Our teachings are always centered around Jesus and His work on the cross, repentance, fruits of the Spirit, loving your neighbour and just solid Bible teaching overall.

It is true, we continue to attend Church to satisfy our own needs and emotions. What happened with going around the world introducing Jesus to people?

I am so glad I wasn't raised in a church, so when I read the Bible I had fresh eyes to know God.

Thank you for articulating what I have felt for years about many (not all) Women's Bible studies! Please ladies Apologistics is the way to go !

As a kid, I went to church camp and went forward for rededication/ altar call. Everyone around me speaking in tongues and when I couldn’t, more people gathered around me and laid hands on me. I finally mumbled some gibberish and they let me go, celebrating 🥳 Didn’t mess me up… no one’s perfect. God is so good! ❤️

Real love is easy. My relationship with God is wonderful and easy as it is with my husband of 39 years. My relationship with God has been 60 years. God is always in touch, i never cry. I’m elated to know God, Jesus and have the Holy Spirit within. Always there even when I have sinned.i have repented many times.

This is fantastic information and truth. Thank you both for putting this video out there!!

That was very deep! I recognized myself many times in what Shanda said in your video and what she said hit me really hard but it was true. I'm French and I begin to understand my faith and I'm learning everyday or I'm trying to but I have my moment of doubts and yes it's not easy because I know it is not clamed to be easy. And I have to admit that Shanda said here opened my ears and my conscience and I'll follow her advices. Thank you.

I am still part of the Pentecostal church i have expericed all of those things. I am struggling with the doctoral things because i am also educated in pentecostal post-secondary school having my bachors degree. I didnt fit in persay at the school because i didnt speak in toungs every chapel or was over emotional. Now here i am trying to deconstruct my idea of faith/religion safely and healthy rewriting my statement of faith so on day i can find a job to continue my journey in what i think God has called me in the end. I really like how you said that the gifts can be mimic and the fruits cant

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, ladies. I needed to hear this, as I am in a women's ministry that values fanciful experiences as a proof that the Holy Spirit is moving. My question is the same every time: how do we know if what we're experiencing and hearing is us, our own thoughts, or God's? The thing is: at women's ministries, all come needing so many things. Some come questioning. And the leaders feed that with reassurances of God's love for them.

Beautiful podcast, students of the Bible, I wish the people in my church were so enlightening like you guys. The people in my church are blindfolded by the adversary himself. They're very Biblical illiterate. Oh, God has mercy on these people.

Thank you both for this!!! I've never dealt with pentecostalism but this reinforced my understanding of scripture and I learned something new! As always! 💖

Great discussion ladies. There is me-ology in so much of our (supposed) "worship" music today. Very few truly worshipful songs......😢 LOL.....I got kicked out of an ecumenical women's Bible Study for asking questions when someone started talking about Mary being the second Eve! Argh!

The tie between emotions and Truth is real and important. Your heart tells you what you really believe and where your trust is. The gap between the head and the heart is important. This is the doubt gap.

Sooo good, thanks you two!

Enjoying this video. I've seen alot through your channel any chance you can do a run down of different deliverance ministries. I know you did o e on sozo but what about the others. The good, the bad, what to look out for, and what is ok..

Good video. Good guest. Thank you, Melissa! Shanda's comments on Gifts and having a "word" leads to some important things: 1. Psychology plays more of a roll in Religious beliefs than most of us ever talk about. People DO want to feel "special". Feeling that God has given them a "gift" helps do that. Also, having someone tell you that God has a message for you can make you feel special that "God is working in your Life". HOWEVER, he has many ways he can "work". Does it really work that way? a "word-of-knowledge"? To me, it looks like, NO. It doesn't. Why? Because: HEBREWS Chapter 1, verses 1 & 2: 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (end) Also, 2nd Timothy Chapter 3 verses 16 & 17: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work". (end) So there you have it. The Bible. For instruction in righteousness, doctrine, etc. There is no "word-of-knowledge" mini-revelation. See HEBREWS chapter 1, verse 1 & 2: You already have what you need. The Bible. The answers are in the book! All we have to do, is USE it! Here's another thing, and no one is talking about this: Imagine this. You join a church. You feel welcomed. You make friends. BUT--- You have NO special-gift AT ALL. NO words of knowledge. No gift of healing No speaking in tongues No special discernment ability. In fact, nothing "gift" really stands out about you At ALL. You are quite Ordinary. No one would bother looking to you for a "revelation" or any sort of spiritual "power". You are a "basic member". You read your Bible. You pray. You witness. You are sincere in "walking with God". Perhaps you think this isn't "special" enough. But suppose this one more thing--- while you dont have any spiritual "gift", -- you are "packed FULL" of the FRUITS-of-the-Spirit! Galations 5, verses 22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. (end) You don't have to have a Gift to do or have these. Feel good about that.

Loved this! Thank you ladies!!! ❤❤❤

Loved all of it. Thank you!

I can't Not wait to watch the rest of this later! Was just hearing about this recently

"Me-ology"......reminds me of Chris Rosebrough's "narci-gesis"! 😃

I was actually in my 20 where my Pastor was like why are u not crying God is not moving in you. I never been in a church like that so I felt weird cause I couldn't cry

I used to go to a church where we were asked if we wanted to go up to the stage to receive the gift of tongues. I went up and everyone started speaking in tongues. I stood there feeling confused and so arkward as i was not. I was forcing myself to try and talk in tongues.

Bear in mind that "theology" is from the Greek and literally means "God talk."

You two should both be named Smalls because you’re killing me (movie reference) and I’m only halfway done. I relate to so much you’re saying. I’m devouring the content and I had to break so I could yell with delight. Ok ok I’m going to finish now. I love you both for this video and your faithfulness to Christ and His truths!!!

That’s an interesting observation: “There’s no middle ground when the culture goes more and more into moral decline.”

Today I learned “the heart is deceitfully wicked above all things” wasn’t meant for everyone. Actually had no clue

30:27-30:50 yep so true!

The first Christian church I’ve been, they’d read a chapter in the Bible and interpret it totally figurative, they said it was spiritual interpretation. So, why they do that, is it really Christian? I left the church thinking Jesus was a myth.

This is too funny, I heard you say that your on Mark 11 going on Mark 12, I just right now finished mark 11 and on mark 12, what a coincidence!! Love your videos!!

How about interviewing current pentecostals , not ones the leave. One person's 'bad' experience does not nullify the entire movement.

If it doesn't have a grind, you're not getting sharp.

good video ✅

How do find these courses. Can’t fine occ courses that your talking about?

It's the gospel of feelings.

People that leave were never of us. Christ said His people hear his voice.

What about the She-kina or a female god?

I'm just going off of what scripture generally says. Our minds are to be on the world to come. We, those who trust in Jesus and the Father, all have the Spirit. If we ask anything of Him, with no doubt and pure motives (like David does in the Psalms), we will receive the knowledge of what He says is right and wrong. However, he's knowledge and wisdom is so vast and infinite there's no way for us to know everything but there won't be any conflicts with other believers if we all pray for the same thing. Yet, it's also written and spoken in scripture that the 'Elders and Scribes' have written lies going as far back as when God himself was teaching the Israelites in the wilderness. Because they chose to try and gain wisdom without His Spirit. Not only that but they have gone so far as to commit worse sins than Sodom and Gomorrah whe doing so. Scripture, as well as Jesus within it, says that you have to be better than them. In conclusion, there is really only One Teacher, One Shepard and One Way. No Earthly study is going to even get you close except the path that God leads you.. Go and pray, listen, and see.

Back in the day I learned this little illustration: Facts, Faith and Feelings were walking on a fence. Feelings fell off and Faith wavered. Faith looked at Facts and stood strong. Feelings soon followed.

I was raised in a word of faith background & their is such an emphasis on emotionalism, tongues, speaking/declaring in the atmosphere, signs and wonders etc! It’s so exhausting, & you never get fulfilled by any of this you are striving for. Im thankful the Lord saved me from this, and the Lord has me searching through His word for truth, Im patient for finding a church that’s biblically sound, & not chaos from what I was in for years.

Everyone can "speak in tongues" in the way that hypercharismatics think of it. You just make up words and speak gibberish (that nobody can actually interpret). The Biblical definition of "tongues" is an actual language that can be interpreted. For example, if a Missionary comes accross an undiscovered people group in the jungle and they are instantly able to speak THEIR LANGUAGE (and someone else in the group can interpret) so that the Gospel can be shared - that is true speaking in tongues. Every time someone speaks in tongues someone has to be able to interpret it or it's not Biblical. Period. So if a whole church is proving they're saved by speaking gibberish and there aren't also people who can interpret everything that is being said, it's not Biblical. It's not supposed to be chaos with no way of knowing for sure that it's even being interpreted correctly. Every cult has a leader who believes God only speaks to them. Or that they're the only one's who can interpret what's being said. We serve a God of truth, not a god of chaos and confusion. It's also interesting how we sinners always want the "showy gifts" like tongues, healing and prophecy. Those things feed our sinful egos. Paul said that Love is the most important spiritual gift - but we sinners think that's boring and doesn't make us special. There's a reason certain gifts have ceased.

My only critique with this conversation is that there wasn't the opportunity taken to correct the thought "why a good God would send us to hell." You said that Jon Steingard expressed that was the thing that caused him to leave his faith, and that that is Christianity 101. Yes understanding why we go to hell is Christianity 101. But we misunderstand it if we think a good God SENDS us to hell. He doesn't send us so much as we choose an eternal existence without him and we spend an eternity facing our own depravity that separated us from him. That's what sends us to hell. It's our choice. And God is good and just in letting us make that choice.

You both need to read Cat & Dog Theology. Such a great explanation of the "me theology". Here's the premise: a dog looks at his owner and says "you pet me, you feed me, you love me... YOU must be God." A cat says, "you pet me, you feed me, you love me, I must be God". And a great conversation about how much cat theology has crept into the church.

Oh my I completely understand the not going to women's Bible studies anymore !! I stopped as well. It was just SO emotional and allllllll about praying for every little thing that was bothering everybody. The "Bible Study" was a pre-packaged study about how we feel about a verse or two and how we can make our lives better . Honestly, my husband won't go to men's Bible studies either. He was massively uncomfortable with the touchy feely let's get in touch with our vulnerability junk. He came home from one and I asked how the study went. He said "What study??? All we did was talk about our feelings." He hasn't been back to one since. HOW is it so hard to find a group of people who want to talk about God, Jesus, the Bible and NOT ourselves ??

Leviticus? Why read that? It's boring! It may seem boring at first, until you realize that God is introducing Himself to you in great detail. Yup, details are boring, but they are necessary. All the books of the Old Testament are, among other things, an introduction to God. How can you worship, love, and obey someone you don't know? Read your bible. It's a book full of valuable teachings. Start at the front and read it through. You'll be surprised how well you get to know God.

Always went to a more conservative type of expository church. Years ago, several times, I went with a friend to her charismatic church where folks would come up to you and give you a supposed word from God. I had a hard time believing it was from the Lord. People were so hyper emotional, crying and such. My friend would get a word then cry, almost sob. My spirit didn't feel right. One time, some guy came up to me and gave a word whereas my friend didn't get one as she was accustomed. Driving home she was very upset I got a word but she didn't. It seemed to be a competition who was more special. I didn't even want the word in the first place from a stranger whom I had no knowledge who he was. I took him singleing me out as a flirtation. I then knew this could be a danger hooking people in with emotion. Sadly, that friend has gone deeply into new age, still seeking that emotional roller coaster high.

Hey Melissa! Really love your channel! Do you think you could do a video about repentance and how important it goes with salvation? I think it's underrepresented, and I know you would address it well. Two other suggestions are that hell does exist (and why it exists) and the biblical argument for no premarital sex. I've seen more than a few people say hell doesn't exist and having premarital sex isn't supported by the Bible. Thanks for all you do and God bless and keep you!

That is so true about that “feeling.” I attended a Pentecostal church from my childhood up until the pandemic and relied on that feeling. Once the pandemic hit and my life got a little more chaotic, I wondered where that feeling was. I did the same praise and worship and listened to the sermons online. Still nothing. Curiosity got the best of me and I walked right into witchcraft. Thankfully I now believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. However, I had to learn the Bible! The Bible was taught in a different way at my old church. It was mostly based around reading a bunch of verses in the Bible to get a reaction from the congregation, not for teaching purposes.

I'm truly on my journey to rekindle my relationship with God. And seeing so many claim "God told me" rather than what the Bible says. When you pray for discernment...watch out!

The roots of Pentecostalism are cultish to say the least. As a former Pentecostal/WOFer/NARer for a decade- Shanda was on point

I love that! "The gifts of the Spirit can be mimicked. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be mimicked."

💛 Thank you. I’m learning to allow the Word to simply be ENOUGH.

"..To seek God not to know him but to know us..." That absolutely convicted me! This conversation is making me realize the pressure I've always felt when worshiping and reading the Bible. I've never been able to figure out this pressure that I've always felt. I've always struggled to consistently read my Bible but now I realize that, without knowing, I get discouraged if I don't have a big emotional reaction every time. Thank you for this conversation!

“Your denomination is not your religion” that’s a powerful statement

Emotions do not equal truth.

I thought I was the only one rolling my eyes while reading the fluffy women’s bible studies. 🙄🤣 Just give me God’s Word! Amen 🙏 😍

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you". Simple, timeless, eternal Truth!

This is soooo good! I was raised exactly like Shanda, right down to church camp with only memories of crying 😆. As an adult I couldn’t understand why I “felt rejected” by God so often. About a year ago God began to open my eyes about TRUTH and emotionalism and MEology that I had been in for decades . He is totally transforming me now. So glad to see others share similar testimonies! ❤️

I've spent the last 30 years in Word of Faith and had almost the exact same experience as Shanda in these last 2 years. But I would say that the two Word of Faith churches I attended didn't just say other denominations were "a few notches down." They would actually call them dead denominational churches. Now that I've come out of that it's like waking up and I'm just appalled that I thought that way. So prideful.

Thank you for this video!! I feel like a lot of women’s Bible studies are super into emotionalism. I’m glad you mentioned waiting to act because a bible study I did a year ago was all about just jumping to obey every thought or word we get from God. That got me into a lot of trouble, because most of what I was hearing was definitely not from God.

I relate to so much of this coming from a Mormon background. “WE have the ‘truth’” and “what you FEEL testifies to the ‘truth’”…Grateful my eyes have been opened, but so sad for those who just can’t see.

There is another term for what you are calling expository teaching. It's known as inductive teaching/study. Also, often topical preaching can cherry pick scripture to support the point being made...and lose the context.

Experienced this at my church, The “Spirits” moving is either quantified by how many people come to the altar to get more of the spirit, or qualified by how loud the speaker yells or how repetitive the same word is spoken. That’s called being “anointed” 😏

If everyone speaks English in the congregation, tongues aren't necessary, unlike Pentecost where people of many languages were within hearing.

What a great question? How much of our faith can rely on our subjective emotions, along with 'head knowledge'; knowing the scripture for what The Word truly says, and interpreting The Word truly. Can one feel the presence of The Lord, and feel the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, and not just know Him intellectually through His Word? I think we all desire to know The Lord experientially, personally; and intellectually perusing The Word can feel insufficient as far as knowing The Lord in a personal manner. Thus, we have the charismatic movement and pentecostalism, and, unfortunately, the 'wolves in sheep's clothing' that too often come along with them.

Most have a man-centered religion as opposed to a God-centered theology.

I left my church because they shut down, and found one that stayed open during the gov't shutdowns - I think scripture is pretty clear that church is essential. That was only the last straw. Shallow, "my-life-application" teaching.

What about those who say all the time" God told me...." " I'll leave my job when God says it's time, " " I felt, in my spirit, that God is saying....," " This just dropped in my spirit.... " As if God directs and talks to them at all times and can't move until God says so. When is it God and when is it you? Thoughts on these kinds of comments?

I feel lucky because even though I was mostly raised in an apostolic setting, my dad had always told us that speaking in tongues was a gift where someone else should be able to interpret. And the church was misinterpreting those scriptures, so to ignore those aspects.

This is sooo on point. This issue is no one is MAKING disciples. I come from the NAR movement into reformed. There is very little training in theology. It is all about feelings and personal purpose. For years I never understood basic Christianity. We must walk with new believers and teach them. Matt 28:19-20.

So... I grew up in a Pentecostal church where we were always told to not seek the gift but to seek God and Jesus and to study the word of God. Yes I have seen some of the things you are speaking of and yes I agree there are some factions that think they have the patent on the Gospel. Also, many a wonderful time seeking God and praying together at the altar, tears or not, it was a practice we learned that helped shape my personal spiritual walk. I wholeheartedly agree that the gift of speaking in tongues is often taken out of context and also subject to wrong ways of " coaching " is just plain extrabiblical. and wrong. The tears don't indicate change, just an expression of emotion . The proof is in the fruit of someone's life Thank you for sharing this

I didn't expect this, but I think I have been into Me-ology aswell. Didn't expect that at all, thank you so much for this video!

Melissa, first of all, thank you for what you do for Christ’s kingdom. I was raised in the baptist and Nazarene church. I’m 54 and God truly changed me in 2015 and converted me with His truth the way He wanted me to finally receive it. I was led to believe that “jumping the pews” and shouting “hallelujah” and writhing around on the floor and receiving the Holy Spirit this way was “normal” and speaking in tongues was just something that you would eventually be gifted from God with. Not true…none of it. God brought me His truth and hunger for His word through people like Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, Ray Comfort, Pastor Tim Conway, Frank Turek and now, you. I appreciate you and your channel has been very helpful to me. Thank you for your zeal and keep up the great work for God’s kingdom!

I found my Peep's! I'm not the only one who feels out of place in women's studies.

Do we practice me-ology or theology? Do we practice exegesis or narcigesis? 🙏

I was raised the same way. Women in the church would pursue me as a teenager and lead me to the altar and press on my stomach to “teach” me to pray in tongues. Youth Camp was exactly like Shanda said. All emotions. Scream preaching. Worship music to make you fall to your knees because certain keys and verses were played over and over looking for your emotions. I’m so glad God opened my eyes over the last few years and allowed me to learn from a Bible teaching church.

This conversation is so powerful in addressing all the points of Christianity that have been bothering me for years. Thank you for this priceless discussion that can even address deeper concerns.

Awesome video I love how you ladies explained everything with theology vs me-ology! I was raised in that movement too, and had to unlearn a lot of that stuff over time. Keep making these awesome videos to get the truth of the word out there!!👏👏👏

Seek the Giver, not the gift.

I also come from a Pentecostal background. I remember the way we saw tongues was that it was indeed the evidence as to whether you were filled with the Spirit and since leaving that environment I have learned that Jesus spoke more about the fruit of the Spirit than He did about the gifts of the Spirit. Also that speaking in tongues isn't so much evidence of being filled with the Spirit as being able to control your tongue is.

I like the explanation you gave about having to research in order to be able to determine cultural idioms and such. I remember one person I read put it this way - "Just because I say I have ants in my pants doesn't mean you should spray a can of Raid in my jeans." - Maybe that is a topic for a future video? Determining what type of literature the book is (i.e. - Kings 2 is an historical book while Psalms is a song book, The Gospels are Greco-Roman biography and Paul's letters are didactic) and how it should be read. All of Scripture is God-breathed but there's still a difference between steak and a baked potato 😁

I also have quit women's Bible studies. People think I'm strange, but I AM OUT. Cannot stand all the stuff. I love the Word. I love the Body. But I am not hanging out with a bunch of tea drinkers. Hard to find women who want to know the Word.

Fluff and stuff 😂 its so funny I went to one of these Woman's retreats, too, and I also remember the weird overly emotional stuff / everyone crying. Was definitely a weekend I was glad when it was over!

So how does a continuationist discern "the move of the Spirit" as opposed to the hyper charismatic? That something happens less often? Isnt all such evaluations based on the very subjective "feeling" of God "moving" or "presence"?

My family is the dead opposite - all feelings are bad inside religion and out. It primarily comes from my mother - she really hates talking about the love of God but loves fine doctrinal points (that don't include love, its weird). It's an interesting contrast to this discussion where emotions are inappropriately elevated; I think it shares a similarity of not appropriately valuing the entirety of scripture.

Thank you for your videos, Melissa. I am starting to feel like I really do have a relationship with God again. People can be so fake… 😔

SOO important to read our Bibles EACH day. AND study with GOOD commentaries. AND listen to good theologians.... Thank you girls for this good conversation spurring us to grow each day !