Holiness or Hell? Part 1

During our combined twenty two + plus years in the ntcc, we have heard the term "Holiness or Hell" used from behind the pulpit, during bible studies, and in general conversation many times.  Without going into our own personal opinions and convictions that might agree or disagree with the ntcc on many holiness issues, we think that it is important to get down to the root of the problem or matter however you might see it.

My issue with holiness preachers has nothing to do with the content of holiness teachings but with the way it comes across.  With the ntcc every thing comes across the pulpit as:

• "Do or Die."
• "My Way or the Highway!"
• "Heaven or Hell!"
•  etc... 

But they also throw around the question,

• "What would Jesus do?"

That is a great question; and one we all should strive to achieve.  I do not ever remember Jesus saying follow me or you will die and go to hell.  It seemed to me that the ones that followed him did so more so out of love than fear.

The reason that the ntcc is so cut and dry on many issues is that they are a cult.
They use these teachings as ultimatums:

• to gain more control
• to create fear
• to make their group seem more elite
• to make it harder to obtain membership in their exclusive club

This is a very dangerous road to travel down; because the group that usually gets excluded are the people that are the opposite of proud, the least of God's children, and the ones that are the most easily offended. The ntcc have said in the past that "It's God's word that is offending them not our preaching."  By saying this they are displaying their lack of forgiveness and a judgmental attitude that runs many off; in spite of the fact that they do preach Christ crucified. It's counter-productive to introduce holiness or hell after you just got done preaching Jesus' blood or hell.

While there are many teachings in the bible that are the "do's and don'ts" of Christianity there are also teachings that we adhere to that are not all "cut and dry".  Many things in the bible apply to customs of the time and Old Testament Law.  Tithe is a concept that has absolutely no supporting New Testament Scripture; but it is a huge part of ntcc's teaching; because in ntcc tithe is used to separate Christians from sinners and to distinguish those that are saved from those who are not.  And, more importantly to the ntcc, tithe is used to gain revenue ($$$$$$).  Not only do they hammer tithe; but they add all kinds of offerings and use more cult loaded jargon to guilt people to give.  There were many times that I was encouraged to give more than I could; and it was done in a way that made me feel that if I didn't pledge money that I didn't have that I lacked the faith to trust God [manipulation].  Now, I'm finding out that what I did give was funding the higher-ups' lifestyle more than it was helping those for whom the money was designated.  I do not have any problem with somebody paying their tithe; but when it is preached as a stipulation to being saved it takes the blessing away from the giver; and I have to say that there is no scriptural evidence that supports this teaching.

The same applies with holiness teaching.  If someone is taught holiness or hell, it makes holiness an ultimatum and people live it out of fear instead of love.  Most of what the ntcc preaches and teaches is not necessarily un-biblical, although some of it is; but it is the way in which they erupt from the pulpit and spew out ultimatums that makes it wrong.  I could take a dog that dumps on the carpet and stick its nose in it and beat the dog until it can barely walk; and it fears me every time I come near it.  Or I can choose a method like putting a dog door in the house and showing the dog his mess, give the dog some verbal reprimand and possibly a small swat to get his attention and then put him through the dog door.  I wonder which method works the best with Christians?  I wonder which method would bring in the most money into the offering plates?  I wonder if holiness was not preached as a prerequisite to make it into heaven if you might find more takers?

Part of the problem that I have with the ntcc's preaching is that they add to and take away from true holiness.  The ntcc's stand on facial hair on men is not scriptural in any way and has no place being preached as a requirement to being a Christian whether or not it is implied or in the form of public rebuke.  Is not holiness an outward appearance for an inward work?  How does the ntcc's stand on encouraging divorce not apply to "holiness or hell" preaching?  It seems like this is allowed because it would call into question the legitimacy of the entire organization, its founder, and the reasons he started a cult instead of adhering to the principles of the organization that would not allow him to do his own thing.   I could go into how tanya kekel dresses and how michael c. kekel has conducted himself, and whether or not football pants are lascivious, and many other questionable doctrines of  the ntcc; but I think that we have covered this sufficiently.  The holiness or hell doctrine that was preached the entire time that I was in the ntcc, which was 1983 - 1997 [Don] and 1990 -1999 [Ange], has been broken and changed many times by the ntcc leadership to cover their own shortcomings [compromise].

We have found that serving God is not supposed to be this difficult; and that God is much more forgiving than the ntcc.  We appreciate all that contribute to this blog; but we especially recognize the X-ers for what they have had to endure over the years.  We were all made to live as slaves to a machine that tried to control our thoughts and actions by the use of intimidation, public embarrassment and humiliation.  I really believe as said before that there will be a special dispensation of grace for those that had to endure this kind of spiritual abuse; and that God has not forsaken us because we have left this evil and wicked organization; but rather it is the first step in a long process of healing and definitely a move in the right direction toward inward holiness without hell being rammed down our throats.

Vote Anonymously On This Post By Clicking On The Lettered Boxes Below:

A)  Sounds Like A True Description Of ntcc.

B)  ntcc Sounds Like A Cult.

C)  I Read This Post.

D)  Holiness Comes After Salvation So It Is Not A Prerequisite For Heaven.

E)   Holiness Comes From The Heart, Not From Rules.

F)  Create Your Own By Leaving A Comment:  Example:  "F"  ntcc preaches holiness to gain control of its members' lives and finances.

G)  Glad To Be Out of ntcc

H)  Create Your Own

I)    I'm Thinking Of Leaving ntcc

J)  Create Your Own

**You Can Choose Multiple Answers**