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 So, put all your energy into targeting one of His dedicated servants, and see where that gets you.

I get this kind of message in two forms, the people who accuse me of getting rich off the chapel, and the people who say that my lack of riches proves God is against me.

Question/Comment: 

----- Original Message -----
From: Name Withheld
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 3:02 PM
Subject: Your "ministry"
It seems to me that since one of the main priorities of Shepherds’ Chapel, is to drive people into the word of God, they are doing quite a great job, from all of this stuff I have been reading.  And you, whoever you are, has made Shepherds’ Chapel, your target for some unknown purpose?  It sure seems to have brought you many blessings from God, which you state by your one donation, for an entire year.  I am fortunate enough to know a little on that subject, as God blesses me all of the time.  I have been blessed throughout my life with miracles, finding truth, loving God, my father, and getting to know Him through His word.
 
I just thought I would share with you, that when you are doing God’s work, you are taken care of by God.  This is all so simple, in my opinion it is all just a test.  God wants to know who really loves Him.  So, put all your energy, (I neglected to put time and energy, as you really didn’t spend much time) into targeting one of His dedicated servants, and see where that gets you.
 
 
Name Withheld

My First Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Name Withheld
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 11:50 AM
Subject: Re: Your "ministry"
You have fallen prey to the idea that material wealth is  proof that one is favored by God.  That is what the Pharisees believed (and many others also to this day).

From the evidence of scripture, it is observed that the Pharisees believed that if you were well off in life; it was evidence that God approved of you.  Whereas if you were  poor, deformed, or crippled, it was ample evidence that you were cursed by God (I am personally all three: poor, deformed, and crippled me).  (Let me mention at this time that I do not consider myself "disabled"  I have some physical problems that are recurring and sometimes painful, but not a classic disability.  I have chronic back problems and a broken toe that was never attended to which is painful.  The deformity is a separate issue and has never been a disability.)

John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

His disciples asked the question, but the idea came from those that sat in Moses' seat, this was what people were being taught in those days.  We know this because of the way they treated the man who was born blind when they investigated the healing.

John 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

But that is not what Christ taught. Did you learn your attitude towards poverty and affliction while Arnold Murray was "driving you into the word?"
 
The main purpose of the Shepherd's Chapel is to get Arnold Murray's face on your TV screen, to promote his far-out interpretations/philosophy, and to collect money.  I don't buy his con-man tactics. He is unfaithful to the word of God.  Many ministries gather in lots of money, many causes too, godly and ungodly. My ministry does not require lots of money to keep going, it costs about $200 a year after I donate my time.  Back when I was a Chapel supporter I got more donations, and if I really cared about donations I suppose that would bother me.
 
It's worth more than money to me when I get an email from someone saying, "I just started studying with the Shepherd's Chapel, and thank God I found your website, I almost sent them money."    That is priceless.  Arnold Murray does not drive people into the word, what he does is conditions people to read into the bible his own uniquely corrupt doctrine and philosophy. 
 
Chapel people are of so many different minds, one person writes me accusing me of "getting rich" off of this work; and then you write to taunt me about how I don't make any money from it.  Which is more sinful?  To profit off saving people from Murray's Chapel?  Or to take no profit from the same?  No matter what I do, you people are going to accuse me.  What a bunch of hypocrites you are.
 
So, put all your energy, (I neglected to put time and energy, as you really didn’t spend much time) into targeting one of His dedicated servants, and see where that gets you.
 
I have said this before. He will never see his predictions come to pass, he is a repeated and unrepentant false prophet. All his visions will fail. He will not see the end times.  When he is dead, his ministry will splinter and fade away. Dennis is about as ungifted as they come and will not be able to fill his father's shoes.
 
You have been corrupted by this man's personal philosophy, and I pity you.  But my website is not meant to convert you, it is meant to keep others from becoming you, and it works.  So I am thankful for that. I am very prosperous in the riches I covet.
 
I will go on.
 
Sincerely,
Paul Stringini

Emailer's First Reply:

----- Original Message -----
From: Name Withheld
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 2:41 AM
Subject: Re: Your "ministry"
Hello,
 
You do not even know me.  If I were you, I would be very careful as God is starting his vengance at the pulpit.   You are making money from lying about those who teach the truth  You can’t just pull a sentence from the Bible to use for whatever your trip is.  You need to study it, on your own, and if you get confused, you just ask God for clearance.  I have been studying all my life, and I am still learning.  I am very fortunate as I have experienced first hand many miracles from God. As Jesus said, "Haven’t you read it”  If you had, you would know a little of what you are talking about, and you don’t.  But when you make statements about Arnold Murray as you did, you have a very long way to go back and start over, unless it is because you are just mentally challenged.  Arnold Murray never asks for money and teaches God said not to bring a begging bag, which he did.  When asked about tithing on social security, disability etc. he explains the truth.  You only tithe on earnings, if you don’t earn anything, how do you pay?, which makes his very unpopular, but the truth hurts.  God told of the many blinded  people, and it truly makes me sad that there are so many.
 
Who says that the blessings from God are all material?  Were you even taught to read? What does Moses have to do with that one blind man, and did they answer that all disabled people were born that way for some sin? That is ridiculous.   Maybe there wasn’t any pollution then,  and God did not create the pollution. God does not hurt man, man does. You really need to get a King James Bible, read it chapter by chapter, ask God for understanding, and you may just be surprised.  Do not take your afflictions out on one of the only pastors’ who is willing to tell the real truth, at all costs.  Arnold Murray doesn’t even take a salary, he has earned a good financial living through farming,raising cattle, and investments.  I am also disabled for the last ten years,, but it is in no way Gods’ fault,  and I am in constant pain.  If there is fault, its mine. I was in several car accidents, had cancer, and a bunch of stuff.  I was pronounced DOA on my 21st birthday, but I am still here.  But, you either deal with it, work around it, or shoot yourself.  I choose to deal with it.  We were created for Gods’ pleasure, not ours. There s no way you could get such an impression of Arnold Murrays’ ministry, and then take donations?  I just don’t get it.  Just remember, Gods’ rath starts at the pulpit, for ministering falsehoods.  Good Luck with that.
 

My Second Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Name Withheld
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: Your "ministry"

Hi Name Withheld, I read your letter, now please read mine.  Arnold Murray asks for money every single broadcast and the fact that you repeat his "fib" that he does not, is ample proof that you have fallen prey to his dishonest double-talk.  "We are brought to you by your tithes and offerings, if we have helped you please help us keep coming to you."  That is asking for money.  Arnold does not claim to never ask for money, no, he never "begs."  That is double-talk.
 
During every break he is selling books and CD's for a donation of this amount, or for a donation of that amount.  You don't notice that he is asking for money because he goes around tooting his own horn saying, "I never beg."  You believe him, and take him at his word, so you suspend disbelief, its natural, but he is taking advantage of that.  He may never get down on his hands an knees and "beg" like a dog, but who really does?   He is abusing reverse psychology to make you THINK he never asks for money, but he certainly asks for money, he asks for money every single broadcast, he never fails on that one, he just begs nice so you overlook the fact that he is begging. 
 
Most of what you believe about this guy is the stuff he tells you, but based on this kind of double-talk I don't know how you can justify trusting the words of a man who also plainly tells you not to trust him!!! (another confidence man technique! Don't trust me!)
 
He also says that he "never takes a dime for teaching"  but I do not recall him ever saying that he does not get any money or perks from the Shepherd's Chapel at all.  In fact he likes to occasionally brag about being "the President of this Network."  Arnold doesn't only teach the bible, he may do that "for free"  but the president of a network is entitled to a salary.  He flies around in a private plane that the Chapel paid for, and I've seen the vehicles he and his sons drive.  Money is getting into his pockets and into the pockets of his family, don't be deceived about that. 
 
The only "wise investing" he has done was in that satellite dish which he uses to turn hot-air into gold.  The only farming he ever seriously did was planting his false doctrine in the fertile soil of neglected minds. The only serious cattle raising he has embarked on was herding  people like cattle.  He only plays at farming for real.  It is a joke.  The guy has no qualms about playing with words and being deceptive like that.  He does it on the air.  "I never beg,"  My rear end. 
 
There is a reason that they are notoriously secretive about the financial affairs of the Chapel and absolutely refuse to make themselves accountable.  No one has ever seen their financial records, they keep them secret.  You may think that is no big deal, but most churches voluntarily submit and participate in audits designed to show they are fiscally responsible.  The Chapel refuses because they would rather keep their deeds hidden in darkness, so no one knows what they do with all the money, because they refuse to submit to accountability, and since "Arnold never begs"  his numb-minded followers never demand it of him.  Classic cultic behavior. Heil Murray. He does not take a dime for teaching.  Says, "Don't trust me," and "check me out"  but no, you cannot look at our financial records.  Nothing wrong with that?
 
Arnold Murray never asks for money and teaches God said not to bring a begging bag, which he did. 
 
You asked me "have you not read"  but then you go on and demonstrate that you definitely have not read. 
 
Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
 
There is your "begging bag" verse.  First thing that jumps out at me is that Arnold Murray has many coats and displays himself on TV in a different coat from day to day.  You talk about studying, but you have done very little to NONE on this verse.  You don't just pluck the verse out of context, you plucked a single word out of context. 
 
For one, Arnold has his begging bag out every day, asking for donations every day, the hypocrite.  For two, the word that Murray says means "begging bag" is "scrip" in the King James and Arnold fails to tell you that, later on, Christ changed his orders on that item. 
 
Luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
 
Jesus never mentioned the "coats" again, but he specifically mentioned the "scrip." Jesus said now was time to take your scrip.  So you are wrong.  The fact is that Christ's orders about the so-called "begging bag" were only temporary, they applied to the time when he sent out his disciples.  He sent them out not just to preach but to work miracles. But he did not just say "don't take a begging bag."  He also said other stuff that Arnold conveniently ignores, and truthfully he ignores all of it because he begs for the ministry on a daily basis, and even if he did not personally benefit (and he certainly does).  The fact remains that he has his bag OUT.  Indisputable.  His bag is OUT and OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
 
Arnold Murray not only begs every day he has also pulled a gun out on the air, so he is definitely aware that it is ok to take a sword and a scrip.  So he is clearly an hypocrite who takes money from people while at the same time tries to make you think that no servant of God is worthy of his hire.  The bible clearly teaches that those who labor in the word should make their living from the word. 
 
1Cor 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
 
Suggesting that I am retarded reveals more about the quality of your thought and charity than about my intelligence. Arnold Murray is a cheat who tries to make someone a sinner for collecting money for doing work that people value enough to pay them for. He does the exact same thing, he is a first-degree hypocrite and you believe his thinly disguised bull.  Don't you taste the brown stuff yet?
 
I don't personally make money off my ministry, I told you that.  I spend money on my ministry, and the tiny bit of cash that gets donated barely covers the cost  of the website, and in no way compensates me for my time and labor.
 
Who says that the blessings from God are all material? 
 
I never said that all blessings were material, but you did suggest that my lack of donations was evidence of God's displeasure.  Anyone will easily see that.  If you would like to retract that now, I accept.
 
Were you even taught to read?
 
Honestly, that is the sort of low-blow I have come to expect from Shepherd's Chapel,  what a bunch of exemplary human beings.  I should ask you if you read what your wrote.  Because you seem to have forgotten.  If you went off half-cocked, that isn't my fault. 
 
 What does Moses have to do with that one blind man,
 
Again "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat."  And I said "they that sit in Moses' seat" meaning the scribes and Pharisees. They were the ones who blamed the disabled for disability and they were covetous and greedy too, so they counted those among themselves who were wealthy as being blessed of God.
 
and did they answer that all disabled people were born that way for some sin? That is ridiculous.  
 
You may think it is ridiculous.  But that is because you don't know much about the beliefs of first century people.  That is what they believed: disability was caused by sin.  They believed that if you were disabled, either your parents sinned or you sinned.  And that is basically the way you came at me, basically you said that if I was not  blessed financially, it was because God was not pleased with my work.  And that is the same way that those people believed.  It is a kindred attitude.  You can make whatever you like of it, but your confusion is coming primarily from your lack of information about the historical period of the first century. 
 
You really need to get a King James Bible, read it chapter by chapter, ask God for understanding, and you may just be surprised. 
 
Look, I have a website, Instead of wasting my time, why not inform yourself a little before you go off half-cocked? I mean, I have over a hundred hours of line-by line bible studies from the King James Bible on my website. http://oraclesofgod.org/studies/index.htm  I have set over 70 chapters of the "King James Bible" to music in songs, http://oraclesofgod.org/songs/index.htm I am a former Shepherd's Chapel student. http://oraclesofgod.org/shepherds_chapel_document.htm   I'm guessing you didn't know that either. You don't know what's going on, or you are wasting my time intentionally.  Either way is rude,  You should learn something about your enemy before you step into his lair looking for a fight.
 
 ask God for understanding, and you may just be surprised. 
 
Yeah, I was studying with Arnold Murray for four years (1993-1996, but though ten more years of studying on my own, God showed me Murray was not faithful to the word and was using con-man techniques to dupe people. so in 2007 after years of consideration and silence (and 8 years after I created oraclesofgod.org to promote my music and distribute it for free), I repented of my sins of silence and I added a special page to my website to tell people what I thought of my former teacher and his sins.
 
Do not take your afflictions out on one of the only pastors’ who is willing to tell the real truth, at all costs.
 
That is false.  I'm not taking anything out on Murray for personal reasons or gain.  This has never been personal.  Arnold Murray is a false teacher and that is why I oppose him.  He has done this to himself.  He has it coming.  What exactly has "the truth" cost this man?  By Telling the truth about him, I have lost lots of fans, my music was well received by students of the shepherd's chapel and they donated to me, i lost that, I know I was going to lose that, but I was more interested in the truth. If I was interested in donations I would do like some and try to position myself to replace him after he dies, because his sons lack any charisma.  Arnold is perfectly willing to compromise doctrine to maximize donations.  That is why he hides so much of his teachings when he is on TV (The trinity, the Jews).  He is a coward and a bully.
 
There s no way you could get such an impression of Arnold Murrays’ ministry, and then take donations?
 
If you really want to know then you need to read my story. http://oraclesofgod.org/shepherds_chapel_document.htm
 
Sincerely,
Paul Stringini
 

Emailer's Second Reply:

----- Original Message -----
From: Name Withheld
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 7:39 PM
Subject: Re: Your "ministry"
Not only do you not know what I believe, I don't think you  even know what YOU believe.  I dare you to read The Bible, King James version. from the very befinning, to the very end, in that order.  Ask God for clearance when you get a little confused, and then get back to me.

My Third Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Name Withheld
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 11:47 AM
Subject: Re: Your "ministry"

Thanks for writing, that is just the sort of brilliant retort I have come to rely on from Shepherd's Chapel trained "scholars."  It is a nakedly blatant attempt to run from the discussion.  If you had read my letter no one will be able to tell. I certainly can't.  But thanks for all your help.  Your letter  will make a fine example of the sort of scholarship and wisdom produced by Shepherd's Chapel.

Emailer's Third Reply:

----- Original Message -----
From:  Name Withheld
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 12:43 AM
Subject: Re: Your "ministry"

You said you were disabeled and poor, so I was just trying to help.   (Let me mention again at this time that I do not consider myself "disabled"  I have some physical problems that are recurring and sometimes painful, but not a classic disability.  I have chronic back problems and a broken toe that was never attended to which is painful.  My original point is that we suffer in life and it is not necessarily a sign of God's disfavor) The Bible tells you the way to ask for healing, which totally depends on faith.  As for being poor, if you are TRULY doing Gods' work, he blesses you, so you should not be poor.  I know this from my own experience. I worked for forty five years, and though I have to live on Social Security, whenever I am in need, I am taken care of by God.  I rarely tithe, as I very rarily earn anything.  If I sell something on craigslist and make a little, I tithe on that.  That is directions from God, not some guy trying to make money teaching stuff, and there are many, and they haven't even read The Bible.
 
Also, all wisdom comes from God, not Shepherd's Chapel.

My Fourth Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Name Withheld
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 11:16 AM
Subject: Re: Your "ministry"

Ok, you wrote me about the Shepherd's Chapel. I understand your point, but I still say you are wrong.  I'm taken care of by God too, I have enough to get by, my family never goes hungry, the mortgage is paid, but I have nothing left over, I don't mind being poor, because Christ said the poor are rich in faith.  I'm blessed in many ways but not with money.   

I think living poor has taught me to have faith.  Having to live with and accept the pain from my injuries has taught me as well. Honestly, I am  more interested in being blessed with increased righteousness than with a sound body.  The one donation I mentioned that year covered two thirds of the cost of my ministry. There is nothing wrong with being poor and if you understand that then I don't even know why you wrote me except that you were upset about what I am saying about the Shepherd's Chapel. That was really the issue here.  You keep saying that I don't know you, if that is how you want to be treated, then you should start out by showing me the same kind of respect. You have been presuming things about me from the beginning.
 
 

 

 

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