Anne Graham Lotz is now the next Chairman of the National Day Of Prayer, having received a ” Prayer Mantle of Leadership” from her predecessor, Shirley Dobson. An interesting choice of words, “Prayer Mantle.” We Christians tend to use a lot of words that can leave those who don’t share our faith scratching their heads. But “mantle” is one of those words that tend to be used by a subset of Christians, and that word can and should cause more than a head scratch.
Are there biblical mantles?
Yes. In the Bible, mantles are mentioned in relationship to Old Testament prophets, who wore mantles (usually a cloak wrapped around their shoulders) as a sign of their calling from God:
The prophet’s mantle was an indication of his authority and responsibility as God’s chosen spokesman (2 Kings 2:8). Elisha was not confused as to what Elijah was doing; the putting on of his mantle made his election clear.
Some theologians see the mantle as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. For example, in 2 Kings 2:14 Elisha takes the mantle that had “fallen” from Elijah, similar to how Jesus received the Spirit “descending” on Him at His baptism (Matthew 3:16). . source: Got Questions
Mantles today?
These days the subset of Christians who would use this term are those who believe that the office of the Prophet is alive and active today. That subset is the growing number of Christians involved in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a dominionist movement that is quite dangerous. We’ve compiled a fast-facts White Paper on NAR Dominonism here.
Why are so many preachers now talking about mantles? We hear them figuratively “bestowing a mantle on the next generation,” like Hillsong’s Christine Cain did at Passion 2015, or Saddleback’s Kenny Luck talking about last March. Kris Vallotton got the “Mantle of Jesus Christ.” More recently, some NAR leaders bestowed a mantle of government on Donald Trump. These leaders are not looking for the Kingdom of God to come; they’re building their own right here on earth, and appointing themselves as divine leaders.
So when Anne Graham Lotz received her mantle from Mrs. Dobson, what was she getting? Was it a figurative way to say that someone “passed the baton of leadership” to her, or does “mantle” mean something else? Given the number of mantles floating around in Christendom these days and knowing what they are ultimately for, I don’t think this mantle is a simple baton. Do you?
See also:
- LOTZ … Of Nonsense
- Open Letter to Anne Graham Lotz Regarding The Circle Maker
- Christian celebs want to unite the Body of Christ with…wolves?
- Anne Graham Lotz and Her Narcissistic Interpretation of the Transfiguration by Erin Benziger
- Betrayed with a kiss: Azusa Now’s One World Religion
Kingdom Now heresy is spreading like wildfire throughout Churchianity. Who knows anymore what it could possibly mean, the compromise and apostasy is so great words have lost their meaning. It’s dizzying the speed in which error has engulfed for what passes for the church.
I think words like ‘mantle’ are used to sound spiritual. When Shirley Dobson took on the job she said she had the task of calling the nation to prayer with just $6000. It does not take any money. We as believers are urged freely in the NT to pray without ceasing. There is no suggestion of calling nations to prayer at all. And she prayed for months to find out who God would ‘anoint’ for that ministry!?! Again it sounds good to those who are less sceptical than me. And who would question it if someone has been ‘anointed by God’? I wonder where are the men. Or why not a lesser known name. Or does God only ‘anoint’ famously named people to ministries. Thankfully God does use nobodies like me (and my husband) to fulfil his work. To go, preach the gospel, teach, baptise, equip, encourage, comfort, build up believers. These are the tasks given to the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s a club, with socialites, private jets, a business. With the same players always showing up. Funny how the apostles with a few copper coins did so much. In age of persecution they did more to spread the truth than 21st century “mantle bearers” with a cadre of staff, limos, jets and padded bank accounts do spreading a watered down, compromised version of the truth. The hypocrisy has no bounds!
Amen brother! Paul didn’t even want money or material benefits if it meant that the gospel might be compromised. He knew the spirit would take care of him and of his gospel:
https://followingjesuschrist3.com/2014/11/14/teachers-preachers-and-wealth/
Yes. With less, much less, those men transformed the world!
Thank you for the link! Amazing the power of God. Two thousand years later man thinks he can do a better job, so sad.
First, I don’t believe the “office” of prophet has ever existed, nor does the office of any other gifted Christian exist whether he be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd or teacher. The word office is not in the original manuscripts and leads to the false notion that some Christians can be “over” other Christians. (this lie has led to many problems within the body such as (clergy and laity distinctions) that have no scriptural warrant- and yes, the issue of a governing body of apostles and prophets who “rule” over other lesser Christians found within the NAR. Despite the use of the words “office” and “rule” in our modern English Bibles, we all know what these words represent and it isn’t the equality all Christians share regardless of their particular gifts and God given roles within the family.
Any group of Christians who willfully segregates believers into these camps has contributed and continues to contribute to the false authority structures within the NAR and its false doctrines. Had we as Christians simply exemplified the Biblical command to meet with one another simply and share our mutual gifts as the Spirit led without having to name it (our pastor) and claim it (our church) just as the NAR and Word Faith folks do, this world and its patrons wouldn’t be so confused. Who taught this world that the church is the place on the corner where Christians are obligated to meet and worship God? We did, despite our constant claim that the church is the body of Christ.
Secondly, and in relation to “these” building their own kingdoms right here on earth- shouldn’t we take a little closer look into our own backyards? Every Christian who attends or donates money or their time into a religious institution is doing the same exact thing. That’s the reason we call it and him “ours’ because we’re not like “them” but special in our own right.
In my opinion, the only real faithful Christians are those whose allegiance is to Christ alone. No man who supports and helps build an earthly religious institution ruled by a religious hierarchy can possibly nor honestly make that claim. And we wonder why these hirelings are falling one after another and compromising more by the hour.
You ain’t seen nothin yet…….
This smacks of “the deeds of the Nicolaitans” (Revelation) where the ‘clergy’ has conquered the ‘laity’. In plain English: the ‘church’ leaders hover at a level high above the sheep in their hierarchical pyramid devised by man and money, where they ‘lord it over them,’ and ‘fleece the flock’ while gleaning adoration, esteem, and self importance. All of it is false and not from the Lord. The true church operates the New Testament way. For more info., see a site called fanatic for Jesus and see the categories, and another called new jerusalem chronicle and go to the link ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ and all will become clear.
Keep reading the bible and these disparities will be blatantly obvious. No one is exempt from the biblical mandates.
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.” Matthew 23; 8
Its obvious!! The mantle or definition does come from the Old Testament and infers great authority given only by the Lord and passed to the successor as Issac blessed Jacob and so forth with his passing of one man to another in the Power of God.
It also is subtling setting up a structure or hierarchy of elitism favoring persons over and average Christian commonly referred to as the little people.
It also defies the notion of the lowly and unseen as being lesser than, rather than viewing them as the greatest of all.
For Christ said to be great in His Kingdom you must be the servant of all, not with great acclaim and honor of personhood.
It is the great APOSTASY and ANTICHRIST debuting in no other than the modern day Christian churches, substituting the real gospel for another, substituting old testament language to new testament language changing the entire gospel message and culture to something else man made and designed in Hell.
We are here!! and the New Church has risen.. A bunch of Kiss up leaders, back scratching each other and telling the world and the present church how great they are..Lifting up themselves and giving honor to their chosen versus shepherding the sheep.
Its Hell itself, and I couldn’t rebuke the hierarchy and everyone of them who is in this hierarchy blessing it rather than sharply rebuking it.
I have no respect but harsh rebuke and great judgment. However, I welcome it, because Gods word says it must come, and it is He who sits on the Throne that has sent this sprit of error and great judgment to the House of God…
Well said Tim, we are truly seeing The Great Apostasy unfurling before our eyes! As there is coming g an antichrist there’s an antichurch, Babylon is here. That’s why there’s a great exodus from it, as God said……come out of her my people.