Getting my Goat

Last night I was winding down when I got home from work and discovered what was intended to replicate a TV talk show by Sid Roth.  (It really was a 28 min infomercial) From reading the website I gather the show is broadcast on cable as well as the internet.  I saw it on the net.

Because the link to the show was on what I sometimes regard as a respectable news source, I decided to give it a shot.  The BS detector went off almost immediately.  This happens when people start calming that "God gave them a message". 

The Bible is something I take very seriously.  I happen to believe that God can give people messages.  I mean that last sentence exactly like I wrote it.  I believe that God can give people a special message or revelation.  If He is, is another matter.

Fortunately we have a two prong test that allows us to test these claims.

• Does the prophetic claim contradict anything in written scripture?
• Does the "sign" or "result" come to pass?

Both Sid Roth and his featured guest Jordan Rubin claim to be Messianic Jews.  That is they say they are religiously both Hebrew and Christian.  I'm OK with that claim and I see no inherent contradiction in it.  Mr. Jordan Rubin claims to be an evangelist/pastor of a Christian church who has, as he claims, been given a special message from God, that is guaranteed to make those who respond "10 times Wiser, 10 times Healthier, 10 times Closer to God".  According to Mr. Rubin and Mr. Roth this can be accomplished in just 10 days after purchasing a "kit" for $69.99.

If the TV show is to be believed, the majority of the material behind the system that God told Mr. Rubin about when he was in India is found in the book of Daniel.  Apparently the special message centers around eating only kosher vegetables and water for 10 days, as well as keeping kosher, intermittent fasting and some other conditions found in the kit that you get for a low, low  price of $69.99, shipping included.

According to Mr. Rubin God hasn't changed his mind about anything and all of the Old Testament requirements are still in effect.  My memory may be a little rusty, but I don't remember anyone paying  to get a special message from God in the OT.  Maybe I just need to be 10 times wiser than I am now.

In fact I know I need to be wiser than I am now.  I propose a test.  I am willing to eat only water and vegetables like Daniel did.  Mr. Roth can pick how much and how often according to the message he says God told him.  I will continue my normal exercise routine, basically a three day a week version of strong lifts 5X5 with some cardio. 

• I am willing to be tested in any independent standardized IQ test before and after the 10 days to see if I am "wiser". 
• We can track my vital health statistics with BMI, blood work, and whatever other scientific methods (echo cardio gram etc) that Mr. Rubin and Mr. Jordan propose.
• The next part about being 10 Times closer to God is more tricky.  I freely admit that I'm not a very good Christian.  Any improvement in this department would by its very nature be a highly subjective.  The proof of improvement therefor needs to be something that is undeniable.  I think a visible miracle preformed at my discretion would suffice.  Mr. Roth and Jordan can name the miracle, walking on water, miraculous healings, lame to walk (I pick the cripple), water into wine etc. 

If they are correct and these things come to pass, I am willing to pay 10 times the cost of the kit, $699.99.  I'm willing to lower my expectation to an improvement in these areas to 5 times where I am now.

However, if they are wrong, I propose we follow the Old Testament to the letter.  Mr. Jordan has already made the claim that this is the correct way to view scripture so I think we should take him at his word.

Deut 18:20-22

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' 

And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?' —  when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously ; you shall not be afraid of him.

NKJV

It's one thing to be a snake oil salesman.  It's another dimension of sleaze when you pretend God told you to do it.  IF God really told you what you claim, He will back you up.  Here is your chance.