Dynamics of Spiritual Deception

How could students from Evangelical homes be so easily drawn into the new doctrines of Flock? It should be understood that the process of indoctrination was gradual. Pastor Tabor would subtly speak of some aspects of a new doctrine. Usually a significant minority reacted negatively. His response to this negative feedback was to pull away, variously saying, “I didn’t mean it that way.” “The Spirit is not yet clear enough.” “We must not prejudge until there is greater clarity.” “Let’s put this on the back burner because I am not yet sure if I spoke correctly.” These responses would satisfy the critics. Amazingly, however, prophetic words and vivid dreams would confirm the message over the weeks to follow. Later the pastor would again teach the doctrine with new aspects. This time fewer would object. People began to see how it could be so; thus they got used to the idea. Again there would be a partial pullback. After several times of putting forth a teaching and pulling back, along with many months of apparent prophetic confirmation, eventually almost everyone accepted the doctrine. Those who could not left the congregation. Because of the closeness of the community which developed, there was a great social pressure to see it Pastor Tabor’s way. He was not a strong, domineering leader; yet the pressure was great. If a person did not accept the doctrine, he would lose his friends and the affirming sense of closeness in community. Because doctrine slowly evolved with a pulsation of putting forth and withdrawing, people became desensitized to the most radical points of view. They got used to the ideas. It was like the proverbial frog: if dropped in boiling water, he would jump out immediately. Yet when put into a pot which was slowly brought to a boil, the frog would become accustomed to the gradual increase in temperature and would do nothing. Another important dimension was the view of, and attitude toward, Evangelicalism and fundamentalism. Both were characterized as dead, legalistic, and intellectualistic at best – a cancer or gangrene at worst. Some students were bitter over legalistic backgrounds and quite negative toward Wheaton, their parents, and their home congregation. These students became influential in the direction of the congregation through the prophetic flow. They would share their prophetic sense with Pastor Tabor, who referred to it as confirmation of his teaching.