Jesse Morrell

I have been following Jesse Morrell's preaching and teaching for some time now. I understand that his view on Salvation is different from that which is most popular in evangelical circles.

This is (and I am open to correction) a lowdown on the teachings of Jesse Morrell.

1. He does not believe in Original Sin (like Leonard Ravenhill and Charles G. Finney) in as far as Original Sin is defined as born sinful (sinner by virtue of birth)
2. He believes in the Moral Governmental Theory of Atonement (like John Miley, Charles G. Finney, William Booth of Salvation Army)
3. He believes in living out a holy life (like any Christian on the planet).
4. He believes in Open theism (parts of the future are left open and God responds)

All of these can indeed be called outside the majority view of Christianity. However it is important to know that
1. Original Sin has never been accepted by the Greek Orthodox Church - one of the reasons for the East West Schism of the Roman Catholic Church way before Reformation.
2. The Penal Substitutionary Theory of Atonement that is the most popular evangelical teaching today was unheard of for the first 1000 years following the birth of Christ and none of the apostles nor early church fathers nor early theologians imagined such an Atonement. They all correctly followed the Ransom Theory of Atonement with the unfortunate (and incorrect) understanding that we are ransomed from the devil. Rather Scripture teaches that we are ransomed from the Old Covenant law and from sin.
3. We all believe in living out holy lives
4. I do not personally believe in Open Theism. However I do not think this is something to break a hand of fellowship over. Personally I believe in Middle Knowledge (beautifully explained by William Lane Craig).

Calvinists hold a high view of the Sovereignty of God and some are willing to make God so soveriegn as to make him the author of sin.
Arminianists hold a high view of the Holiness of God and are willing to allow God such a level of holiness as to remove some degree of sovereignty.

Most people who do not accept our views are called unteachable or blamed for knowingly teaching heresies. OR they're told that these contradictions (inconsistencies) are a mystery. OR they're told that these things are spiritually discerned and rational thinking will never help us understand these mysteries.... Maybe we are the ones who're unteachable, trying to hold contradictory teachings together under the guise of them being mysteries, or I can understand since Im more spiritual than you...........Maybe just maybe we're the ones who're wrong

Jesse Morrell was banned by the moderators from this forum for legitimate reasons.

Eli Brayley used to be acquainted with Jesse Morrell, and he pleaded with him to repent of his heretical doctrines.

I encourage you to peruse Eli's website - he presents the truth of the gospel, in the light of which Jesse's doctrinal views are shown to be unbiblical:
http://www.timothyministry.com/2015/05/top-10-posts-to-get-started.html

I'll flag up Eli's testimony as well - it's incredibly powerful, and formative in shaping his understanding of Scripture. I encourage you to read them:

(i) http://www.timothyministry.com/2010/05/about-eli.html

(ii) http://www.timothyministry.com/2013/01/my-experience-in-revivalism.html

May we come to a fuller understanding of the grace and truth which Jesus came to give us - freely!

Jesse often beguiles many Christians because of his zeal and the fact that he takes a strong stand in promoting holiness and righteous living (as did Charles Finney who is one of his heroes). I applaude him on his biblical stand for repentance and holy living. However, his theology, especially soteriology are so heretical that I personally don't even consider him to be a born again believer. I know that many on this forum deny the doctrine of original sin. Perhaps it would be more understandable to think of it as each person born into this world is separated spiritually from God and lives in darkness. This is not to suggest that unsaved persons practice evil exclusively. They can do good things as well but they have no life or light in themselves and are "dead" and unless they receive new life in Jesus, are headed for destruction. I don't know why this is so hard to understand or accept. Maybe they reject the doctrine because it has been communicated as "total depravity" and because even unsaved people can exhibit morality perhaps even most of the time, people reject it. By the way, I am not a Calvinist. Jesse Morrell and Charles Finney his mentor formed their theology as a reaction against hyper-Calvinism. They went in the extreme opposite direction. Calvinism overemphasizes the sovereignty of God. Pelagianists overemphasize the ability and free will of man. Both are extremes.

http://www.puregospeltruth.com/the-heretical-theology-of-jesse-morrell-of-open-air-outreach.html

-Daniel

Edit: I just wanted to add that I do not believe that babies or children who die without Christ are headed to hell. I believe that God recognizes that they did not have time to find life in Christ or can't fully understand the gospel fully even if they were exposed to it and therefore God does not perdition them to Hell. I do believe in the doctrine of "age of accountability" which is hinted at in the scripture but is not clearly stated.

True Witness,

I appreciate the way in which you explained "original sin": "It is more understandable to think of it as each person born into this world is separated spiritually from God and lives in darkness."

Denial of the doctrine of original sin is usually tied to a misunderstanding of what biblical repentance is about.

Biblical repentance isn't about trying to stop sinning, so that we will be worthy to accept Christ and receive salvation. That, at its core, is just salvation by works - the work of stop sinning.

Biblical repentance is about turning to Jesus, because we simply cannot stop sinning and lusting. And Jesus cleans us up, as in the parable of the prodigal son. Our spirits are regenerated, we become new creatures and receive power to be children of God (John 1:12)... this is the meaning of 'born again'.

A careful consideration of the Greek and Hebrew words for repentance ('metanoia' and 'shub', respectively) also underlines this doctrine of repentance.

This is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. We must never compromise on it.

The short version:

Do you clean up before you come to Christ, or do you come to Christ and He cleans you up?

I believe the parable of the prodigal son is a concrete illustration of the answer.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Rom 3:23.

That is what separates humans from God. Merely being born separates no one.

Hi TMK,

The rest of Romans, particularly Chapters 6 to 8, speaks of a principle of 'sin' which governs us.

I think Watchman Nee's "The Normal Christian Life" gives a good exposition of Romans. The key to understanding Romans which he offered was that:

(i) 'sins' (plural) refer to deeds;

(ii) 'sin' (singular) refer to a principle which rules our body.

That is, 'sin' is the source of 'sins'.

For me, these were doctrines which I had either resisted, or had not made up my mind... until one day God opened my eyes to the truth of the gospel. On that day, I experienced freedom from sin in a very real way.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ - it really works!

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Each person born into the world is "in Adam" and is "dead" to God spiritually and then later will experience physical death. Birth didn't cause separation because no person was ever connected to God or had life-giving relationship before receiving salvation and regeneration in Christ. Adam caused the separation of humanity from God. Everyone descended from him (which of course is everybody) inherits this separation, darkness and spiritual death.

A lot of people don't want to believe that what Adam did has anything to do with us except to say he was a bad example. Adam's sin caused a spiritual blindness that extends to all his descendants. People get uncomfortable with us being doomed because of what Adam did because it seems so unfair. But God made a remedy for our hopeless situation by sending Jesus! It would be unfair if God had not made provision for salvation and deliverance through Jesus. But thank God He did!

-Daniel

Brother Chris,

I very much appreciate the humble- teachable spirit with which you have entered into this discussion, I have no doubt the Lord will bless it by revealing the truth of His spirit on all these subjects:)

For the record; most of what you listed as Jesse's beliefs are what I found to be true when studying out the scriptures. I believe Holy Spirit bares witness to my spirit that these are true. I suppose that makes me a heretic by many standards tho', I believe the areas where I have misunderstood, He will show me and teach me.

Blessings to you in your fellowship with Him:)

//A lot of people don't want to believe that what Adam did has anything to do with us except to say he was a bad example. Adam's sin caused a spiritual blindness that extends to all his descendants. People get uncomfortable with us being doomed because of what Adam did because it seems so unfair.//

It is all a very moot point because everyone sins.

I really don't understand all the controversy about "original sin" on this basis alone.

I agree that Adams fall gives everyone a bent toward sin. But no one is a sinner until they sin. And sin they do, at a right young age. If anyone can point out someone who has not sinned, raise your hand.

I think we need to end this thread and talk to Jesse directly.

He is a brother and public debates are not appropriate.