Weigh Down Workshop

This is what Don Matzat had to say about Weigh Down Workshop.

http://www.wordfm.com/don.html Reflections for
September 15, 2000

Gwen Again

I continue to receive e-mail concerning the heresy of Gwen Shamblin, the author of the Weigh Down Diet and host of the popular Weigh Down Workshops. Here is the information I posted on this page two days ago.

Ms. Shamblin denies the Doctrine of the Trinity. Here is her official statement from her official webpage:

GOD THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
As a ministry, we believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. However, the Bible does not use the word "trinity," and our feeling is that the word "trinity" implies equality in leadership, or shared Lordship. It is clear that the scriptures teach that Jesus is the Son of God and that God sends the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not send God anywhere. God is clearly the Head.

If you wish to read her other doctrinal statements, go to her website [ http://www.wdworkshop.com/home.htm ] and click on "FAQ" and scroll down to the final question.

Here is the article from Christianity Today [ http://www.christianityonline.com/ct/2000/136/51.0.html ] that speaks of the various responses to her false doctrine. Her publisher has refused to publish her latest book. Here's a quote from the article by Ms. Shamblin: "People don't care about this, they don't care about the Trinity" The problem is, every legitimate Christian Church cares about the Doctrine of the Trinity. The early Christians saw this truth as being the benchmark of Christianity and wrote in the Athanasian Creed:

"Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic [apostolic/universal] faith, which except everyone shall have kept whole and undefiled, without doubt he will perish eternally. Now the catholic [universal] faith is this: We worship One God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is One, the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal."

This truth Ms. Shamblin wholeheartedly and without reservation or apology rejects! I have read a great deal of the material on Ms. Shamblin's website. Here is what seems to be happening in this ministry:

Ms. Shamblin came up with a good, Bible-based method for getting the minds of people off of food. The method will work with any specific problem. If we direct our hearts and minds to the Word of God in the midst of any temptation we will disconnect from the temptation. This is basic Bible teaching. It is "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." But, Ms. Shamblin took her teaching beyond biblical parameters and confused salvation with sanctification. She believes that people are saved by not sinning. Salvation is not by grace but as the result of being obedient to God. It seems to me that Ms. Shamblin's popularity has led her to conclude that she is called by God to raise up this remnant of obedient (thin) people. The development of this so-called ministry patterns the development of any cult—and that is what this has become.

As I said at the end of the program two days ago: Do not allow yourself to be influenced by the teaching of any person if you do not know what that person believes. Ask for their doctrinal statements! Remember, there are many wolves in sheep's clothing. Be discerning!

As for Gwen Shamblin—discard her books and tell your friends to avoid her in the same way they would avoid poison.