Warren Cole Smith, Associate Publisher of World Magazine and member of the Board of Trustees at Southern Evangelical Seminary, recently spoke at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, Georgia on the topic of Faith Based Frauds: Financial and Spiritual Frauds Who Have Infiltrated the Evangelical Church.

In this fast-moving presentation, Warren Cole Smith highlights some of the most significant faith-based frauds in American history, looks at the theological flaws that allow these scandals to recur, and provides a prescription for what the Christian church can do to spot and prevent both theological and financial fraud.

It’s a lengthy video but would be time well spent, given the New Testament admonitions to the church to be cautious and discerning with regard to people who ask for financial contributions and claim to speak for Christ.

Apostle Paul “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thess. 5:21)

Apostle John: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1) .

Jesus: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15)… “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

Jesus: “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying I am the Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matt. 24:4-5)

Peter: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;(2 Peter 2:1-4)