Bible Belt Blogger: God's private detective

Frank Lockwood

For as long as anybody can remember, spiritual con-artists have ripped off the faithful, preying on the sick, the elderly, the lonely and the desperate. They offer miraculous cures. They promise financial windfalls. They live in oceanside mansions and fly in private jets -- and pay their multi-million-dollar mortgages with nickles and dimes sent by devout social security recipients.

It's the ugly side of evangelical Christianity. The government is loathe to monitor the abuse because of first-amendment concerns. Many religious groups are unwilling to intervene. But there is one organization that is successfully exposing spiritual chicanery -- the Dallas-based Trinity Foundation.

Ole Anthony, a prophet with a private detective's license, has successfully exposed the shenanigans of Robert Tilton, W.V. Grant, Benny Hinn and Larry Lea. I am visiting the Dallas headquarters of Anthony's Trinity Foundation an organization and learning about their work. They not only expose spiritual fraud, they also run a ministry for the homeless and publish "The Wittenburg Door" which bills itself as "The World's Pretty Much Only Religious Satire Magazine."

Over the years, it has offended just about everybody. "We named Beavis and Butthead theologians of the decade and we were canceled in every Christian bookstore in the free world and we still are," Anthony told me.

The Door was the first publication in the history of Evangelical Christianity to publish a nude centerfold -- a picture of W.V. Grant's harry backside which was snatched from the Pentecostal preacher's trash can. Borrowing the Playboy format, it included Grant's age (51) measurements (50-inch waist) and turn-ons: ("feet tickling, long sermons, chastisement followed by gentle touch.")

"Half the church world thinks I'm the anti-Christ personified," he said. The criticism seems to amuse Anthony.

The pipe-smoking, 67-year-old activist has a toll-free hot-line. People who have been harmed by shifty spiritual advisers can call 1-800-229-VICTIM. So far, Anthony has opened files on more than 400 preachers nationwide. He often collaborates with journalists to help expose ministerial misdeeds, including "Prime Time Live," Dateline, 60 Minutes, The New York Times, The Washington Post and BBC.

Because Anthony is now something of a celebrity (he was written up in a lengthy and glowing New Yorker profile), his name strikes fear in the heart of many. He's now able, sometimes, to help victims recover their money. Preachers would rather refund the donation than have to deal with Anthony. Evangelist Robert Tilton sued Trinity Foundation, repeatedly, without success.

Anthony says he's been offered bribes -- $100,000 a month for his ministry -- if he'll just stay quiet. "Five million dollars cash -- if I'd disappear."

But he's not going anywhere, he says.

Anthony lives simply. In exchange for his work, he receives $55 per week, plus room and board. He lives in a quiet neighborhood in east Dallas, a simple house that he shares with the homeless. His office smells of smoke cinnamon-apple-scented candles -- which he burns to help mask the tobacco stench. A love bird named Peeper peers over Anthony's shoulder. Beneath his feet his springer spaniel, Princess, keeps watch, growling at visitors. On the radio, NPR's "Car Talk" chatters. A fan whirls overhead. The office has bookshelves ten-feet high or taller, packed with the writings of the early church fathers, theologian Karl Barth, historian Josephus and the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. There are Bibles -- well-worn -- but also a copy of the Koran, a book on Kabbalah, and scholarly treatises on Buddha, Confucius and Hinduism.

The investigator has no savings account, no private health insurance, no retirement plan. "When we started, we had to live with the poor -- that means in all ways."

Anthony doesn't worry about living on the edge -- financially or anywhere else. "If there's a safety net, there's no faith," he says. "You have to life on the knife edge between soul and spirit."

Many of the employees have taken a vow of poverty.

Anthony says Christians should be skeptical of evangelists who claim to be speaking for God -- especially if they want you to write them a check. Quoting an ancient Christian discipleship manual, Anthony says, "If somebody comes to you in the name of God asking for money, shun him. He's a false Apostle."

Archived Comments

Ole Anthony is a hero of mine, based largely on my reading of his New Yorker profile, and this is a great discussion of his ministry and life. Not many people seem able to use humor in religion.

Another New Yorker article about religion ties in with this one, and has a Lexington tie as well: The New Yorker, within the last few years, also ran a piece about the brother of Lexington minister Byron Jessup, who (the brother, not Byron) was prosecuted and convicted of mail fraud by the federal authorities in the 1950s or '60s, and as a result had to agree not to engage in any form of ministry for the rest of his life.

The article refers to Byron Jessup presiding over a family gathering and saying the blessing over the food because his brother interpreted even saying a blessing as violating his court order.

Posted by Caleb Powers | July 22, 2006 at 03:31 PM

Amazing story, Frank. What a fascinating guy.

Posted by: Scott Elliott | July 23, 2006 at 11:57 PM

Ole Anthony is a hero to many of us who grew up in Kentucky and viewed evangelists in tent spectaculars as a child. They were mesmerizing and left the local pastor sounding mild and well mannered as we read our tiny New Testaments (won by memorizing all the bible books.)

Posted by: Pat | July 29, 2006 at 01:00 PM

I just saw your piece, "Man on a mission to root out false prophets," online. I used to be a member of Trinity Foundation myself. I wonder if you realize that not everybody--especially many former members--has such a glowing view of Trinity. My wife and I left the foundation in 2000, and she has since written a book about our experiences: I Can't Hear God Anymore: Life in a Dallas Cult. You can read about it on our website, at www.dallascult.com

Posted by: | July 30, 2006 at 07:56 PM

Here is a person trying to make a Buck of her version of the events.. she lost my credibity by her visible greed for money..

" I just saw your piece, "Man on a mission to root out false prophets," online. I used to be a member of Trinity Foundation myself. I wonder if you realize that not everybody--especially many former members--has such a glowing view of Trinity. My wife and I left the foundation in 2000, and she has since written a book about our experiences: I Can't Hear God Anymore: Life in a Dallas Cult. You can read about it on our website, at www.dallascult.com

"In the fall of 2002, my life was deeply impacted when my mother and father both died within a three-week period. Then I lost my job after nineteen years in the public mental health field. These losses were compounded by the fact that two years earlier my husband and I had left the Trinity Foundation, which we came to believe was a religious cult. We were still in the recovery process after years of spiritual abuse.

While engaged in grief counseling, my therapist suggested that it might be helpful to write about my cult experience. I nodded politely and said, “Maybe I should,” but I was actually thinking that it was a preposterous idea. How could I write a book while I was still struggling to understand the experience, and especially having a difficult time overcoming the awful shame of having been involved in a cult?

I was overjoyed when I first discovered the Trinity Foundation, a Bible-based religious community in Dallas. I felt that I had finally found a “church” where I could have a sense of belonging. The Trinity Foundation seemed to be a group of sincere believers who were committed to living like the first-century Christians. Most of the members lived on a two-block area in east Dallas. Everyone lived as one big family. The children were home-schooled by designated members and home-cooked meals were eaten together. The New Testament concept of “holding all things in common” was very appealing. I thought I had found a group of believers who were truly living as Christ envisioned.

When my husband and I came to realize that the Trinity Foundation was a spiritually abusive religious cult, all of those feelings were gone. Before, we felt we were involved in a great and meaningful expression of Christianity. After the realization, we were devastated. Both of us had our sense of self wrapped up in the mission of the Trinity Foundation and the lives of its members. When my husband and I left, I felt like an empty shell of a person. There was an overwhelming sense of loss—loss of community, loss of family, loss of faith, and loss of a vision. It was devastating to my sense of who I was and what I believed. My husband and I met through Trinity and he had been involved even before I came. For over eleven years he had worked for the organization as a “Levite,” making only eighty dollars a week. We both tried to come to terms with the futility we felt due to years of living in a religious community of lies.

Doug found a job and enrolled in evening courses to pursue a master’s degree in counseling. As a result, there were many hours when I was alone and lonely. I exchanged e-mails and talked for hours on the phone to Crystal, another former Trinity Foundation member who left around the same time that we did.

In February 2003 Crystal was admitted to the hospital unconscious and in critical condition. I visited her at the hospital during the next four days while she clung to life. One morning, I was deeply distressed and I cried because I could not remember all the details of Crystal’s experience with the Trinity Foundation and her struggle to leave the community. She had not regained consciousness since her admission to the hospital, and I realized I might never have the opportunity to talk with her again. After Crystal died, I found an e-mail she had written two years earlier that read, “ Maybe you should write a book–not of anger, but of enlightenment. Who knows [but] that it might be a source of healing for others?” It was then that I knew I had to write this book.

Since I began the research process for this book, I have located people who were members of the Trinity Foundation during its early days in the late 1970s and early 1980s who were willing to be interviewed on tape, as well as some who left Trinity Foundation within the last ten years. The former members all expressed a common theme of spiritual abuse suffered at the Trinity Foundation. Their stories were compelling and haunting.

My hope is that this book can provide spiritual healing to former members of cults and help others understand how “normal” people can get caught up in cult-like groups. This story can prevent others from falling into the grip of a religious cult, and encourage those who are involved in one to have the courage to leave. In our society, we are careful to teach and learn about sexual harassment and abuse so that lives are not ruined. Just as importantly, we must warn others of the dangers of religious abuse. Wendy J. Duncan"

The problem I still rightfully have with most TV evangelists, they are mostly still hirelings, prostitutes, falsely begging falsely for money for I have rightfully expected the just to live by faith in God and it is God that supplies their needs, by his means. Ever hear of the humble good fearing man George Mueller the preacher who also actually lived by faith in God to supply all of his needs and never shared his needs with anyone?

http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Voice/George.Mueller.of.Bristol/George.Mueller.of.Bristol.html

(Rev 3:19 KJV) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

(1 Tim 5:20 KJV) Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

(1 Tim 5:21 KJV) I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

(John 2:14 KJV) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

1: Too many preachers too are (1 Tim 4:2 KJV) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

(Rev 3:15 KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

(Rev 3:19 KJV) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

(1 Tim 5:20 KJV) Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

(1 Tim 5:21 KJV) I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

(John 2:14 KJV) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Now do you really read and practice all of the New Testament or just the portions you want too?

For did you study all the verses on how to judge others properly in the Bible or you just quote the one you like? I have read them all many times and yes do note this honest new testament expostion that we are always to judge ungodly behavior of our professing christian brethren while we are not to judge all the the actions of all unbelievers.

(Eph 5:11 KJV) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

(2 Tim 4:2 KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

and what does reprove mean? Ignore their sins? certainly not

(Luke 12:57 KJV) Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

(John 7:24 KJV) Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

(1 Cor 5:12 KJV) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

(1 Cor 6:2 KJV) Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

(Mat 18:15 KJV) Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

(1 Cor 6:3 KJV) Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

(1 Cor 6:4 KJV) If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

(1 Cor 6:5 KJV) I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

(1 Cor 10:15 KJV) I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

(1 Cor 11:13 KJV) Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

(1 Cor 11:31 KJV) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

(1 Cor 14:29 KJV) Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

These ample verses are clear about appropriate judgments of other belivers that we should make.

(Mat 5:25 KJV) Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

(Luke 19:22 KJV) And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

(John 5:30 KJV) I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

(John 8:15 KJV) Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

(John 8:26 KJV) I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

(John 12:48 KJV) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

it is sad to me that some really seem to take an ostrich approach and twist the Bible verses too..

(Mat 18:15 KJV) Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

How can I ask my brother to repent of I do not judge him? and do note the above verse about two or there that is so often used out of context.. the context is judging the immoral actions of a brother and sister and it starts with one person asking the other one to repent.. notice as well no proof is required to present, rather proof that you have asked then to repent is what is needed.. is this not so as well?

Posted by: paul | July 31, 2006 at 01:06 PM

I don't get it. How is it you can say we are materialistic and greedy of money? We have published a book exposing the corruption of Ole Anthony and the Trinity Foundation, but that does not mean we have become Word-of-Faith believers. We are members of a mainstream Christian denomination, definitely not Word of Faith. Moreover, we spent our own money to publish this book, and have not even broken even yet. Our only interest is in the truth.

By the way, much of what we say in the book has now been corroborated in a story in a local paper. See http://www.dallasobserver.com/Issues/2006-08-03/news/feature_full.html

Posted by: Doug Duncan | August 02, 2006 at 09:39 PM

Caleb,

Please read more than the New Yorker article. Check out the links to the Dallas Observer article and others.Ole has done some things that I also consider good and he does have a sense of humour. However there is a darker side to this small group. I think it only fair that it be exposed. Many people have been abused by the techniques used by this "watch dog"and his group.

Posted by: john ruttles | August 21, 2006 at 09:43 AM

Recommending Ole Anthony to somebody who's been harmed by shifty spiritual leaders would be like recommending Hannibal Lecter to somebody in need of a good psychiatrist. In other owrds, this man is not who he seems to be, and his motives are not what they seems to be.

Posted by: Brian J. Birmingham | December 13, 2006 at 09:17 AM

Ole and his group are now listed on the rickross cult website. Frankly Frank what say you?

john r

Editor's note: Mr. Ross' website has a list of what he calls "controversial" people including Ole Anthony, Jerry Falwell, James Dobson and Promise Keepers. Blog readers who care to learn more can go to www.rickross.com

Posted by: john | March 05, 2007 at 09:09 AM

I stand corrected Frank. Where on Rick's site did you find the description of Ole as controversial. I could not find it.Do you consider Ole in the same league as the people you just mentioned? I know personally that is difficult to admit that one has been had.

Editor's note: Well, the name of the organization is the Rick A. Ross Institute for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups and Movements.

If you go to the A-Z data base, which lists Anthony, James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Promise Keepers and many others, it states at the top:

"The Rick A. Ross Institute has assembled one of the largest databases of information about controversial groups, some called "cults," and related information on the Internet. The database contains thousands of press articles, court documents, and essays."

It's up to my readers to determine if Ole Anthony is in the same league as, for example, Dobson, Falwell and Promise Keepers. Or better. Or worse.

Posted by: john | March 07, 2007 at 09:45 AM