Faith

Cultic? Controversial NZ Bishop Plans to Build ‘City of God,’ Complete With 3 Schools & a University

Destiny Church, a fundamentalist, Pentecostal movement based in New Zealand, may not be well-known to many Americans. But the Christian sect is making international headlines after Bishop Brian Tamaki, its founder and current leader, gave an address at the church’s annual conference last Friday evening.

Bishop Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church Sparks Cult Controversy With City Plans

Bishop Brian Tamaki (Image Credit: 3news.co.nz)

According to Fairfax NZ News, Tamaki encouraged followers to leave their lives behind and to join him at a “City of God” that he’s constructing in South Auckland, an area of New Zealand. In asking believers to join him, he purportedly encouraged them to leave behind their families, homes, jobs — everything important in their lives. Fairfax NZ News has more:

At the church’s annual conference in Rotorua on Friday night, Tamaki spent his entire two-hour sermon talking about how God had told him to build the city and why his followers had to lose their “parochialism” towards their home areas, even if it meant leaving behind loved ones.

Cult expert Mark Vrankovich said the speech was designed to “soften up” Tamaki’s followers and the real pressure to move to South Auckland would come with one-on-one sessions with local pastors.

“Saying that the church family is more important than your physical family, that you must go with the spiritual family, is a classic cult idea. This will put great pressure on families and break up families.”

Vrankovich was also concerned that Tamaki appeared to be encouraging people to sell their homes. “They’ll be pressured to give the money from the house sale to the church, and they’ll never see it again. He’s extracting money from people for his dream, and something that he will effectively own. He wants to be mayor or king of this ‘city’ so he’s softening them up to get them to move [to Auckland] so he’s guaranteed not to be losing money on the deal.”

Bishop Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church Sparks Cult Controversy With City Plans

(Image Credit: 3news.co.nz)

But others, particularly those with ties to the church, disagree with this stance and claim that the movement isn’t cultic at all. When it comes to the allegation that the bishop asked his flock to essentially give up their lives, one long-time church member — Janet Wepa — said that Tamaki’s words are being minced. She also fiercely defended her faith.

“I get a bit cross when we get called a cult,” she said. “There is no coercion, no one makes you stay and lots of people come and they go. They have choice.”

Tamaki, too, took to his Twitter account to claim that media accounts of what he preached last week simply aren’t true:

Bishop Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church Sparks Cult Controversy With City Plans

At a New Year’s Eve service this year, Tamaki announced that the church had gained permission to build what he calls a “new Jerusalem,” an area complete with schools, a university, an auditorium and more. The church is apparently so serious about its plans that it has put its current property up for sale in an effort to raise the funds needed to secure this new locality.

The Daily Post has more details about the plans for “City of God”:

Destiny plans to buy up a large block of land to expand the “City of God” beyond the new site in south Auckland. On Saturday night Tamaki unveiled plans for a three-storey, modern complex sprawling over 4ha. The site will include a massive ground floor church auditorium, recording studios, and a performing arts and science centre.

A model showed the complex would house a boxing gym, bookshop, atrium, cafe, early childhood centre, three schools and a university as well as a library. The church would fund the development itself.

Tamaki said the church needed “people power, economic power and generational power”.

While building a university or other Christian facility isn’t uncommon, many, like Vrankovich, see these plans as a grander-scale attempt to build something more structured and — potentially cultic in nature. Tamaki, though, believes he’s on a God-ordained mission, as he says that the Lord spoke to him and instructed him to build this new city through the Book of Hebrews.

ReligionNewsBlog.org has more about its perspective on Tamaki and his movement.

Comments (45)

  • rgalunas
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 4:22pm

    Well I can say something but to make it brief for I know this topic can take a life time. We have the reformation period (Calvin, Geneva), The early church (the book of Acts), the American experience (16th century), and other groups ( Amish ,Menonites …). So I won’t be quick to judge it a cult but I would pay close attention to the details. Meaning the teachings of the leaders to see have grounded they are. I can understand the weak believers in the Scriptures can be misled so this is a good story to follow and watch. I also believe in the last days God will poor out His Spirit on all flesh! ( The book of Joel)…………

    Report Post »  
  • vaman
    Posted on June 11, 2012 at 1:56pm

    Reminds me of every “pastor” of every “mega-church”.

    Report Post »  
  • Injunator
    Posted on June 8, 2012 at 4:54pm

    Many will be mislead MATTHEW 24 in the End Days . . .

    Report Post »  
  • SayNoToTeaBaggers
    Posted on June 7, 2012 at 6:34pm

    He looks like the older mean kid from home alone

    Report Post »  
  • rickc34
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 11:26pm

    I would say that those that follow Obama are a cult. I wonder if these guys are connected.

    Report Post »  
  • Blackman Standing Tall71
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 6:27pm

    Jim Jones comes to mind when i read this article.Can you say cult!

    Report Post » Blackman Standing Tall71  
  • ConservativeCanucklehead
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 4:00pm

    What’s the word for delusional ego-maniac in Kiwi-talk?

    Report Post »  
  • Christ the Lord
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:28pm

    Well, as I have read and Prayed, I Know what I write next is MY FATHERS WORDS. So, Blessed are mTHEE at Destiny. We are The Holy Hell’s, The Celestine Prophecies, THE WORD OF GOD. We are The Body of CHRIST. For that I AM THE CHRIST, Kevin SR. You are The Power and Authority.. thank you to ALL OF YOU. Micheal , AGAIN MICHEAL, MY FATHERS ARCH ANGEL, is REALLY ~ LB. ~. You SEE, Brittany, Jenna, Whinton, or Should I say Whitney Houston, Bon Scott, and John Waynehave ALL PERFECT. I am Done at Last. We are ALL done at Last. No more media for US. We, the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, are complete. we arer done forever. Thank you, I will Serve you, and Bless you Forever, and Foreever.Ameiameia.

    Report Post »  
    • BuzzardSays
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:47pm

      Zowee! That rant was unintelligible. Are you a believer in Jesus Christ as your Savior? If so take your time, breath, and write something that doesn’t make the Body of Christ sound nuts. If not then I understand.

      Report Post » BuzzardSays  
    • ConservativeCanucklehead
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:58pm

      Easy BUZZARD. I think it’s pretty obvious this is literally someone on (off?) medication.

      Report Post »  
  • Master_and_Commander
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 11:59am

    Sure, its important to be around like minded individuals, but I don’t think this is right move for these people to be making. Christians are supposed to live among their fellow countrymen and women for the purpose of witnessing to them, as commanded by God. And God’s Kingdom in heaven is supposed to be the perfect city, we don’t need to go running off and building our own, its almost as if saying to God that what he provides for us isn’t good enough.

    Report Post »  
  • catndahat
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 10:59am

    They said similar things about Ave Maria in Florida and Tom Donahue. If people want to live their, let them.

    Report Post » catndahat  
  • wntrwmn
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:33am

    I’m going to ask a question before I make a comment. How many of you rely on your Minister/Priest and the doctrines of your Church for the truth? I’ll bet that there are far to many of you who are to lazy to read your Bible and see if what your Church is teaching you, IS the TRUTH. Jesus only created ONE CHURCH, not many. I don‘t belong to any religious organization because they don’t follow Christ and what he came here for. Jesus said, If you break one of his commandments, you are guilty of breaking all. Jesus was born a Jew and practiced Jewish law. Saturday Sabbath keeping and all his Holy Days. Mainline churches do not follow all the commandments that Jesus kept. The Bible interprets itself. Read and study your Bible, the truth will set you free. So where does that leave you?
    Standing with Christ or following some man who says God spoke to him? A true Christian will repent first, learn and study the scriptures, seek baptism,(full immersion), then have others of the same mind pray over him and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is a true Christian walk.

    Report Post »  
    • jblaze
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 8:00am

      You almost sound Philadelphian?

      Report Post » jblaze  
    • phillyatheist
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 10:21am

      haha, i guess you were jabbing at me?

      i wasn’t even going to comment on this story, but i’ll throw in my 2 cents. didn’t Jesus advocate the same thing in Matthew 10:34-36?

      Report Post » phillyatheist  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 10:41am

      You are correct. Most Christian churches base their religion on the pagan religion endorsed by Constantine and rubber stamped by the Council of Nicea. What they WANTED to believe was voted upon. Catholic means “universal” and it was the Roman religion. Hence, Roman Catholic church. History records that the protestant churches came from her. Now you know who the Great Whore and her harlot daughters are. This will offend MANY.
      Rev 12:9 Satan has deceived the whole earth ( does NOT mean those who don’t believe.)

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • Leader1776
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 11:49am

      Well said. As a reformed Catholic, this rings quite true. Amazing how many will follow someone’s word or the clothes (robes) they might wear. Certainly a difference between a believer and a follower.

      Report Post » Leader1776  
    • BuzzardSays
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:51pm

      Yes RamonPerston, Even you are susceptible to being led down the primrose path by the raging lion who runs too and fro, looking for someone to devour.
      Every little sin of commission or ommission has a deletarious effect upon the world and is creditted negatively against each account. God the father weeps at each new autrocity(big and small).

      Stop the madness.

      Report Post » BuzzardSays  
  • Hoax And Chains
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 6:47am

    I’ll bet kool-aid is on the cafeteria menu as well… can anyone say “Jim Jones”?

    Report Post »  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:22am

    This guy is our local religious nutcase with a fairly small following. He lives in an expensive house with flash cars and motorbikes while preying on the vulnerable. You can bet that he won’t be selling his own house for the church. Think “moonies” but without the numbers.

    He ordained himself bishop and has tried unsuccessfully to start his own political party. His “church” IS a cult that ruthlessly exploits its congregation. A significant number have left his church in disillusionment and restarted their lives – wiser and poorer for the experience.

    He is mocked and criticised from all sides, but there is not much that can be done as New Zealand‘s relationship with religions is similar to America’s.

    Some people will always be able to be led around by the nose, I suppose.

    Report Post »  
    • In That Day
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 3:46pm

      NZKIWI,

      Thanks for your insight.

      America has many Televangelists who broadcast the following:

      a) There is one God above us all… and,
      b) There is NO UNIVERSAL PHILOSOPHY of Western Civil Society, hence: no Self-Correction.

      I believe that to be wrong. And this NZ Bishop, Brian Tamaki, must believe this same wrong.

      I learned from Dr. Larry Arnn of Hillsdale College, based in Michigan the American Mind of our Founders believed…

      c) There is one God above us all…. and,
      d) There is one universal philosophy, Western Civil Society, which is highly self-correcting, as it holds the “Tragic View” that man is a sinner, it says: ALL LEADERS ARE NOT ANGELS.

      Muslim Extremists believe:

      e) There is one God above us all (named Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet)… and,
      f) There is one universal philosophy, Sharia Law (and all its horrid barbarity!)

      PROGRESSIVES believe (and they run NZ and the USA & the EU)…

      h) There is no God above us all, and…
      i) There is no universal philosophy, other than death to Natural Law, Fixed Constitutions & the Tragic View & any law or proclamation that is not plastic. In other words, aristocrat tyrants rule… AND change the rules at whim!

      Since most of the USA’s broadcast christianity believes “a” & “b” but not “c”, we’re kinda screwed.

      However, it is the job of the West (including NZ, Australia, the UK, etc.) to hold on to the love that conquers all: “c” & “d”.

      Capiche?

      Report Post »  
  • girlnurse
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 2:39am

    “The site will include a massive ground floor church auditorium, recording studios, and a performing arts and science centre”.

    I don’t remember Jesus saying anything about building a nice expensive comfortable place for yourself and friends to hang out. Nope….He did say;

    “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:25

    Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
    ——————————————————————————–
    Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

    “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”. Mark 16:15

    And a bunch of other stuff….but I never heard Him say build a nice comfortable town for Christians to hang out though…

    Report Post » girlnurse  
  • conservativewoman
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 2:26am

    When the preacher is center stage in a church instead of the altar, then you know it is all about him!

    Report Post » conservativewoman  
  • rafa2design
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 1:08am

    All cities/towns at one time were centralized around the local church. It was part of daily life. The Amish still practice this and the Jews do it with the synagogue. If there really was an entire city for God, I’d move there in a heartbeat.

    Report Post » rafa2design  
  • kiwis-in-USA
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 12:57am

    As a New Zealander now living in the USA I can tell you, this lad is a complete nutter but a very shrewd guy. He is a self appointed bishop and has a group of men around him akin to gang thugs. While they do some good with the poor and drug addicted there are many people who have been forced to give to the church and have been told if they dont give they will be expelled from the church. He is a real smooth talker but speaks out of both sides of his mouth. Beware of wolves in sheeps clothing …

    Report Post »  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 1:30am

      Any time a charismatic leader emerges who has spurned the Godly structure of the Church and is answerable to “no one but God Himself” or is called something like “the Man of God for our day and time”, then the foundation for a cult has been laid. These types typically have left a church body over dicipline or doctrinal differences and consequently no longer are in mutual submission to other believers or ministers. Their focus ceases to be upon the Lord Jesus Christ and turns naturally to themselves. People get ensnared because they don’t have enough understanding of the Word to protect themselves from the deception that always accompanies cultic movements.

      Report Post »  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on June 6, 2012 at 12:51am

    “Tamaki, though, believes he’s on a God-ordained mission”
    Yes, like ALL cults.

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
  • On Eagle Wings
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:47pm

    Well, the media twisted everything around as always so you basically have no idea what is truth and what is media hype, so to me this is a non-story until the real truth surfaces

    Report Post »  
  • mrsuperpat
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:37pm

    No the science is pointing to nicotine based insecticides made by Bayer..

    Report Post »  
  • llotus
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:31pm

    I think I remember seeing this movie. It`s been a ong time though. Didnt end too good. Lotus.

    Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:36pm

      I bet he makes a mean tea….

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:10pm

      It wasn’t a movie. It was Jim Jones and it wasn’t tea, it was kool aid.

      Report Post » sillyfreshness  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:49pm

      @SILLY…
      Exactly! I attended a Jones oration in Michigan, once… and it was alike Mass Hypnosis! Creepy!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • mamatango
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 1:28am

      Wow. Sure hope Janet Reno didn’t move to NZ!!!

      Besides, didn’t Jesus Christ already build the New Jerusalem???
      Seems to me He said: I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again and take you unto myself, that where I am you will be also. And John the Revelator saw it descending to Earth.

      Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

      Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:23pm

    Yes, drink it at your own risk. Follow God and know men can lead to evil.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:21pm

    Do not forget, ever forget that Jim Jones and Ghyana. People need to be careful and follow God, not men, for even at their best they have evil in their hearts. Do not ever let people have that much power over you. Read and study the Bible (KJV ) or Scofield and show yourself approved. People start out meaning well, but things get out of hand and others suffer.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • its-a-sham
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:27pm

      Read the bible. That is good. It does not have to be the KJV. To say that the KJV is the only version is to omit over 75% of the world of having access to the bible. The KJV was not written in other languages. It was merely translated into English by the staff of King James. So King James ordering the holy word of God to be translated into English does not make it the ONLY version that is acceptable.

      On another note, where in Hebrews could this clown possible come up with the idea building a new city??? From another part of scripture, “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” Please when reading the Bible, ask the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to open your eyes that you might be saved.

      Report Post »  
    • snooop1e
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:57pm

      BlackyB there is only one true KING and His name is not James it’s Jesus Christ. The King James Bible was written with 2 guiding principles. The first was that it could not in any way contradict the doctrines of the Church of England and Second it had to maintain the Kings English. The emphasis was not on maintaining the Gospel. King Henry made himself the head of the church when he was denied a annulment so he could marry Anne Boleyn and eventually he had his former Chancellor Sir Thomas More sentenced to death and beheaded for refusing to acknowledge both his marriage to Anne Boleyn and King Henry as the head of the Church. Lastly, have you ever seen the original 1611 version of the King James Bible? There are 7 books in there that aren’t in the current version, why is that? God Bless.

      Report Post » snooop1e  
    • Darlie
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 12:27am

      Funny how people with such a poor understanding of the KJV edition always seem to be the ones who spell Bible with a small “b.” The bottom line issue is whether a Bible version has the Textus Receptus as its source or the Textus Vaticanus, the later being the one corrupted by a certain “church’s” ideaology. KJV, New American and a few others use the original Textus Receptus.

      Report Post »  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 2:12am

      Surely we aren’t going to have the old argument about whether the Catholic Bible is better than the KJV? Whatever King James’ motivation was for ordering the translation that became the KJV, the result was a beautifully done work that has withstood the test of time and numerous revisions and even more numerous critics. There are perhaps more textually accurate versions available but none compare in my opinion to the beauty of KJV. There are a few things that occur in the KJV that have been edited out in more “modern’ versions. The use of you and ye; shall and will and the practice of italicizing words supplied to make better English sense that are not in the ‘original’ text are just a few. Insignificant details to many but to some of us, it makes a difference in understanding. Ye is the plural form of you which is no longer used today but was in 1611. The use of “shall” as opposed to “will” is to differentiate between a desire (will) and a legal command (shall). This is a big deal especially when understanding the advent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost.
      I can‘t speak for the Latin Vulgate version because I don’t have one and have not read it. However for anyone who wants to argue the truthfulness of the “older versions”, they should get a copy of the Lamsa Bible as it is translated from Aramaic. Jesus spoke Northern Aramaic; not Hebrew, not Greek and certainly not Latin. The Aramaic speaking believers were some of the most ardent stewards of the Word

      Report Post »  
  • PETTYDRAMA
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 9:55pm

    I hear he just graduated from the University of Beckistan with a degree in Fantasy & Indoctrination. ..LOL!

    Report Post » PETTYDRAMA  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 9:39pm

    The Cool-Aid will be of the grape variety.

    Drink it with caution.

    Report Post » MrButcher  
    • Maxim Crux
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:29pm

      Extra sugar and a whole lot of crap thrown in with it. Run Children…run!

      Report Post »  

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