10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Around December 2008, Steve Lumbley called Doyle Davidson to get Doyle's response or comments on one of his (Doyle's) associates (whom Doyle had appointed to some position of authority I presume at the Water of Life Church of Missouri) who had just pleaded guilty to charges of child molestation.
In addition to the phone call, Steve Lumbley also wrote an article. I have included a link to the original article below as well as an exact copy of the article (in italics).
Link to original article:
http://www.apostasywatch.com/wolves/hurleyguilty.htm
Exact copy of original article:
Davidson associate pleads guilty to child molestation.
A former minister of Water of Life Church and associate of cult leader Doyle Davidson has pleaded guilty in Missouri to one count of statutory sodomy, a second degree felony. Denton W. Hurley of Anderson Missouri entered the guilty plea in state court on Monday December 15. Under terms of the plea agreement Hurley received a four year suspended sentence plus five years of supervised probation. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and enroll in an 18 month sex abuse rehabilitation class. In 2006 Hurley was charged with one count of statutory sodomy and three counts of first degree child molestation when some alarming entries were discovered in the school journal of one of his step daughters. The father of the girls, then aged 12 & 14, spoke with his daughter about the journal entries at which time she admitted that her stepfather, Hurley, had been molesting her. The father then contacted authorities.
When charges were initially brought against him, Davidson assured one and all that Hurley was innocent and would be vindicated by God. Davidson also implied that the wrath of God would be forthcoming against everyone who had a part in bringing what he claimed were false charges against Hurley. In 2007 the paternal grandmother of the victim was diagnosed with cancer. Davidson publically stated that the cancer was God's punishment for her role in bringing an "attack" against Hurley and Water of Life. It is unclear exactly what role the grandmother played except to believe and support her granddaughter. In 2008 Hurley's now ex wife Brandy was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. Once again Davidson told his congregation and television audience that this was a sign of God's judgment upon her.
Hurley had been a minister with Water of Life Church in Anderson Missouri headed by his father Curt Hurley. He also was a regular speaker at the Water of Life Church in Broken Arrow Oklahoma. It not clear at this time whether Hurley is still associated with Water of Life. He has not been listed as a speaker from some time and his name no longer appears among the listing of Water of Life apostles and associates.
Contacted at his office, Davidson's only comment was that he would not judge Denny Hurley, nor would he judge himself. He had no problem however judging me for questioning him about this matter.
Copyright 2008 Steve Lumbley www.apostasywatch.com This article may be reproduced and distributed free of charge as long as it remains in its original form.
What is interesting is that when Doyle was contacted by Steve Lumbley over the telephone to get his (Doyle's) reaction of the unexpected turn of events and the fact that Doyle's public assertions that Denny Hurley would be vindicated had turned out to be embarrassingly false and untrue, Doyle would not admit to or even acknowledge anything but essentially kept calling Steve "a child of the devil", asking Steve "how he would escape the damnation of hell" among other things as his standard answers to Steve's question/s.
According to Scripture, Steve had a right to ask Doyle a reason for his hope which he (Doyle) had publicly stated (that Denny Hurley would be vindicated) which hope was ultimately and embarrassingly crushed.
According to Scripture, Doyle had a responsibility to answer Steve's question/s courteously which he (Doyle) did not do but rather avoided the question/s and essentially turned to insulting Steve.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (King James Version)
15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with MEEKNESS and FEAR:
16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Steve then asked Doyle why it is that no one is allowed to question his (Doyle's) doctrine and in doing so, he (Steve) mentioned that the Bereans (referenced above in Acts 17:10-13) questioned Paul's doctrine by checking Paul out to see if his (Paul's) doctrine was in line with the Scriptures.
Steve also asked Doyle if he thought that he (Doyle) was higher up the scale than Paul since he (Doyle) thought that no one should question his doctrine.
Doyle positively affirmed that no one can question his doctrine.
Doyle also stated, verbatim, "The Bereans were of the Devil."
Steve Lumbley, taken aback by this statement by Doyle (that the Bereans were of the devil) took some time out to quote Doyle's words back to him (Doyle). Steve then said to Doyle, "Oh, the Bereans were of the Devil because they questioned Paul?"
Doyle stated again, verbatim, "That's right!" [solidifying his (Doyle's) statement that the Bereans were of the Devil].
This shows me the depth of the pride, deception and self deception that Doyle walks in.
First that no one can question his (Doyle's) doctrine.
Second, he (Doyle) has placed himself above the Apostle Paul, God's hand picked Apostle to the Gentiles who was willing to subject himself to the scrutiny of his doctrine by the Bereans according to the Scriptures.
Third, he (Doyle) said that the Bereans were of the Devil. This means that Doyle considers anybody who searches the Scriptures to see if the things Doyle teaches are so according to the Scriptures to be of the Devil.
So according to Doyle, searching the Scriptures is essentially of the Devil and even more so if you find in the Scriptures that the things that he (Doyle) is teaching and proclaiming are not so and are in fact contrary to the Scriptures.
God , through the writer of the Book of Acts, called the Bereans noble for searching the Scriptures daily to see if the things that Paul was proclaiming were so.
Since God is not a respecter of persons, anyone who will search the Scriptures to see if the things Doyle (or any other preacher for that matter) is proclaiming is noble as well for doing so.
Paul the Apostle was willing to be checked out according to the Scriptures.
Doyle is not willing to be checked out according to the Scriptures and if you do, according to him (Doyle) you (as the Bereans) are of the Devil.
Doyle has never repented of saying that the Bereans were of the Devil.
This also goes to show me that Doyle actually believes what he said and/or the implications of it.
If you know anything about Scripture, you cannot simply say something that is that out rightly false and dishonest and not notice it or maybe even make an attempt to retract it or correct it.
It is possible though that Doyle does not know much of the Scriptures and consequently who exactly the Bereans were since contrary to the teaching of Scripture, the reading of the Scriptures is not something that is emphasized by Doyle at Water of Life.
Having said that though, there is no excuse for Doyle saying that the Bereans (whoever they were if I should assume that Doyle did not know who they were) ....there is no excuse for Doyle saying that they were of the Devil because they checked Paul the Apostle out to see if the things he proclaimed were so according to the Scriptures. NO EXCUSE. PERIOD.
The very fact that he even said it shows me how far lost Doyle currently is.
God have mercy on Doyle Davidson and those that continue to listen to him and mistakenly believe that he speaks the words of God because he clearly does not speak God's words at all.
Here is an audio of the entire phone conversation between Steve Lumbley and Doyle Davidson that took place around December 2008 or so. It is about 8:36 minutes long.
It is simply amazing to listen to and to hear for yourself the amazing dishonesty, mangling of scripture and utter ridiculousness displayed by Doyle Davidson on that phone call.
----
Anthony.