Perry Stone is an American televangelist, author, and Bible teacher known for his emphasis on biblical prophecy, end-times teachings, and spiritual warfare. He is the founder of Voice of Evangelism Outreach Ministries, based in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has a significant following through his television program "Manna-Fest" as well as his books and speaking engagements. Stone is popular in charismatic and Pentecostal circles and often presents himself as an expert on biblical prophecy and eschatology, teaching on topics such as the rapture, the tribulation, and spiritual warfare.
Why Perry Stone Should Be Regarded as a False Teacher and Avoided
1. Promoting Speculative and Sensational Eschatology
Perry Stone is well-known for his sensational and often speculative teachings on end-times prophecy. He frequently presents his interpretations of current events as fulfillments of biblical prophecy, suggesting that he has special insight into how these events connect to Scripture. This approach leads many to believe that Stone has an extraordinary understanding of God’s prophetic plan, which can lead to fear, confusion, and misplaced trust in his interpretations rather than in the clear teachings of Scripture.
The Bible warns against speculating about the details of end-times events or claiming special knowledge that goes beyond what God has revealed. Jesus Himself said, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only" (Matthew 24:36). Scripture encourages believers to live in a state of readiness and obedience, not to become obsessed with speculation about end-times events (2 Peter 3:10-14). By promoting speculative teachings that often go beyond Scripture, Perry Stone leads people away from a balanced and sober approach to biblical prophecy and encourages them to be more focused on the sensational than on living faithfully in the present.
2. Twisting and Misusing Scripture to Fit His Prophetic Agenda
Perry Stone frequently takes Bible passages out of context to support his eschatological teachings and interpretations. He often uses obscure Old Testament passages or prophetic imagery to make connections with modern events, claiming that these connections reveal hidden truths about the end times. This approach results in a mishandling of Scripture and a distorted understanding of God’s Word.
The Bible calls teachers to "rightly handle the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) and warns against those who twist Scripture to suit their own purposes (2 Peter 3:16). Proper biblical interpretation requires examining passages within their original context, understanding the author's intent, and interpreting Scripture with Scripture. By ignoring these principles, Stone leads his followers into a confused and often sensationalized understanding of God’s Word, which can cause people to be led astray by false or misleading teachings.
3. Teaching Unbiblical Concepts About Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance
Perry Stone often emphasizes spiritual warfare, deliverance, and the believer’s authority over demonic forces, presenting teachings that are not supported by Scripture. He frequently encourages believers to engage in practices such as "binding" demonic powers, "breaking generational curses," and performing ritualistic prayers to gain spiritual victory. While spiritual warfare is a biblical reality, Stone's teachings often go beyond what Scripture instructs, leading to practices that resemble superstition or man-made traditions rather than biblical commands.
The Bible instructs believers to "put on the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) and to "stand firm" against the schemes of the devil, relying on God’s strength and the power of His Word (Ephesians 6:10-18). Nowhere does Scripture teach that Christians have the authority to "bind" demons or "break" generational curses in the way Stone describes. By promoting unbiblical practices and rituals, Stone encourages a view of spiritual warfare that is rooted in human effort and mysticism rather than in faith and reliance on Christ’s finished work on the cross.
4. Promoting the Prosperity Gospel and Word of Faith Teachings
Perry Stone often teaches elements of the Prosperity Gospel and Word of Faith theology, suggesting that God desires believers to experience material wealth, physical health, and success. He frequently emphasizes the idea that by speaking words of faith or giving financially to his ministry, believers can "unlock" blessings and prosperity in their lives. This message appeals to human desires for success and comfort, but it is inconsistent with the teachings of Scripture.
The Bible warns against the love of money and teaches that the Christian life often involves suffering, trials, and sacrifice. Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19). Paul reminded Timothy that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils" (1 Timothy 6:10) and that believers are called to pursue godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6). By promoting a message that equates faith with financial prosperity, Stone leads people away from the true Gospel and encourages them to pursue material wealth rather than eternal treasures.
5. Encouraging an Experience-Driven Faith Over a Christ-Centered Gospel
Perry Stone's teachings often emphasize supernatural experiences, prophetic encounters, and miraculous signs as evidence of God’s presence and power. This experience-driven approach encourages believers to seek after emotional highs, supernatural manifestations, and personal revelations rather than focusing on the objective truth of Scripture and the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross.
The Bible teaches that true faith is rooted in the knowledge of God’s Word, not in personal experiences or emotions. The apostle Paul wrote, "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). While God can and does work in miraculous ways, a mature faith is grounded in Scripture and seeks to grow in knowledge, understanding, and obedience to Christ. By promoting an experience-driven faith, Stone leads people into a form of spirituality that is shallow, unstable, and prone to deception.
Conclusion from Scripture
The Bible repeatedly warns believers about false teachers who distort the truth and lead others astray with sensational teachings, unbiblical practices, and misleading interpretations. The apostle Paul warned that "the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" (2 Timothy 4:3). Perry Stone’s teachings, which emphasize speculative prophecy, experience-driven faith, and prosperity theology, align with messages that deviate from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself warned against false prophets who would arise and deceive many, saying, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). True teachers of God’s Word will always point people to Christ, call them to repentance, and uphold the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. In contrast, Stone’s teachings often distract from the core message of the Gospel and lead people to focus on personal experiences, material wealth, or speculative theories.
For these reasons, based on the authority of Scripture, Perry Stone should be regarded as a false teacher, and his teachings should be avoided. Christians are called to "test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and to remain grounded in the truth of God’s Word, which is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
The true Gospel is about repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and the transforming power of God’s grace. It calls believers to live lives of holiness, obedience, and submission to the Lordship of Christ, not to pursue speculative prophecies, material wealth, or experience-driven faith. Therefore, believers should reject Perry Stone’s teachings and remain faithful to the unchanging truth of God’s Word, which alone offers the way to eternal life and true spiritual growth in Christ.