I know the Duncans and Ole Anthony and consider all the parties to be my friends. That puts me in a very precarious situation, but it also gives me a balanced view of the dispute because I’ve heard from both sides and believe that all have been forthright in expressing their views. This is not a situation where people are lying about one another. However, it does appear that there are wrong impressions, false interpretations, and misunderstandings, as well as real hurts that need to be healed.

This is a situation that, in hindsight, I believe should not have been put out in the public arena because the biblical Matthew 18 process was not followed. Even at this stage in the game, Ole Anthony welcomes the Duncans to sit down and discuss their charges against him. The Duncans were apparently too intimidated to do this in the beginning because the hurt was too fresh, but now having had some time to regroup they need to reconsider and do the right thing.

In the meantime, I think the Duncans should pull the book in obedience to the Bible and not take their complaints to the church at large until they follow through to that final step.

Matthew 18 definitely applies because this is not a case of public teaching that should be publicly refuted, but a case of someone who has ought against a leader in their fellowship. It is also a fact that the Duncans separated themselves from the Trinity Foundation because they felt slighted that Ole and the elders at TFI did not fully approve of them marrying. The doctrinal issues and the reported unbiblical practices were an afterthought after the break was made.

If anyone has any questions regarding Ole Anthony’s beliefs and those of the Trinity Foundation, the elders are open to discuss them with anyone who wants to know. They also informed me that if anyone wants to come to the Trinity Foundation and look at their books or listen to any of their Bible study tapes, they are welcomed and will be accommodated with a place to stay.

If any in Christian media or apologetics ministries judges the Trinity Foundation based on a document that bypassed Biblical criteria, and then report that to others, they too are in breach of Scripture.

Last May I sent my analysis of the book to Doug and Wendy and to Ole Anthony. I had mixed feelings about Wendy’s assessments based upon what I know, having visited the Trinity Foundation several times over the years.  (On a couple of visits to TFI, Wendy was kind enough to put me up in her duplex.)  I think Wendy shared some valid concerns in her book that need to be addressed biblically by going to Ole privately and then by taking along a witness. However, the Duncans want to label the Trinity Foundation a cult and Ole Anthony as a cult leader. I do not think that is valid and I told them my reasons why.

I also told the Duncans that I did not agree that they go to the enemy’s camp for assistance in getting the book published. I do not know where they finally found financial backing, but I do know that they intended to approach TBN and Benny Hinn in particular. I told them at the time that I thought that was a horrifying idea.

This is a result of a root of bitterness that has sprung up and now is defiling many and the enemies of the Gospel are having a big laugh. This is tragic! The Trinity Foundation has done fabulous work against the fleecers of the Lord’s vineyard and only the devil wins when that work is curtailed. Had the Matthew 18 process been followed in the first place, I do not think it would ever have come to this. Corrections could have been made where necessary and long-time friendships could have been preserved.

So I would call upon those who are tempted to take sides in this dispute to keep their opinions out of the public arena until the proper time when the biblical process is complete.

Ole’s Bible studies are available on his website – certainly researchers and writers can comment on those things that are in the public realm. The URL is: http://www.trinityfi.org/ -- Anything there is open to criticism. But the contents of this book is still a private matter.

Please pray for the Duncans and the folks at the Trinity Foundation. Doug Duncan had been a part of that community for more than two decades and the rift has been an emotional blow to many there who thought of him as part of the family. Doug no doubt has many good memories of treasured moments spent there. I’ve seen firsthand how they interacted with each other and shared each other’s burdens. I myself have had the joy of joining them in their weekly love feasts and communion and I wish I could find such an avenue as that to live out my walk with Christ. I have never seen worship services done so beautifully as I’ve seen there – singing so many hymns and spiritual songs based upon the Psalms. I saw a lot of love there.

Unfortunately, they do not share my eschatology and so I could never fit in. And though TFI confesses the essentials of the faith, I have differences of interpretation with their teaching, just as I have differences with Calvinists, Postmillennealists, Amillennealists, Replacement theology, Theonomy, and other isms in Christendom. We don’t need to label any of them "a cult" because they don’t see the Bible quite the way we do. (I’m right and they’re wrong, but that doesn’t mean they’re all going to hell.)

So please keep this situation in your prayers and ask the Lord to bring His correction, healing, and restoration to His Body the Church.

                                                                Peace,

                                                                Jackie Alnor