The Jury is Still Out on Apostle Kathryn Kricks
If you are on social media, you will have seen the numerous posts critical of Apostle Kathryn Krick. I believe many of the criticisms are misplaced, and some of them seem to me to be nothing more than reflexive demonization. I, too, have my concerns about her, but not for many of the arguments that have been advanced. But first, I will review some of the criticisms and state why I believe they miss the mark.
One: Lack of Formal Theological Training
Many have questioned her claim to be an apostle, but not for the reason I would have expected. Instead, they question it on the grounds that she has no formal training—meaning that she didn’t attend a seminary or divinity school.
I believe that this is the least credible argument because it presumes that you have to be formally trained to be used by God. I believe that some who advance this argument are in error because they clearly do not understand the Word and works of God. This was the error Jesus pointed out in the Sadducees’ disbelief of the resurrection. Jesus said:
“You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
— Matthew 22:29, NKJV
Most doctrinal misunderstanding comes from this twin error: not knowing the Scriptures and not understanding the power or works of God.
The belief that someone has to be trained to be used by God is largely a Western narrative and one that is not grounded in Scripture. I personally have little regard for seminary or divinity school training, in part because it is often those who are thus trained who introduce revisionist ideas that question the meaning and traditional interpretations of Scripture.
Moses was “educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” — Acts 7:22 — but the Bible didn’t record that he had formal theological training. Yet, he was the greatest Old Testament prophet.
There is no evidence that the apostles were formally trained either. In fact, the Jewish council observed concerning Peter and John that they were “untrained and unlearned men” — Acts 4:13 — yet they were the ones Jesus chose to lay the foundation of the church.
Two: The Cessation of the Apostolic and Prophetic Offices
Some have also questioned her apostleship because of the belief that the spiritual offices of apostle and prophet have ceased. This is not true. This is the so-called cessationist view, but I believe it arises from the same kind of error Jesus identified: failing to account adequately for both the Scriptures and the power of God.
Nowhere in Scripture does it say that these offices, or any of the spiritual offices, have ceased. Paul says that Jesus gave these offices for this purpose:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”
— Ephesians 4:11–13, NKJV
Then he added:
“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—”
— Ephesians 4:14–15, NKJV
When you look at the church today, who would say that this mission has been accomplished? It is simply presumptuous for anyone to claim that these offices have ceased. Are we wiser than God or stronger than Him?
Along with the claim that the spiritual offices have ceased is also the claim that the manifestations at her events, where people are convulsing or falling down, are definitive indications that she is operating by demonic power. Didn’t we see this kind of manifestation in Jesus’ ministry with those who are demon-possessed—Mark 9:25-27? I’m not making any claim one way or the other; I’m simply saying that these manifestations, by themselves, are not necessarily evidence that she is false.
This view is usually held by those who claim that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased but we must be careful not to be quick to condemn something simply because we do not understand it or have not experienced it.
Three: Seed Donations for Healing and Deliverance
There have also been criticisms of her asking her followers and those who attend her events to make a seed donation for their healing and deliverance. This actually has validity and contradicts Scripture. Jesus said:
“Freely you have received, freely give.”
— Matthew 10:8, NKJV
However, this is not a practice unique to her; other preachers, such as Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Wynita Barnum, etc., have engaged in the same practice. I am not justifying this practice at all because it is unbiblical. My point is that it might be unfair to single her out for rejection simply because of this practice.
Other Legitimate Concerns
There are other legitimate concerns about her, such as the fact that she was anointed by one GeorDavie, a Tanzanian prophet, of whom little is known. It is legitimate to ask what the theological basis and authority is by which he prophesied that she is called to be an apostle, and whether Scripture establishes that kind of apostolic commissioning
I also share the concern about the cult-like nature of her followers, especially with the recent performance at her birthday celebration, where these followers were bowing to her and calling her “mama.” I believe this is unbiblical because Jesus said not to call anyone on earth ‘father’ as a religious title or authority, which, by inference, would also apply to the equivalent title ‘mother. Jesus condemned this practice among the Pharisees, and He still condemns it today.
A Word of Caution
I have written this post to give the same advice that Gamaliel gave to the Jewish council after the apostles were put on trial a second time:
“And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
— Acts 5:38–39, NKJV
At the same time, Scripture commands us to test all things. So, all true Christians should be vigilant about her, and we must call out any false teachings she may teach.
To be clear, I’m not in any way endorsing Kathryn Krick and she may turn out to be a false apostle, but it won’t be for some of the reasons that have been put forward. I don’t believe that there is simply sufficient evidence yet to condemn or reject her. So, I believe the jury is still out on whether she is indeed called or not.