Beliefs

Doctrinal statements or statements of belief are important to many people and for good reason. Our faith is just that: faith. If we believe lies, we begin to get disconnected from the One who is Truth. Having said that, let me say this. All of us believe lies. You believe lies; so do I. That's part of our condition as fallen human beings. A perfect doctrinal statement does not cure us of our lies and it wasn't intended to. It merely points the way to the One who sets us free from lies. So my understanding of truth and lies, faith and doubt is much larger than it was - say - thirty years ago.

Below I will express my beliefs in two ways: As I would describe them, and then in a more formal doctrinal statement. What I believe is going to be acceptable to most Christians who read their Bibles and treat the Bible as God's word. But there is much that our Western minds would like to have clearly defined that the Bible doesn't clearly define. We try to draw sharp lines around these things with our theology, but some of those lines are arbitrary. The basics: yes, I believe. The finer points: God knows what we don't and we'll find out soon enough.

My core beliefs
When Jesus pays with His own blood, He doesn't buy junk. If you are a child of God, God's work in you is far more powerful, far more enduring than any propensity you may have for sin or any burden of woundedness or bondage you carry. At your core, you are no longer a practicer of sin, but instead a son or daughter of God.

God designed the Christian life to be impossible, so that it would never work apart from His supernatural intervention. That's why trying harder never works. So, instead of doing for God, let God do for you.

Lies imprison; truth frees. The Son frees indeed as the light of His truth shines in the darkness of our lies. Jesus knows the geography of our souls, the origin of our lies, the whole path to deliverance and freedom.

Our role as Christians is to bring Christ to the damaged places. Let God meet each one at his or her point of greatest need, because our problems are God's opportunities.

I feel comfortable with a broad range of evangelical and/or charismatic expressions of the Christian faith. My own theology is rooted in a strong belief in the authority of God's word, the Bible. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Statement of faith
I am closely aligned to the doctrinal position of my alma mater, Moody Bible Institute, reprinted here:

Article I
God is a Person who has revealed Himself as a Trinity in unity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--three Persons and yet but one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 8:6).

Article II
The Bible, including both the Old and New Testaments is a divine revelation, the original autographs of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

Article III
Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, which is to say, He is Himself very God; He took upon Him our nature, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary; He died upon the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sin of the world; He arose from the dead in the body in which He was crucified; He ascended into heaven in that body glorified, where He is now our interceding High Priest; He will come again personally and visibly to set up His kingdom and to judge the quick and the dead (Colossians 1:15; Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Peter 2:24-25; Luke 24; Hebrews 4:14-16; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 11:15-17; 20:4-6, 11-15).

Article IV
Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin, and, in that sense, is lost; this is true of all men, and except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God; salvation is by grace through faith in Christ who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree; the retribution of the wicked and unbelieving and the reward of the righteous are everlasting, and as the reward is conscious, so is the retribution (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:10, 23; John 3:3; Acts 13:38-39; John 3:16; Matthew 25:46; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

Article V
The Church is an elect company of believers baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body; its mission is to witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations; it will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air where He appears to set up His kingdom (Acts 2:41; 15:13-17; Ephesians 1:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

I include below a link to my article "In Defense of Theophostic®" so you might understand my beliefs on this subject as well.

The content in this box may be reprinted provided a reference or link to dwightclough.com is included.

Your support of Dwight Clough Ministries allows us to make these spiritual growth resources available worldwide. A $50 donation underwrites for a new chapter in the Discoveries Bible or a new devotional. A $75 donation underwrites a prayer ministry session. The "Donate Here" button allows you to donate any amount online. The "Mail In Here" button allows you to donate any amount through the mail.

About Dwight Clough Ministries
Contact us
Our beliefs
In Defense of Theophostic®
References

Supporting Dwight Clough Ministries
CrossCounsel, on the cutting edge of Theophostic® / transformational prayer ministry
Colombia Para Cristo, an amazing ministry of reconciliation that is transforming an entire nation
Judah's Call, specializing in Theophostic® Prayer Ministry
Impact Ministries International, with Evangelist Tom Stamman.

I recommend Dwight Clough's site for anybody who is hungry for God.
- Evangelist Tom Stamman

"Quite some time ago, I used to ask God for an angel that could answer to all my questions. An angel for company and comfort. But not long ago, I started receiving your emails (Discoveries), honestly, I haven’t got a clue how or when did I sign up. The unthinkable is, every message you sent that I have read was exactly the answers I needed to face the situation at hand. Strange, right? But I really do think God answered my prayer. He sent me an angel through you. Your messages seem to be God’s words to me. Answering me, teaching me. I am grateful for this heavenly gift and I would like you to share this miracle I received from the Father."

"Your book is therapy for me . . . you have struck gold . . . there is "life" in your book. I found myself laughing and crying . . . I believe I saw what God must think of me ... "

"Thank you for sending these devotions everyday! They are awesome! Today's devotional was exactly what I have been thinking about and how to battle this such issue! Keep up your awesome ministry!"

"The first thing I do every morning when I turn on the computer is to read your encouraging message. You have blessed my heart and improved my daily meditation on the word of God. . . . I am writing this mail from Dar es salaam, Tanzania, East Africa."

"i really have to thank you for your encouraging words they almost make me feel as if there coming right from the lord himself"

"Dwight, i am originally from uganda, but i live and work in the UK. But i send the your inspirations almost across the globe. God bless your unselish heart."

Dwight Clough Ministries Inc., and Dwight Clough appreciate and give positive testimony to the benefits of Theophostic® Prayer Ministries, but we are not in any way endorsed by, officially connected to, or affiliated with Dr. Ed Smith or any entity, corporation or aspect of Theophostic® Prayer Ministries. In addition, Theophostic® is a trademark of Alathia Ministries, Inc., of Campbellsville, Kentucky and Dr. Ed Smith, its founder and developer of, who is the only one who has the right to define it. Any other types of ministry mentioned or promoted on this site are not a part of what we understand Dr. Smith to define as Theophostic® Prayer Ministry and are not offered as a substitute for the Basic and Advanced Theophostic® Prayer Ministry Training provided by Dr. Smith. For further information about Theophostic® Prayer Ministry, its developer Ed Smith, D.Min., or to order training materials, please visit www.theophostic.com or call 270-465-3757.