The Right Reverend Frederick Eikerenkoetter, Th.B., D.Sc.L., Ph.D.
» Gallimaufry
Rev. Ike RIP
I just read that properity gospel evangelist Rev. Ike won't be sitting on that big tacky throne of his anymore. It has been many years since I saw or her a broadcast or read any of his propaganda but I remember with fond amusement.
In honor of Rev. Ike's death I re-run an early from some years back.
. . .
Back in Savannah about 1972 I was sitting in my friend Victor's car stoned. It being his car the radio was on (can't stand music that isn't under my direct control). I was by myself staring off into nothing in particular.
Then came the voice.
"You can't lose with the stuff I use"
"You don't want that pie in the sky by and by when you die. You want that pie now with ice cream on top."
Later listening would confirm the voice was hypnotic even without the aid of cannabis.
I'd met Rev. Ike (aka The Right Reverend Frederick Eikerenkoetter, Th.B., D.Sc.L., Ph.D.). Rev. Ike was (and I guess is) the master of Thinkonomics or as he put it for his listening audience The Prosperity Plan.
Over the years I'd see Rev. Roosevelt Franklin of Augusta Georgia and listen to Sister Brenda with her Miracle Soap when I lived in Manhattan. Let us know forget that disgusting honky, the Rev. Robert Tilton who committed the supreme sin of getting caught ala PTL. (Sadly Grandfather Divine passed before my time but there's a fine history of his mission.)
In Atlanta I caught Rev. Ike on TV. He came out and invited us to "step into the theater of our mind" and "onto the stage of our imagination." Then he sat down on the tallest throne I've ever seen. It even had a crown (similar to the margarine's) emblazoned on the back. I forget what else Rev. Ike had to say but the voice and delivery were wonderful.
I sent Rev. Ike a check. A bad check. A reply arrived on the glitziest, most expensive looking stationary I'd ever seen. They knew I'd made a mistake that I wanted to correct. I didn't, unlike a transvestite commercial artist I knew who sent Rev. Ike money every month.
Rev. Ike didn't begrudge my bad check. He wrote to me regularly in his full-color newsletter. One the cover you could see the Rev. standing in front of his pink Rolls Royce. If I remember right he had a different colored Rolls for each day of the week. Lots of dollar bills decorated the mailing. They seemed to fall from Rev. Ike's pores.
Rev. Ike's followers had mighty testimonies. Poor women sent him their last ten dollars and by the time she got home what was waiting for her but a check for hundreds or thousands. Can you believe it? (Well some people obviously did those color newsletters weren't cheap, not to mention that fancy stationary.)
Other women's testimonies (seemed all be women, you know those black men were out doing no good at bars*) were yet mightier. I remember the Sister whose son was a junkie. She sent Rev. Ike money and within hours (or was it minutes) her son kicked the heroin habit. Hallelujah!
When I moved on to San Francisco Rev. Ike's mailings didn't follow me. But I remembered Rev. Ike and wrote to him. He sent me a picture of his Prayer Tower (Box 50, Boston Massachusetts, that's Box 50, Boston Massachusetts - if the Rev. said something often enough you could never forget it).
I hung the prayer tower behind my desk back when I was a Field Services Director (useless fancy title) at a market research company. If anybody knew how to exploit a market it was Rev. Ike. Below Rev. Ike was the photo of some rich person's $100,000 bathroom with Iggy Pop lyrics pasted over. ("Oo Baby! What a place to be / In the service of the bourgeoisie - what an idealist youngster.)
I see Rev. Ike has a website. He's celebrating fifty years of his ministry. I played a Real Audio of his greeting. His voice isn't what it used to be but his manner is the same. Like any master showman he knows exactly which words to emphasize.
Only The Right Reverend Frederick Eikerenkoetter, Th.B., D.Sc.L., Ph.D.can compare to Doctor Eugene Scott.
* A play on a socioeconomic clichι of the time, nothing more.
Comments
The Ike just mailed me his patterened crap and I was wondering who the hell he was when I saw your site. I appreciate the scam but ignore the crap. Floyd
Posted by: fuckthealias | February 4, 2004 4:15 PM
this ike guy should be prosecuted by the proper authorites.
Posted by: mildred | February 22, 2004 9:05 PM
I’ve been researching Rev.Ike and his “doctrine” for a Senior University Modern Cults class. His philosophy is definitely too good to be true:-) Apprently he’s raking in money to make his lifestyle luxurious while the rest of us sit in the middle class region and actually work for what we have. He is in the same category as other mega star “Christian” evangelists. Jesus Christ is the one Way to eternal life, the One truth. Perhaps Ike should read the Bible.
Posted by: Rachel | March 16, 2004 4:44 PM
My brother Lee: Obviously you are as yet UNAWARE of the power of the SCIENCE of LIVING — Reverend Ike’s own philosophy in which he has become so PROFICIENT that he has been awarded an AUTHENTIC ACADEMIC DEGREE, complete with a REAL DIPLOMA, Doctor of the Science of Living!
I myself became ENLIGHTENED in the 1970s by watching his occasional television broadcasts, RIGHT HERE IN NEW YORK CITY, where I, too, saw the many fat women in ACTUAL NURSE’S UNIFORMS, standing by in case one of the brethren was OVERWHELMED by GOD”S generosity.
Now, my friend Brother Lee, perhaps you have not yet GRASPED the OPPORTUNITY available to you. Perhaps you have yet to ASK for the MIRACLE PRAYER CLOTH, which may be rubbed on lottery tickets or tickets at the horse track. Perhaps you do not yet OWN a MIRACLE LUCKY COIN. You may not even yet POSSESS a MIRACLE STAR OF FAITH — a GENUINE replica of the star that sits atop the SUNRISE THEATER in NEW YORK’S HARLEM, the movie palace which was converted into REV. IKE”S Worship Sanctuary. For all I know, you may not have even attended the BLESSING OF THE CADILLACS, a feature of EACH AND EVERY BROADCAST for a time, when REVEREND IKE’S prayer partners paraded their LUXURY VEHICLES past the theater to be blessed for still further BLESSINGS of FINANCIAL PROSPERITY.
But PLEASE, take JUST A MOMENT to send RIGHT NOW! for your ABSOLUTELY FREE! COMMUNION KIT, which contains a Chinese retaurant-like soy sauce packet of ACTUAL GRAPE JUICE, and COMPLETE instructions on how to place it on your television set, along with a slice of your favorite bread, to be BLESSED by the REVEREND IKE, right THROUGH THE TELEVISION ITSELF!
May YOU TOO receive SUBSTANTIAL MONEY BLESSINGS in your blogging.
Posted by: amherst | March 20, 2004 8:32 PM
you should not condemn what you do not understand, unless you feel that it’s the proper thing to do and if you do then I suppose you really have issues, and I promise you my friend I am no Rev.Ike fan, he’s a clown always has been, as far as i can remember, but a little hope from a clown is better than none at all, and just what ? pray tell have you done for the world. I’m not about to get into an intellectual sparing match with you, I’ve always looked at this way…. you and what you do or don’t believe will be gone away from this place soon enough, and nobody will even remember your name.
Posted by: jay | April 18, 2004 3:20 AM
Anybody who could take my entry about Rev. Ike in such a wrong-headed way … what can I say that your words don’t?
Posted by: Richard | April 18, 2004 5:52 PM
I wonder if there are people complaining about the wealth that the Pope has. Everyone seems to get the shorts in a twist whenever a Black man rises from the ashes and becomes propserous and tells you how he did it. Usually, the poor do not have an ear to hear. Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, sat in the pews of Rev. Ike’s church for years and decided to use the principles. He is now a multi-millionaire and makes it know publicly that Rev. Ike is the reason he is where he is today. If you want something you’ve never had, do something you’ve never done—keep your mouth shut and listen!
Posted by: Princess | June 2, 2004 9:34 AM
Plenty of people fret about the wealth of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church as a whole.
I don’t care how much money Rev. Ike accumulates. He’s welcome to every penny.
I’m afraid the author of a self-help bestseller isn’t any impressive reference. Or perhaps you think Dr. Phil is the greatest mastermind of our time.
It always saddens me that people can take a good-natured recollection and respond in such a petty fashion. If anyone has a problem it is you self-important people.
Posted by: Richard | June 2, 2004 9:52 AM
Well I grew up with my Gran sending this man every extra dime she could scrape together. And having raised 7 kids and taking care of 3 grandchildren, it WAS a scrape.
She had the prayer cloths, the mustard seeds in the little bulb-all that. And what did she get in return. NOTHING. She still scraped by, there were no thousand-dollar checks in her mailbox. Those are scams and I bet you cant find these people. If they exist. Im sorry the person who got so angry is so disillusioned.
Posted by: BenzBaby | November 3, 2004 1:04 PM
People Love to sit back and begrudge the outwardly rich. My conclusion is they are probably BROKE.
Posted by: CindyC. | January 19, 2005 12:23 PM
I have Listened to Rev Ike for year via his tapes. He is a very interesting man if you listen to his indept classes not his tv persona. He has no secrets that any other metaphysician has its just that he is flamboyant in his presentation. Zig zigler, Robert Schuler, etc all do the same thing but not as flamboyant. Ever minister has their way of making their followers give. Its all up to you. The message from Rev Ike is more important that the issue of money. Why such concern about that and very little about the message. I believe if you have the blessing or the curse to be rich through what ever marketing ideas you have good for you. People give because of what they get. We give to charity because of what we get. The feeling of gratitude that we can afford it. Ike get from people that like his message
Posted by: Oneminded | February 7, 2005 3:15 AM
Rev Ike has an Home page where he sells his various books and tapes. Unlike amazon , ebay and the rest, next to each order is the word cancel. In terms of just wanting our money, I think that speaks for itself.
Posted by: Allen S | April 28, 2005 5:35 AM
You don’t buy online if you don’t think you can’t cancel Amazon - or most any online order: including eBay bids.
Posted by: Rev. Ike's 3rd Cousin | April 28, 2005 8:40 AM
PROPHECY: Inspired foretelling of events.Always relevant(Rev.22:10)Given by God.(Is.41:22,23)Centered in Christ.(Luke:24:26,27)Inspired by the Spirit(2Peter1:21)Not of one’s own interpretaion.2Peter.(1:20) False,evidenced by Nonfulfillment>Jer.28:1-17) Apostasy from God(Deut.13:1-5 Lying(Jer.23:25-34)Rev.Ike is using a tad of his own spirit to prophecy by saying in his letters Quote”The Spirt says for you to work with his “Miracle Power of God Cross”. There are New blessings in it for you.In which god and sprit is he talking about? The Power of the Cross is true.Salvation is the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.There is no power in the symbol of the cross that Jesus Christ hung on, however there is power in His word.(John 3:16)Salvation(Descriptive of National Deliverance.(Ex.14:13) Deliverance from enimies.2Chr.20:17) Messiah.(Matt.1:21)Source of, n: God’s grace.(Eph.2:5,8)God’s Love.Rm.5:8)God’s Mercy(Titus 3:5)Christ aone.(Acts 4:12)Cross (1Cor.1:18)Accomplished on the Cross (John 3:14,15)There are 30 plus more referances on Salvation!Darkness-Absence of light.Rev.Ike says in his letters to tell no one and only keep his paper symbol or blanket,token etc for only over night to recieve what he says is Healing,Success,Prosperity Opposition from enemie and Deliverance,Money and Blessings.He says in order to get these things you only can keep his item for one night only!Asking you to keep what he is doing in the darkness( we know that anytime someone asks you to keep a secret they are doing something they should not be doing! The prince of darkness referred to in the Bible = satin would ask you to keep secrets and promise you riches ect. Just as he tempted Jesus Christ in the desert. Darkness-Creational(Gen.1:2-4) Natural.(Gen.15:17)Miraculous (Ex.10:21-22)Supernatural.(Matt.27:45) Spiritual.(Acts 13:12)God’s unsearchableness (Psalms 97:2)Affiction (Psalms 112:4)The way of sin(Eph.5:11) Moral depravity(Romans 13:12)Ignorance (1John2:8-11)Death.(Job 10:21,22)Hell.(Matt.22:13) Light-The absence of Darkness!Cosmic(Gen.1:3-5)Natural.(Judg.19:26)Miraculous.(Act12:7)Artificial (Acts.16:29)Natue.(1John 1:15) Word.(Psalms.119:105)Wisdom.(Dan.2:21,22)Guidance.(Psalms 78:14:89:) Favor(Psalm4:6)There are 11 more refferences on the light. KINGDOM AUTHORITY! All believers have rather they know it or not Kingdom Authority! Because our significance (purpose)Security lye within Jesus Christ we are through the Cross( Salvation plan!) seated at the right hand of the Daddy God Creator of all things)We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ because of what He did on the cross. There is no condemnation in Jesus. Because of this we have Kingdom Authority. Now nowing that we we already have the things in which Rev.Ike is promising! However he has no way of delivering that which we already have! Just as satin did not have authority to give Jesus the Kingdom of Heaven which Jesus Christ already owned! You already have Delieranc,Healing,Success,Prosperity and opposition agains your enimies! Faith!If you say it is so then it is so, only if you believe it to be so!We can do nothing with out Jesus Christ, but through Him we can do all things!For protection agains evil things(principalities) put on the Armor of God! Ephesians6:10-20)Ephesians5:8-20 tells us also to expose darkness.Now don’t take my word for these things but search the answers out for your selves. God has given each of us a sound mind and free will. Don’t make the mistake so many make in taking others word for the truth God clearly states through scripture that the prince of this world(satin and his principalities) will fool many people and even turn God’s people who are not firmly planted on the solid rock away from Him.If you get something in the mail etc. Ask for guidence and then go and research for yourself if this is true or false. In this day there are many fase prophets using the Word of God to deseive people and giving a great misrepresentation of who God really is!The greatest commandment we are told is to Love one Another. The only sin we are told that is not forgivin is Blaphemy of the Holy Spirit!If a person says the Spirit of God told him to do something or a person prophecies in the Spirit and says the thus says the Lord,the Spirit says hey surely better be correct!other wise they will be a false prophet. There are conditional prophesies and non conditional.That does not mean that you should give all your money to Rev.Ike! In fact God only asks us for a tenth! (10%)of our first fruits!!!If it is our paychecks then he only wants a 10% of it! and He clearly says to put it into His store house! Not to give to a dead church!(Store house - God’s church) To feed and clothes His people! God created all things so no one should be without food,clothes,shelter,help! If you are a farmer and you offer the first 10 % of your fruits and veggies to Gods store house people will be fed!That is if the store house you are giving to is not dead! That is to say that they in charge of the store house are following what God has set forth for them to do.So if you are giving to the store house where you go are the people getting fed? God’s Word along with Food,clothing,housing,medical,etc or only the Word? The word with out works is dead. Is it not? Faith without works is dead. If you talk with only your mouth and have no actions the only one who benefits is you! Rev.Ike claims to be a prophet by saying the spirit told him. But of what prophet is he? Is he a prophet of God the creator of all things,Jesus Christ the Savior and the Holy Spirit of God? or is he a prophet from the prince of the world? He does not clearly state, or at least he has not stated in the letter that we recieved!He talks about the spirit telling him to loan you a piece of paper an idle, which God clearly tells us over and over not to worship idles! Again don’t take my word on this,I did not say this but God did. What is the truth? May you all be blessed!
Posted by: Truth | April 29, 2005 10:26 AM
Rev. Ike has something interesting to say. No one can mistake him for a christian but he does hit the nail on the head - everything is a condition of the mind. poor people stay poor because they see themselves poor. Rich people stay rich because they see thmeselves rich. Remember John Watson and the “AS IF” principle - “act as if the thing in question is real and it will become real in your life”. Ike gets it.
Posted by: YENOM | May 14, 2005 11:04 AM
Ike has nothing interesting to say. It is all old-hat and was used by African-American “positive-thinking” preachers long before him.
But know one has said it more entertainingly.
Posted by: Dr. Theology | May 22, 2005 7:10 AM
Rev Ike is a darn FRAUD!!! Who the hell ask the poor for donation in the mail when you profess to know they are poor, shouldn’t you send a donation instead? if he is so interested in helping! Why mail? go to their home to pray for them.
Posted by: Fed Up | August 30, 2006 12:50 PM
I was researching Rev. Ike online when came across this site. I’m glad I did, otherwise I might have made the mistake of sending Rev Ike money, which would have been very unwise. I dont want to judge him for the fear of God, but maybe we should pray for him. Didn’t Jesus say on the cross,Forgive them Father for they know not what they do? Anyone who is concern about their own soul should be careful what they say and do and as a collegue once said,’ Do everything possible to stay out of fiery damnation’. Apparently, a lot of people follow Rev. Ike and if he is not a christian, those people may be hurting the lives and eternal souls of themselves and their families. If you stop and think about that on a spiritual level, that is REALLY scary. I knew something was off about him because being a christian is not about being prosperous because our riches are supposed to be in heaven. Isn’t that what the bible says. This carnal life on earth will soon be over. Rev Ike does appear, not judging, kind of self centered. He didnt even want to pay for the postage, stating that you’ll recieve a greater blessing if you have a first class stamp. Are you serious? Financial Institutions are all about making money and even they aren’t that cheap. Rev. Ike has all this money, if he’s a christian, what I wonder is how is he using the riches he has to help the proverty level in his community. I read he has addiction programs and classes like that in his organizations but does he provide food and shelter for the homeless in New York City where his United Church Center is located. I’m not sure how much a Royal Royce? cost but as many as he got, I’m sure he could feed and clothes a whole lot of homeless people in that community even he kept just two and sold the rest. I dont read The Holy Bible as often as I should but I thought greed was a deadly sin?Not saying he’s greedy. It could just be that God blessed him with a lot because all he does in the name of Jesus? But I read about books and cds to make you rich, other than that,what else does he do for the people? I read about people giving to him and they being blessed but I didnt read anything about what he does or give, especially monetary wise, except promise to pray for you and with you. This site kept me from making a very ignorant mistake. Thank God I came across this site and cam e back to might senses.Go to show, in these days, seem like you really cant trust just anybody because you dont know thier motives, or what going on inside people. Only God knows that. God bless you.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 6, 2007 3:23 AM
I remember Rev. Ike, fondly, from long years ago. I’ve always liked him. He’s up front. I don’t fault him. I think he’s alot more honest about himself and his prosperity message, which is a good one in so far as positive thinking and action goes, than the others that have been proven frauds. Ike ain’t no fraud, agree with him or not. He just is what he is, with his own up front message. Take it or leave it, but don’t put it down til you try it. Even those folks that didn’t get no checks got … Hope. And thats more than you get in most pews. But … All of this is JMO. ;-) (BTW … I ain’t black. And I ain’t white either. Go figure. lol)
Posted by: JMO | December 2, 2007 10:01 PM
There have been a lot of articles lately about how the “prosperity gospel” type of thinking has caught on (especially pre-recession). It kind of amazes me how at odds that seems to be with traditional Christianity, although, as an atheist, I have no dog in that fight.
Posted by: Dev | August 4, 2009 11:11 AM