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Somebody Has Been Snake-Bit! Did Reuben Armstrong Plagiarize Pastor Craige’s Jezebel Article or Visa Versa?

Somebody has been Snake-bit!

On August 27, 2007 an article titled, Jezebel’s Finest Hour  appeared on Pastor G. Craige’ Lewis’ blog. Outstanding article which was linked to all over the internet.

To my shock, while reading the book, Snakes in the Pulpit, I saw huge chunks of that article printed without reference to the fact that Pastor G. Craige Lewis had written it. Like everyone else, I reasonably concluded that Pastor Craige wrote it since his name is all over it and he never referenced anyone else as author.

 I asked our member, Bria about it since she is in contact with Mr. Armstrong.  Reuben Armstrong is standing by his story that he in fact wrote those words.

Okay, so somebody is not being honest. Two men publishing an identical article with only their own names attached to the article and no reference to anyone else having written the article?

I will tell you what is NOT in dispute. Somebody plagiarized somebody. Either it was Pastor Craige or it was Reuben Armstrong but I will say this…Pastor Craige’s article appeared FIRST.

YOU be the judge: I’ll print the second paragraph of Pastor Craige’s article and the second paragraph of the chapter 7 of Reuben Armstrong’s book. Then I will print the first line of both of their paragraphs #3.  Keep in mind, however, that the ENTIRE article is copied verbatim. Shocking.

By Pastor Craige

What am I talking about? I’m talking about false prophetess Bynum and her circus of a ministry that has so many silly women fooled it is ridiculous. This women has spread her witchcraft all over the body of Christ and has used her Jezebel anointing to conjure up a demonic influence that has put her on every major platform that our so called church has. She has bewildered the effeminate Bishops and manipulated the minds of silly women to put herself up and basically do whatever she wants without being challenged by any of the so called “leaders” of the body of Christ. But I got news for you. Those that lead her don’t lead me! Those that are bewildered and under her Jezebel spell don’t speak for me. I believe in the bible and I believe in Jesus. I don’t submit to Jezebel and I will never allow her witchcraft to put me under. But so many have it makes me sad. Let’s look at how this all started and where it is now and you will get a good understanding of why it is now.

Second Paragraph of chapter 7, page 122, Reuben Armstrong’s book:

What am I talking about? I’m talking about false Prophetess Juanita Bynum and her circus which have so many believers fooled that it is ridiculous. Bynum has used her Jezebel anointing to conjure up demonic influence that put her on every major platform of our socalled churches. She has bewildered the effeminate Bishops and manipulated the minds of sillywomen and men in order to elevate herself to a level which will not be challenged by any of the so called “leaders” of the body of Christ. But I, Reuben Armstrong, have got news for you. Those that lead her don’t lead me! Those that are bewildered and under her Jezebel spell don’t speak for me. I believe in the Bible and I believe in Jesus. I don’t submit to Jezebel and I will never allow her witchcraft to put me under. But there are so many who have made Bynum their God.

First line of third paragraph in Pastor Craige’s article:

First, this women confesses her sins before everyone and goes in depth to describe her sexual appetite and her carnal cravings in her message No More Sheets.

First line of third paragraph of Armstrong’s chapter:

First, this woman confesses her sins before everyone and goes in depth to describe her sexual appetite and her carnal craving in ther message, “No More Sheets.”

And it goes on and on and on…verbatim. YOU be the judge!

10/3/07 – UPDATE HERE


51 Comments to Somebody Has Been Snake-Bit! Did Reuben Armstrong Plagiarize Pastor Craige’s Jezebel Article or Visa Versa?

  1. Mae's Gravatar Mae
    September 24, 2007 at 11:39 pm | Permalink

    Well I am not surprised by this revelation. When news hit the internet about this book, although I agreed that he was on to something, I felt there was something “snaky” about Mr. Armstrong. I expressed to my friend that I couldn’t put my feelings into words, but Mr. Armstrong appeared like a “playa hater” to me. He was calling these people fake, but he appeared fake to me. I don’t know if it was because of the price of his book that turned me off about him. He’s accusing them of fleecing the flock, but in my opinion, if you are trying to expose me to some “truths” so that I can be enlightened, why must I pay for the information. There are so many blogs, internet avenues to get the message to the people. I’m not against compensating people for their expertise, but there was something about the book that I didn’t want to pay for it. I was really happy when I saw that this book was going to be discussed on Hicktown and and even more elated when I thought an interview was going to be done.

    A definite explanation is in order. Someone has got a lot of explaining to do.

    What is the copyright date on the book? Is it before Aug. 27th?

  2. redman's Gravatar redman
    September 24, 2007 at 11:57 pm | Permalink

    I am happy you are a bold lady to do the right thing. While I do agree that people who are pimping the church should be exposed, this should not be at all costs. Some people are obviously motivated by truth, but others are out to build their own notoriety or some hidden agenda.
    Kudos to you ma.

  3. Escaped Slave's Gravatar Escaped Slave
    September 25, 2007 at 12:20 am | Permalink

    See what happens when Black people open up a book and read it?
    We get more that what we bargined for.

    Maybe dude was thinking about if you want to hide something from a Black person….put it in a book.

    Maybe dude didn’t plagerize the article…maybe he played like a rapper and “sampled” it.

    Maybe he played like Kirk Franklin looking for his porn flicks and went dumpster diving and found the article.

    I’ll be interested in what G. Craige Lewis has to say about this. I wonder if he is even aware of the book.

  4. redman's Gravatar redman
    September 25, 2007 at 12:20 am | Permalink

    Well Ma, I will have to take your word for it because I will not be purchasing that book. I think though you should at least hear him out. Maybe God spoke to both of them Verbatim so its confirmation. What you think :)

  5. redman's Gravatar redman
    September 25, 2007 at 12:38 am | Permalink

    Escaped slave has me cracking up…
    Ms Lynn Because you are good at what you do and you are doing due diligence :)

    Oh boy, You should still have had him on you program and “ambushed” him. Don’t the brotha know if you live in a glass house don’t throw stones?

  6. bria's Gravatar bria
    September 25, 2007 at 1:14 am | Permalink

    Family,
    I’m not happy about the recent developments-not at all. I have suggested to Reuben that he respond on this blog, so we’ll see. I’m hoping that he clears this matter up quickly, so that we can move on. I’m praying, hoping and praying some more that this will be easily explained. This HAS TO BE some sort of screw up-mix up. IT HAS TO BE! *sigh* And let’s not ambush.

    I flat out laid it out what’s arisen, and then it needs to be dealt with it. If somebody’s snake biting it shouldn’t be coming from the Hicktown Family–in the form of an ambush. Where is God in that?

    We’re holding these Christian public figures, authors, bloggers etc accountable, and Father God holding us accountable too. Let’s hear what these brothers have to say and take it from there…ok?
    I have a serious headache from this mess
    Bria :|

  7. bria's Gravatar bria
    September 25, 2007 at 1:50 am | Permalink

    Thanks Lynn,
    While I am curious as to how this will end…I am saddened by it also. We just have to pray w/out ceasing. I don’t see how we can minister to the world…when Body of Christ is jacked up from the feet up.

    bria :|

  8. redman30034's Gravatar redman30034
    September 25, 2007 at 2:38 am | Permalink

    Bria you ask where is God in the “ambush”? If a man is pushing the issue of Christian integrity then at the very least….

    The reason why many leaders get away with stuff is because of what you said his HAS TO BE some sort of screw up-mix up. IT HAS TO BE! My dear it is what it is. This does not make him a bad person, but if you will write a so called expose’ it had better be backed up by facts and not simply innuendo, slander and as it seems here plagiarism.

  9. bria's Gravatar bria
    September 25, 2007 at 3:19 am | Permalink

    I don’t disagree with with your last post Redman, but I do take issue w/ the ambush comment.
    If a pulpit pimp,snake in the pulpit, false profitess, author, whomever it is- is dishonest, there’s no need to set them up(they’ve already done that to themselves) they’ll hang themselves by their words or deeds, if we participatd in that type of behavior we’d be no better than the ones we’re calling out on the carpet.
    Maybe they wouldn’t be able to point the finger at us, but God surely can.

    When everyone around us doing is wrong–can God depend ON US, to do what’s right? It doesn’t matter if we feel justified in implementing that kind of behavior–can He depend on us to be righteous, whether we want to be or not?? Because at judgment time He won’t give a hoot about our contributions to the blog we’ve made, how many shysters we exposed-He’s going to ask about those that we’ve hurt, neglected etc.

    These pimps, charlatans, plagiarist, pedophiles(we can sound the alarm and warn others)–we don’t have to do anything to give the enemy footing by ambushing them–it’s already done. Let’s not be contrbutors.
    I’m gone for now…i have 3 hrs of sleep! *yawn*
    love you family and HAPPY MONDAY,
    bria

  10. redman30034's Gravatar redman30034
    September 25, 2007 at 3:25 am | Permalink

    Bria maybe you misunderstood what I meant by ambush. It simply meant to ask him to verify his sources etc. How did he come by this info. :) Peace sleep well.

  11. bria's Gravatar bria
    September 25, 2007 at 7:04 am | Permalink

    In defense of Reuben and the MANY of us who’s past are sullied-our pasts are just that–the past.

    If he said he’s repented from those sins who are we to dredge them up? He’s repented. Who are we, as the Body of Christ, to line up his PAST, which he said he’s repented from?

    IF (and I pray it isn’t true)…he’s guilty of plagiarism(and WE DON’T KNOW THAT HE IS) let’s focus on that.
    How dare we bring up past sins?

    1 Cor 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

    I turned tricks back in the day, but there is no way I’d condone someone (esp Christian) bringing that part of my past up to use against me today, because they THINK I did something wrong. If I erred today, it isn’t because I turned tricks, got drunk, was a lesbian, was a stripper etc-BACK IN THE DAY.

    We’re only made aware his past Family, BECAUSE HE TOLD IT.
    We are going off on a tangent here. Let him speak (or Minister Craige) and let’s take it from there.
    We know the pulpit-pimps, and perverted pimps are guilty…let’s give him (them) the same benefit.

    If it’s found out that Min Craige did get the words from Reuben, then what? What’ll happen then? Will there be a post with Craige’s past too? *smh*

    LET’S FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED-FIRST.
    This is becoming ridiculous on Hicktown’s side.

    Bria :(

  12. September 25, 2007 at 9:02 am | Permalink

    Hmmm whats going on here. Bria the issue here is not bringing up old stuff. We all have “stuff”. The issue is not even if Either of these gentlemen who have apparently written the same thing still make mistakes in life.

    We all do. Let us assume its not Mr Armstrong who is at fault, the fact is if a person are going to write negative information about public figures then its obvious that said person will be under scrutiny.

    When exposing so called pimps no one ever brings up their past, all accusations or conclusions are about present continuous activity(ies). Consequently whoever writes these things will be subject to observation about present behavior. Plagiarism is the lessor factor as far as I am concerned, as, What is bad is that if you copy from another source and if that source turns out to be bad, then you are operating in the realm of innuendo abd rumor mongering.

  13. MVP's Gravatar MVP
    September 25, 2007 at 9:08 am | Permalink

    Well, I thought about leaving this one alone, but could not, so just a few comments:
    It is important to maintain integrity so Lynn is right to let her bloggers know the facts (i.e. that she discovered that the wording is the same), otherwise she too could be accused of wrongdoing given that she has promoted the book and scheduled an interview with Armstrong. She is also right in that if it is true that Armstrong used Craige’s words without Craige’s permission or without giving Craige credit, it is a serious.
    If Armstrong discussed his prior “crimes” in the book, he opened the matters up for discussion. While we know that when we become saved we are new creations in Christ and God forgives our past sins washing the slate totally clean, most of us Christians use our past transgressions as part of our testimony, or to relive the glory of “what I used to do,” or to let people know, “they better be thankful I’m saved now.”
    Every person, especially when they know better (even a child who has been taught) is responsible for his own behaviors and choices. The fact that Bria knows Armstrong or recommended his book in no way reflects on her. If you have no reason to believe that a person is not what they profess to be, if they are later exposed for being something else (i.e. an alleged plagiarizer), it is their responsibility to clear up the mess. So, Bria should not feel the need to defend herself or Armstrong.
    Once you know (meaning have facts, not opinion, gossip, scuttlebutt) that a person is a plagiarizer, deceiver, false teacher, etc., you are wrong to defend them no matter what. If you do, you place yourself in the same boat as that person. The operative word is KNOW.
    As my great-grandmother said repeatedly, what you do in the dark will come to light, “fa sho.” Did she coin this phrase, and if so, did someone plagiarize her? Nah, she died years ago and could not read or write. But she always said this, along with a whole lot of other southern teachings of wisdom that I’m sure she got from someone else. Just a light note to show that we all use phrases and words that are not our own, but it is wrong (and possibly a basis for legal action) to take someone else’s words and sell them, making a profit for yourself. So Armstrong and/or Craige, whoever plagiarized, should come out and explain immediately – not privately, but publicly as the offense was public. And, if it was Armstrong who plagiarized, he owes all of his readers an apology and should return money paid for the books. He may also consider giving a portion of his profits from the book to Craige.

    Christians are judged by their fruit. Make sure yours is not rotten before you put yourself out there.

  14. DestinysLady's Gravatar DestinysLady
    September 25, 2007 at 10:39 am | Permalink

    Lynn:
    I purchased the book this weekend. If it should come to light that Mr. Armstrong hijacked someone else’s work I will not regret buying the book. It will be a lesson learned. We are living in the last days and GOD SAID “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.(2 Timothy 2:14 NIV). You cannot destroy a lie with another lie. According to the literal translation of John 8:32, the TRUTH does not set you free – it MAKES you free. I pray that you, Bria and all likeminded believers will keep on pursuing the TRUTH because as DR. KING SAID, “Truth crushed to earth will rise again.”

  15. September 25, 2007 at 11:45 am | Permalink

    Lynn I never said it was a small thing what I said was Plagiarism is the lessor factor as far as I am concerned….

  16. Andrea's Gravatar Andrea
    September 25, 2007 at 12:43 pm | Permalink

    Escaped Slave has me ROFL.

    Lynn, the fact that Mr. Armstrong is upset at this posting is very telling. To be honest, I wasn’t too interested in this book before, but I am curious now to know who stole words from whom. How sad though that someone was out to capitalize off of another’s vision and deceive people. SMH…Sigh!

  17. Empowerchange's Gravatar Empowerchange
    September 25, 2007 at 12:45 pm | Permalink

    Mr. Armstrong, I ask you to respond with your side of the story.

    Pastor Craige, I ask you to respond with your side of the story.

  18. Andrea's Gravatar Andrea
    September 25, 2007 at 12:50 pm | Permalink

    “I was surprised that he called Bishop Eddie Long a homosexual with no proof.”

    I’d heard rumors for a good while about Bishop Long frequenting ‘down low’ gatherings in the Atlanta area. Perhaps Mr. Armstrong attended one of these gatherings himself and just chose to put the Bishop on blast while remaining trapped in the closet? We just never know!

  19. Empowerchange's Gravatar Empowerchange
    September 25, 2007 at 1:13 pm | Permalink

    The book came out August 29, 2007, after the article. http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur35903.cfm

  20. Empowerchange's Gravatar Empowerchange
    September 25, 2007 at 1:31 pm | Permalink

    It takes more time to publish a book than it does to write an article. The article (see link above) that was written about the book as dated August 15, 2007. So, the book was in the works at that time. I am not taking any sides here just sharing this information. The article was written a day before the book was released. We’ve got to get the dates accurate. In order to determine who plgiarized who, we’ve got to know the exact dates of publication.

  21. DeeLove's Gravatar DeeLove
    September 25, 2007 at 3:26 pm | Permalink

    Lynn, was anything wrong with my response??

  22. Peter's Gravatar Peter
    September 25, 2007 at 4:25 pm | Permalink

    The facts of authorship in this “Armstrong – Lewis” plagiarizing issue will certainly become known as a result of this ongoing inquiry which probably has now gone beyond HickTown. This community must await the announcement of who originally wrote the captioned quoted parts, and not let this issue disrupt the normal harmony that flows among the residents.

    Many public communicators will quote another person’s works without necessarily naming the source. (This might be improper). But rules of law definately will not allow a publishing author to take such liberty. Was the G. Craige Lewis’ article a ‘blog’ or a published book? From reading the portions as quoted in this piece, I don’t think I want to read Armstrong’s book.

  23. Andrea's Gravatar Andrea
    September 25, 2007 at 4:48 pm | Permalink

    If the book came out book came out August 29, 2007, I take it to mean that it was actually published on August 29th. Still there should have been a copyright of the material as it was being readied for print. Who wouldn’t copyright a manuscript that is being edited? And it still doesn’t make sense why Armstrong is upset that this blog was posted.

  24. bria's Gravatar bria
    September 25, 2007 at 5:51 pm | Permalink

    Hey Fam,
    Sorry I couldn’t post earlier(no internet access)..I’m at school. I’ve read the posts and as far as i’m concerned, whether we agree or not..we’re family. Lynn you stand by your words, I stand by mine’s. I simply felt we should have heard from ONE of the parties involved before it had gotten this far.

    I know i’m not his mother, his protector, advocate etc etc…but if someone called Lynn out, Redman, Leslie, whomever (regardless of length of time known) without knowing any facts at all…I would’ve did the same thing. This isn’t a Reuben issue (it was originally)…it’s a let’s have some foundation before expursions are cast upon someone. That’s it. And Lynn…you’re right…if your words are used -credit your blog. I think you’ve seen I’ve done that with my blog.

    Suffice it to say-we’re christians. However it works out…it’ll still be a sad situation.

    Love you Fam-I’ll be back on tonight.
    Bria

  25. bria's Gravatar bria
    September 25, 2007 at 9:00 pm | Permalink

    I was using the computer at school, that’s why it didn’t show up.
    Thanks for the love Lynn. No matter what you’re my sis, and Hicktown fam will always be my fam.

    Hey Hicktown, as Lynn has stated I have initiated a blog–it’s still in its infancy! And I’m quite excited about it.
    Please come to the village and sit around the fire, chill, regale one another with stories, cry, laugh whatever at http://youbettarecognize.blogspot.com/

    I’ll see you there,and I’ll hit up hicktown in a little while…I think my Algebra teacher’s aware i’m not typing out his notes from the board!
    Love you fam,
    bria :)

  26. redman's Gravatar redman
    September 25, 2007 at 11:06 pm | Permalink

    Lynn the real reason it doesn’t show up is because somehow my bloglog has linked up with yahoo and so once you logged out or cleared your cookies u are forced to create a new login thru yahoo. I did this and noticed my picture was lost too.

  27. bria's Gravatar bria
    September 25, 2007 at 11:12 pm | Permalink

    hey, what the hey?? I don’t see anyone’s pics up here.

    What’s goin on?

    bria :|

  28. Monica's Gravatar Monica
    September 26, 2007 at 10:32 am | Permalink

    Good Morning,

    I know that I am coming in on the tail end of this conversation but it has been “burning me within” to say this.

    In the day we live in, in which the integrity of Christianity is being questioned, one of these two men need to step forward. Both of them are claiming to be pure in what they represent yet someone is not “pure” in this case here. G. Craige Lewis comes with a strong word each and every time he speaks on something (at least that is what I see from the DVDs that I’ve seen) and believes in exposing sin/untruth for what it is. Then we have Mr. Ruben Armstrong who are looking to expose the “snakes in the pulpit” (which comes down to an integrity issue) yet he may be lacking in integrity himself. This reminds me of the Ted Haggard situation of not long ago. The “preacher” took a strong stand against homosexuality, yet was exposed by the man in whom it is said he was having an homsexual affair. One of these two men, simply for integrity sake – should come forth! Will the real men of God please stand up!

    Also, why is it that everytime someone lays down the facts in a case we are told, “do not judge”, “touch not mine anointed (which is a total missuse of scripture”, and “let’s pray (as if just because a discussion is going on then we are also not praying – quite an ASSUMPTION I would say!). Yet, I read in the Word of God that saints are to judge other saints, prophets other prophets, and to judge by its fruit.

    I love the prophets in the Bible who did not shy away from calling out anything that was going against the will of God. They truly “cried out loud and spared not”. Even the Apostle Paul called Peter out when Peter tried to be a hypocrite and not commune with the Gentiles. Now people today want us to become “jellybacks” and not call a spade a spade!

    There is a remnant that will continue to speak the truth regardless of the cost. The principle thing is Love. However, Love does not always come in a soft tone. Did your parents always reprimand you in a nice, sweet tone? Or did they spank that tail??? Did they still love you? Of course.

    I know that Lynn does not need me to say this but Lynn is seeing things through the eyes of a prophet(ess) and therefore what may seem harsh to others, I completely understand as I walk in that gifting and call myself. It is what the endtime prophets are called to do.

    Okay, I had told myself that I wasn’t going to say anything. But like Jeremiah, it was like “fire shut up in my bones”.

    Monica

  29. Monica's Gravatar Monica
    September 26, 2007 at 1:25 pm | Permalink

    oops! I wrote the above while on my break and did not have time to proof it. Please forgive all of the typos/grammatical errors.

  30. September 29, 2007 at 7:25 pm | Permalink

    Hello. Just wondering if you would be interested in reading a certain book. Details below

    Book Title: Forsaking All
    Author: Phyllis Sanders

    Synopsis: I wrote the true story of the abuse I suffered in a previous marriage, how I came out of it victoriously, but what I had to sacrifice as a result of it.

    You can find more details about me and the book on my website http://www.forsakingall.com.

    Although I am interested in promoting my book, I must say that the purpose for me getting the word out about it is to help others who are experiencing the same things I have. Especially in the church. Appreciate you considering it. I also appreciate what you have done here. I have read just about every blog and the comments. It’s quite informative.
    Thanks
    Phyllis Sanders
    DeleteReplyForwardMove…
    Previous | Next | Back to Messages Save Message Text | Full Headers

  31. mando1's Gravatar mando1
    October 2, 2007 at 10:25 am | Permalink

    I too am coming in on the tail end. The one thing I kept looking for in this discussion is the publishing dates of both the book and the article. Although the article was published 2 weeks before the book, I do know that a book goes through manuscripting, proof-reading, editing, pre-publishing printing and printing before public sales. It would be difficult for someone to copy and modify material, then have it printed and published in the difference of 2 weeks.

    Seeing I have read neither, I am curious as to the value of the content of either one or both to the Body of Christ.

    Mando1

  32. Monica's Gravatar Monica
    October 2, 2007 at 12:44 pm | Permalink

    Hi Lynn,

    Have you heard from either one of them yet? Just Curious. Since everyone is mentioning how long it takes for a book to get published which kinda implies the the author could not have copied the article writer – the flip side of that is how did the article writer get info from the book that was not yet published?

    Is it possible that they are working together? Hmmmmm???

  33. stacey's Gravatar stacey
    October 4, 2007 at 11:32 am | Permalink

    I found this site by reading Independent Conservative. This is very interesting because I did notice that it was exactly the same, but not sure who wrote it first.

    But then I was thinking, isnt it possible that Lewis saw the book before it was distributed? I mean it was supposed to come out in August (8/29), I believe that is 2 days after Lewis’ article. That means the book was likely already written, so this gets more interesting.

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