An Interview with Michael Fortner

Today please welcome author Michael Fortner to Interviews & Reviews. Michael has a B.A. in journalism and history, with, as he puts it "a God-given ability to figure things out and to think outside the box."

At age 20 God he states that God sent him into the wilderness for 40 years, where he endured very intense fire (trials and tribulations), molding and shaping, and training. He is also a CompTIA A+ certified in computer repair.

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Welcome Michael! For those who aren't familiar with your work, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I have a B.A. in journalism with a minor in history. I am skilled at research, and have a God-given ability to figure things out and think outside the box.
 
And how long have you been writing?

I began writing a book on Bible prophecy at age 25, which seems naïve that a 25-year-old could write such a book, but I just knew that I knew some things that other people did not. Even so, writing a book is a whole other thing, and it has taken me decades of work and it has turned into four books that are now in print. 

How many books have you written?

I have five full-length books now in print, and a short one. But I have written many drafts over the decades, so I feel like I have written a dozen books. 
 
What is the hardest thing about writing for you?

Having patience. When I write a book I want to publish it ASAP. It is hard to let it sit so I can go through it again a few weeks or months later, but that is really what should happen in order to fully polish it.

Tell us about your latest book.

It is an expose’ of the Word of Faith movement, along with the Toronto Blessing spawned revivals, and the Prophetic Movement. The other books on this subject were written by people who attack all Pentecostals and Charismatics, but I do not, because I grew up Pentecostal, became a Charismatic, and still consider myself in the Spirit-filled camp.

What inspired you to write this book?

God called me to write it. I had another book out which I took out of print to revise it, called The Prosperity Gospel Exposed: And Other False Doctrines, but while doing more research, the information I found required me to refocus the book toward those movements that all preach the prosperity gospel. I also came across evidence that some of the Word of Faith TV preachers are knowingly in league with Satan. That was a shocker. I included a few chapters from the original book, but the new one is much more powerful.

That's a very strong statement to make. What do you mean exactly, when you say they are "knowingly in league with Satan?"

They must have made a deal with the devil. You may have heard of rock stars or movie stars who made a deal with the devil to become rich and famous, so I believe these preachers have done the same thing. One can be heard saying, "I'm with Satan," while preaching; another can be heard saying, "Tie my money, Satan," after taking an offering. They also give the "sign of Satan." I also believe, because of their twisted teachings, that they are listening to Satan. Examples of their twisted teaching are also given in the book.
 
I also called out Word of Faith preachers in one of my own books, but I never ran across any indication that they were in league with Satan. So I look forward to reading about these claims in your book. Do you have any other books in the works?

I have two other books that I am working on. One will be an expose’ of how textual criticism of the Bible text has given us modern Bibles with many verses removed or altered. It will show how this happened and why it is wrong. I am not a King James Only advocate, but I also do not approve of the principles and practices of the textual critics.
 
What books do you enjoy reading?

My favorite books to read are autobiographical, or at least biographies of Christians who have lived interesting lives. There are not many books out like that, but one that comes to mind is Through the Fire Without Burning, by Dumitru Duduman, a Romanian pastor who was persecuted and finally kicked out of the country and came to America. I also like interesting history, and expository teaching.

Sounds interesting! Thank you for sharing Michael and best of luck to you!

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