“To Be A Christian”
Plagiarism and John Robert Stevens
The Founder of The Living Word Fellowship
The Living Word Fellowship’s claim that John Robert Stevens wrote “To Be A Christian” is a cornerstone of the movement.
Quote from JRS’s legacy site
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Pamphlet handed out at Living Word Churches
Quoting JRS, “I wrote out my idea”.
1970 March 15 - South Gate JRS - What it Means to Be A Bondservant
In the audio, John Robert Stevens claims to have written “To Be A Christian” in 1939 or 1940. He twice states very clearly that he wrote it.
Do you remember, In To Every Man That Asketh? This To Be a Christian, it's
based on that. This goes back to about 1940, I think 39 or 40, when I read an article that started me to make this. I wrote this because I was quite sick of the old Crusader Covenant that was used in the Pentecostal youth groups. And I thought there's something better,
more positive that can show our relationship to the Lord. And this idea of being the bond
servant of the Lord became so real to me. So I wrote this based upon that. It was something that was very real to my heart at that time. And I think it's been real to my heart
ever since. - JRS
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“Cut Gems” Publication - ©1897
The pages to the right are taken from a publication titled “Cut Gems” that was published in 1897 by Rev. George W. Plack.
The exact words for “To Be a Christian” can be found on the scans of these printed pages.
The copyright for “Cut Gems”, containing the same text as “To Be a Christian”, can be found in this catalog from the Library of Congress confirming it’s 1897 Copyright date.
John Robert Stevens was born in 1919.
Published 1897 - George W. Plack
JRS claims to have written the same text in the 1930s.
From EP 006 of Oops! I’m In a Cult