In this post I analyse Victor Hafichuk’s recent claim to be a particular biblical prophet. I speak TO Victor and ABOUT Victor with the objective that others can see not only how his claim is false, but HOW I apply logic onto fact in order to divine truth. The end result of my deliberations (the WHAT) is only important to a few people but I think my thinking process will help others, especially those involved with Victor and his Path of Truth, past present and perhaps future.
Victor Hafichuk
Victor was born a Catholic in the Ukraine, immigrating and then doing a few things in Canada. He had a difficult childhood in some ways, most likely because of his uniquenesses that cause him challenges with human interaction. He came to faith in Christ; had a challenging adulthood but in mid-late adulthood settled into a teaching and preaching ministry which had a reasonable success in the early days of the Internet.
His ministry teaching is best described as a collection of fringe Christian theology woven into a largely coherent story/worldview. His style is confrontational, divisive and polarising with a caustic, overly judgmental attitude that has attracted claims that he runs a cult. Typical engagements with Christians involve an initial discussion of some aspect of theological truth, a very early/quick confrontation followed by extreme condemnation and curses.
Path of Truth was his brand and he spearheaded a small and vocal band of believers, some located physically on his organic farm (Harvest Haven) and others in a couple of places around the world, one in the United States, Canada and a few various adherents coming and going around the globe over the last couple of decades.
His chief “bulldog” Paul Cohen helped him enormously to punch well above his weight for years until his surprising and spectacular fall from grace and then inevitable departure in 2017. Paul had a way with words; was fiercely loyal as Victor’s 2IC and basically drove the entire Path of Truth ministry for Victor. Since Paul’s departure PoT and I believe, the associated Harvest Haven has retrenched.
Victor has also relatively recently taken up communications via Vlogging, You Tube videos allowing us to see more of the man at the centre of the storms!
My take is that Victor is indeed a Christian prophet, but a hugely flawed one at that. I’ve crossed swords with him online and am persona non-grata in his mind, but my detailed commentary over the last couple of years about Victor and the Path of Truth (TPOT) has helped many understand the emotional trauma they have experienced at PoT’s and Victor’s hands.
The claim
Victor claims to be a specific prophet (“THAT prophet”) mentioned in the Christian scriptures, Deuteronomy 18:15pp:
18:15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you – from your fellow Israelites; you must listen to him. This accords with what happened at Horeb in the day of the assembly. You asked the Lord your God: “Please do not make us hear the voice of the Lord our God any more or see this great fire any more lest we die.” The Lord then said to me, “What they have said is good. I will raise up a prophet like you for them from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them whatever I command. I will personally hold responsible anyone who then pays no attention to the words that prophet speaks in my name.
18:20 “But if any prophet presumes to speak anything in my name that I have not authorized him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. Now if you say to yourselves, ‘How can we tell that a message is not from the Lord?’ whenever a prophet speaks in my name and the prediction is not fulfilled, then I have not spoken it; the prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him.”
His claim is visible in his own words and voice online: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBOdkxURr7I)
Victor gives a dramatic prologue to this claim before he makes his announcement.
“If I speak presumptuously I’m dead!” he reminds us all, before stating in all somberness, “I need to make an announcement!”
Explaining how this was not an off-the-cuff thing and that he’s led up to this announcement with previous blog posts he says to all, “A few days ago He gave the go-ahead to do this!” which means that the Lord gave him the green light to speak it and then the big one:
“I am that prophet!”
Commentary
In Christian circles there are various roles we can take – pastors, priests, evangelists, teachers, elders and so on . . . and prophets. It is more acceptable in modern society to explain the role of a prophet by saying that we “work in the realm of the prophetic” or perhaps that we have a “prophetic ministry” because it is socially challenging to claim that we are a prophet. People are threatened by such a label and they misunderstand the meaning, often confusing this role of FORTH-TELLING God’s word with FORETELLING (in other words future-telling).
Victor though goes even one step further and calls himself the actual prophet that Moses talks about. That’s a big call. It will raise the ire of his detractors, feeding them ammunition in which to ping him for delusions of grandeur. I think this is though valid. I’ve defended Victor Hafichuk and still will on his heart. He certainly has and I think to some degree still does demonstrate a genuine Christian faith but there is a world of difference between a specific prophet and working in the business of speaking forth God’s word.
There are some direct observations that work against any realistic belief that Victor is this prophet:
- I didn’t know that Victor was an Israelite, one of the conditions of his appointment into this role, if indeed he is “THAT prophet”. I don’t believe that this is the case. Victor must show me that he has a direct lineage back to Israel of old before I could believe him. I seriously doubt that he can;
- Delusions of Grandeur (GD) occur in people with psychiatric disorders. Victor is wired differently and while I am not a shrink, he’s given the world huge evidence of this in his autobiography. I don’t want to actually claim that he has bi-polar or Schizophrenia, yet, but I do suspect this and would counsel his loved ones to seek diagnosis;
- Despite his claim to the contrary that this is not a sudden “loose moment” in his walk of faith, it has occurred relatively quickly, I think we’re talking weeks or months at the outside. From my experience it is more likely that such roles are lifetime developments when one momentous event is understood over decades – Saul’s conversion; Moses and the burning bush; David & Goliath. These events happened (usually quite early in life) and then there was a long period (sometimes even a lifetime) until they came into fruition. It doesn’t ring true to me that just when his lifetime’s ministry is falling away, into tatters, that suddenly he’s this actual prophet – nah!
- Victor’s track record belies the soundness of mind, logic and capacity to understand his environment that is required of any leader, let alone a God-appointed one. Sure He can take a child and make him into a King but good raw material had to be there in the start. Victor’s always struggled in the human relationship department. He’s constantly gaining and losing respect from his underlings, and they have a universal description of hypocrisy within his circles. These myriad of events give me the picture of confusion – not of order.
There are two sides to every story and I’m not always right, but in my mind, there is a very, very small chance that I’m wrong. In my book Victor Hafichuk is definitely NOT the prophet Moses named!
Sorry Victor – you’re wrong.
Who are you Really, Victor?
Most would stop there . . . just another deluded fool ranting about how he’s the Christ, another nutter to be ignored and best to move on.
I’m not going to though because while his claim above is clearly nonsense, I think Victor needs to know how things look from the outside looking in:
Victor, you’re not the prophet but you are a prophet, for sure. At times you DO speak His word clearly and in a manner that lifts others in their faith.
You have however, wires in your brain that run differently to the rest of us. You’ve got a genuine personal faith and have picked up a huge volume of theology that is interesting and to my non-theological perspective is well worthy of attention . . . but you have serious difficulty working with others. This all comes back to you, individually, personally and you will be held to account.
Your divisive, caustic and overly-judgmental approach to people, like me, whom you cast off, curse and hurt is not godly, nor is it normal, nor is it blessed. It creates pain and hurt in others. Jesus deals with these situations differently, so you are in error. I’ve told you (and the world) many times of your failings. You can say that you are simply a fallible human being but you continue to act as if you are not. This example is a perfect example of it. This cognitive dissonance is what your ex-followers find so hurtful, which they call hypocrisy. They leave you because they call you a fraud (and sometimes worse). That’s the result of trust betrayed – hurt.
The process that you used to justify and then announce your latest revelation must have been faulty, for your end conclusion (that you are the prophet) is totally wrong. The world can see it. Obviously you cannot. It will be your job to deal with it, for you have cast me out and you would need to repent and apologise to me before you have the right to talk to me again. Your pride has never let you do this so far. I predict that it will do so for a long time to come too!
I summarise – yes, A prophet. No, not THAT prophet.
Lastly I return to Victor’s introduction speech where he says, “If I speak presumptuously I’m dead!”. This is a form of manipulation, where Victor’s solemnity is presented as authority (and therefore believable). No, it is false humility and a logical fallacy (called false dilemma). What Victor is doing is setting us up to believe an “either or” situation which doesn’t actually exist. He does this to validate his claims for by his own words if he lives, then God must have endorsed his claim to be “THAT prophet!” The falsity comes when there is at least another option – perhaps that Victor is wrong and that simultaneously the Lord is a loving God, a God of grace and mercy and does not want to ‘zap’ Victor into oblivion just because he gets (or got) something wrong.
Sure Victor may believe that he’s THAT prophet, and that he’s validated in that belief because God hasn’t struck him down with lightning, but I don’t. My take is that the unmentioned option in Victor’s commentary does exist and is realistic. God is good, and patient and kind and has spared Victor Hafichuk his life, despite his ‘issues” and errors.
That’s the nature of the Lord I know, love and serve.
Thank God!
Thank you for swinging by today and reading.
- Analysing Victor Hafichuk’s Ministry - the orginal post of May 2015 in which my call is "Yes, Christian but excessive judgementalism"
- Path of Truth Emails - the evidence
- More from Victor Hafichuk - analysing a third party communication
- “Path of Truth Cult” – Vanity Search - An adherent supports PoT but challenges following a vanity search
- Aquatechnology.net – Victor Hafichuk - A longstanding third party analysis
- Path of Truth – Logical Fallacies - Exposing multiple logical fallacies in an adherent's communications
- Path of Truth IS a cult - Analysis following claims PoT is a cult
- Victor Hafichuk – The Other Side - A Christian Ministry
- Victor Hafichuk “Nobody Is Perfect” - Confusing Perfected in Christ with Perfect
- Analysing A Path of Truth Detractor - Correcting a Disillusioned PoT follower
- Handling the Path of Truth - Leaving the PoT can be hard
- Path of Truth – Ripped Asunder - Victor fires his long-term 2IC
- Paul Cohen After the Path of Truth - Paul's opportunity/challenge
- Maturity in overcoming Path of Truth - An ex-PoT adherent bares all
- Victor Hafichuk – False Claim Analysis - Exposing 'Delusions of Grandeur'
Amen Dennis. There is much I want to applaud you for in this post. I truly despise, not just Victor, but quite a few “independent Christians” I come across always giving off that false humility as you say, that because they say God doesnt destroy them immediately they are correct. He is a God that I find at times a bit slow, but this shattering of Harvest Haven is only the beginning.
Jimmy T has it all sussed when he says:
ONCE in a saintly passion
I cried with desperate grief,
“O Lord, my heart is black with guile,
Of sinners I am chief.”
Then stooped my guardian angel
And whispered from behind,
“Vanity, my little man,
You’re nothing of the kind.”
Thanks for commenting here, Jay.
Dennis you said…..
“I didn’t know that Victor was an Israelite, one of the conditions of his appointment into this role, if indeed he is “THAT prophet”. I don’t believe that this is the case. Victor must show me that he has a direct lineage back to Israel of old before I could believe him. I seriously doubt that he can”
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15 NIV
Some versions of the bible might word it differently as in, “brethren” “brothers” But here is a Question…..what is a true Israelite Dennis, does Victor really have to show he has a direct lineage? What about being a true Israelite in faith. Paul aka, Saul of Tarsus might not agree with you. Here is only one example.
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29.
am I picking bones here Dennis, or is it you….or maybe Paul is?
Hi Brian and thank you for questioning me here like this. The simple answer is that I don’t actually know. I take a straight read of this scripture identifying THAT prophet as an Israelite, meaning one of the descendants of Israel, and not the wider interpretation that you propose. I note that Paul & Victor identified themselves as Jew & Gentile in times past thus there is a difference. I note that the Times of the Gentiles will end with the return of the chosen people to true faith so there does seem to be a clear distinction. It seems to me that there this view is a decidedly convenient validation for Victor’s claim. Even accepting that Moses wrote Deuteronomy to mean ‘all true believers post Christ which could potentially include Victor, a Gentile’ the thrust of the post remains – Victor’s claim fails on integrity, logic and more . . . except for Victor’s view of things of course. I’ve answered a theological question here, Brian but it’s not my wish to present a blog of dueling bibles! Thank you for asking all the same.
Hey Dennis, I remember from an old email in which I corresponded with Paul regarding an article Victor posted about the Deuteronomy 18 prophet.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.thepathoftruth.com/falsehood-exposed/big-lie-exposed.htm
What I wanted to quote was the last parts of Victor’s article, perhaps to give more of a fuller scope of this dilemma:
Finally, we have God saying to the man Moses:
“I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, one like you, and will put My words in his mouth. And he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. And it shall happen, whatever man will not listen to My Words which he shall speak in My Name, I will require it of him. But the prophet who shall presume to speak a word in My Name which I have not commanded him to speak or who shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die” (Deuteronomy 18:18-20 MKJV).
Then we have Moses (a man sent of God in God’s stead) saying, “The LORD your God will raise up to you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers, one like me. To him you shall listen” (Deuteronomy 18:15 MKJV).
Yes, as Peter declared in Acts 3:26, this prophecy of one to come after Moses is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, in all those who are sent by Him to speak to others that which He requires and inspires by His Spirit to speak.”
So I suppose that means you and me are Moses prophets too, eh, Dennis?
Specifically, I asked Paul more about this: “I understand how you and Victor fit the Deuteronomy 18 Prophet description. I was wondering if that means there are other Moses prophets.”
And to which Paul basically replied, “For example, your question below is one I’d say isn’t of great importance regarding the walk of faith. What is of importance is that you pay heed to what the Lord is saying through whomever and whenever the truth comes your way. And if you receive us as His servants, then you need to recognize you’re dealing with Him and carefully consider your response to what you’re hearing.”
This email was back in February 4th, 2017, so perhaps Victor’s new video, 10 months later, may have a bit of change from that time, but if not, should give some more context.
Hi Jay
A few things arising from your comments:
1. You are thorough and clearly seek the truth in this matter.
2. I do not consider myself a theologian and do not want to especially cross swords with Victor, you or Paul in this area/subject.
3. A changing position (like you refer to with Victor’s take [Paul at the time was a proxy for Victor]) indicates hypocrisy and/or confusion. Victor speaks a lot of truth in his article but the kicker is plain to see “You reject MY leadership/interpretation of what God is saying!” Thus Victor is hoist by his own petard when found out to be a hypocrite (the number one complaint from those who have left PoT) accusing others of the very pride that ensnares him.
4. With Christ as the central point of reference for all Christians and the same Holy Spirit working in all our lives we must come closer to each other during the natural sanctification process. In that sense I see us all having greater likeness to the prophets and men of God of old like Moses. I see this as a progressive thing as we all grow and mature in time and also a divine thing in that some of us are called for certain tasks “such a time as this” and others not so much for the moment. I’m not happy to be called one of “Moses prophets” like you have suggested; likewise Victor or yourself. Christ-ian as the early believers were called is sufficient, and if you want to put a more detailed label: “Working in the prophetic realm” (speaking it like it is) if you really must.
Thanks for commenting here again.
I did read the article “working in the prophetic” and agree. It might have slipped my mind by accident as I wrote the comment but it is mostly point 3 that was what I was a bit irritated with victor’s hypocrisy.
My comment had a bit of careless sarcasm. I think though at this point I am confident in an answer and didn’t mean to sound like I was asking you.
I was reading an online article from a site (lebtahor.com) and found this description of the author criticizing these “independent movements”:
“I will assemble my own band of loyal followers [cheering section] by creating strife and division, throw around some “mystical” or kabbalistic terms, and then refer to all others who are not as “knowing” with derogatory names such as “kirche” or “xtians” while justifying my actions as “tough love”. I will, of course, choose a “special” name for The Almighty and the Messiah that only my group of followers will use. If anyone tries to question why it is not translatable from the original Hebrew, I will just point to my “credentials”, or perhaps claim that “ha satan” is attempting to persecute me because I am the “chosen” messenger. ”
Reminds me when Victor and Martin failed to debate you in the Holocaust emails.
Continuing from the site:
“For my finale, maybe I can imply that I am the one written about who is “like Moses”, and that all the people who have been enlightened by my “deep teaching” should follow me as their leader into a “greater exodus”. I will “teach” them, through utilizing my “sod” kabbalistic interpretation of the scriptures, and of course through “direct revelation”, that they should sell all of their belongings, and then generously support my “ministry”. It will be most important that they do this while waiting patiently for me to get my “direct revelation”, even though I am a proven false prophet, signaling that it is the correct time for me to lead all of the “true believers” out of the United States [or “babylon” if you prefer] into the “promised land” which will be somewhere in the middle east. I will through my “teachings” reinforce the importance of us being there as predicted in Biblical prophecy, so that we the “remnant”, “the elect”, and the ones who are “great in the kingdom of heaven”, can usher in the Messiah and fulfill the end time prophecy.”
Not that everything Victor said was false, but I see that he isn’t the only “unique” one zealous and stumbling at this point. I am not trying to be critical on him, but at the same time I am getting a bit fed up with those of his type. I say “his type” because since leaving POT I stumbled in two more groups, GOCC and most recently James Trimm. The former is the typical overzealous independent “christians” i have seen too many times online, the latter taught me a lot on his website but I found he did a bunch of sins he never openly repented from. At least Victor has done repentance before…
I guess this would make that my third and fourth blocks to put in my belt. I feel too many bricks though may make my belt sag.
(I am not entirely sure if this comment is too big to place on here or if this will provide anything more to the discussion. If not feel free to remove it.)
Hi Jay
> Reminds me when Victor and Martin failed to debate you in the Holocaust emails.
Anyone can speak some truth. Victor and Paul do that. Integrity as a genuine truthseeker however is hard – damned hard actually – and requires a huge dollop of humility. You see the hypocrisy of PoT revealed as you say in failure to push through with their discussion and defensiveness via aggression when challenged. This hypocrisy is why all PoT adherents have left and Victor has a revolving door of staff and adherents. I believe the root of this is cognitive dissonance in Victor. He genuinely believes what he says – in particular about himself, yet this is unpalatable to many who learn the truth about his skeletons. The real problem though is not Victor. He’s the root cause of course – the root of the problem is that those who criticise, calling his operation a cult etc exacerbate the problem and give him good reason to perpetuate his own aggression.
> [More like Victor]
Jay you have referred to notches in your belt, basing this I presume on my advice to move on from your painful experience with PoT and take it as learning on your journey. What it appears that you are doing is repeating the same mistake in how you got into a pickle with PoT in the first place. There is no complete truth outside of Christ. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a perfect wife, or a perfect job, or a perfect church or truth itself; this world is not a place where you can find perfection. My advice is to recognise this ASAP because the pain will continue for you until you do. Yes, Jesus is the Truth; Yes the Holy Spirit is perfect and does work in all of our lives as we humble ourselves, listen and obey, but contrary to what Victor and PoT teach while we can connect with Him, do godly things; teach godly truths, we are all fallible. Far, far better for you to seek truth through Him, than others like the ones that you mention.
It took ten individual nudges, circumstances and events before I recognised the Holy Spirit calling me out of the denominational/organised church. It took nine separations from my ex-wife before I put my foot down and demanded that which I deserved. It took Eli three awakenings before he realised that Samuel was getting prompted by the living God. It’s going to take you three or four times to realise that you have a good brain and genuine faith and that He can and does relate with you personally in a way that you can grow in faith in the direction He wants. I hope for your sake it isn’t going to be five!
Blessings!