With a pastoral concern, I write to advise you against participating in James River Church’s “Week of Power.” When the Spirit of God burdens my heart with something, then multiple people inquire of me concerning the same thing, I simply cannot ignore it. Remember, I have often defended JRC. I do not need to be in perfect alignment with their church to recognize their contribution to our community. You might remember the article I wrote, “Yoga, Yoga, Yoga” in defense of Pastor John Lindell’s sermon dealing with the occult while many others took aim at him. I have no axe to grind against my brothers and sisters in Christ. However, I am deeply concerned about Bill Johnson’s and Randy Clark's false teachings. Like Paul to the Corinthians, I do not desire to hurt anyone, but I will not apologize for sharing this warning (2 Corinthians 7:5–9). I love my fellow believers; I do not want to see Christians being led astray. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1, ESV)
In our current sermons series: “Colossians, Christ Over All Things,” we are being confronted with the “Colossian Heresy.” We understand the false teachers of their day were teaching legalism, mysticism and asceticism. And while it is not in my purview to label every pastor I disagree with a “heretic,” it is a biblical mandate to point out heretical teachings. It is my warning that the extreme charismatic views of Bill and Randy could be damaging to your spiritual formation. Mysticism is at the heart of much of their teaching. Some examples are “grave soaking,” “private revelation,” “falling angel feathers,” “talking to their angels.” The list is long and I can’t address all my concerns without writing a book. But what you need to know is that they are adding to the work of Christ, when Christ himself was and is sufficient.
[8] See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ…[18] Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,(Colossians 2:8,18 ESV)
If you know me, you know I am not a cessationist. I believe in miracles. I believe in all of the gifts of the Spirit. As I’ve studied the scriptures and church history, I’ve come to believe in a “Now, but Not Yet” view of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is “Now” from the day Jesus appeared. He lived a perfect life, received a brutal death, was buried, resurrected and ascended to the Father. At the same time, the Kingdom is “Not Yet” fully realized by Christians until we have been gloriously resurrected with Him in our death. We will indeed do "greater things” as Jesus told us we would do (John 14:12-14). After all, he started the movement, but left us to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). That’s why Paul rejoiced in his sufferings for the sake of the gospel. “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church," (Colossians 1:24, ESV) What was lacking? The greater things of the Great Commission. Yes! Some received physical healings as the gospel went out! But millions have been saved and are still being saved. The gospel is still in the process of reaching the ends of the earth.
On Sunday morning, in his sermon, Bill Johnson said “I love the ‘now, but not yet’ view” (of the Kingdom). But he never developed a view of the “Not Yet.” He only went forth espousing a fully realized Kingdom where every Christian can and should fully participate in this full reality. If this were true, I hardly believe Bill would be packing out worship venues to teach about healing. If this reality was true, he would be in every hospital, like Peter allowing his very shadow to bring healing to the sick as he passes by them (Acts 5:15). In fact, Bill has a long history of making dangerous claims of the Kingdom, only to back-peddle later saying, “we don’t believe that at Bethel Church.” However, his teaching continues in the same vein.
Here are the dangers with believing that the full realities of heaven are available to every believer, all the time. If one subscribes to his beliefs, they will inevitably believe 1 of or all 3 fallacies:
There must be something wrong with God. Often times, these false assurances of healing lead to disbelief. Many have walked away from Christ and His church concluding, “He must not be real.” God will not be mocked; do not make a mockery of His healing works. (Galatians 6:6-7)
There must be something wrong with the person who prayed for healing. If healing does not occur, one logical conclusion is, “the healer lacks what it takes in the Spirit to impart healing to someone in need.”
There must be something wrong with me. “If God did not heal me, I must lack the faith required to receive healing.” This was the very problem Paul was addressing in his letter to the Colossians. Some Christians were being made to feel inferior to those who were claiming to have special revelation and experiences beyond the gospel.
These are all thorns and thistles of false teaching. They bring damaging outcomes by choking out the fruit of the Spirit. It often leads to pretending and performing the supernatural elements of the faith. The fake elements choke out the belief of lost people when miracles truly happen.
Here’s the truth: I agree with much of what Bill Johnson teaches. He preaches many truths. But that’s what makes his teachings so dangerous. It’s the small departures from the truth that do the damage. A great example comes from his message on his visit to JRC in 2021. When describing the baptism of Jesus, he described the Spirit of God descending on Jesus “as a dove.” But the word of God says, the Spirit descended upon him “like a dove.” (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:21, John 1:32) In other words, it reminded the gospel writers of a dove lighting upon him. But the word never implies that the Spirit is a dove. So he moved to Genesis 8:6-9, telling the story of Noah sending out a dove. But Noah actually sends out a Raven first. Then a dove, 3 times. On the third attempt, the dove found a place to land. Bill somehow interposes the Holy Spirit into Noah's dove. As he moved to John 20, where Jesus suddenly appeared with them in a room that was locked, Bill acknowledged the fear of the disciples upon seeing Jesus and concluded “the dove” (meaning the Spirit) couldn’t find a place to land on the men in that room because of their fear, or supposed lack of faith.
Can you see the subtle danger? This is an example of eisegesis. He was making the text say what he wanted it to say, not what the biblical writer intended to say. In this case, it is the over-spiritualization of a passage which is part and parcel within mysticism. When preachers build a case for their pet theologies, in Bill’s case a healing ministry, they are ignoring “the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27)
My warning is simple, stay away from these teachers. It is not my desire to bash a man or a church. It is simply my purpose to shine the gospel light on dangerous teaching. So instead, if you are seeking the Lord for healing, rather than going to see an itinerant “Word of Faith” preacher, I recommend going to your local church. Call on your pastor/elders for prayer. If you need healing follow the words of James: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14, ESV)” As I write this, I look at a vile of oil situated on my desk and I am reminded of God’s faithfulness. But as I look at my Bible situated next to it, I am also reminded, there are no formulas to attain God’s will. Don’t impose your will on our heavenly Father. We should always seek miracles. But we should always trust His will. His good and perfect will is what you desire…whether in suffering or in healing. Praise be to God!