A Blog by Steven Kozar
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Here’s a detailed (and disturbing) video of the false teaching from Bill Johnson’s popular YouTube video called “Presence of God by Bill Johnson”
For more information:
Check out the new and improved: The Messed Up Church website!
Do you feel that Church is not enough? Are you bored with the Bible? What you need is to directly contact God in a sorta creepy, yet experiential way. That's right, it's...
(Click the GIFs to see more)
Make sure the hypnotic and emotionally manipulative "praise" music is cranked up and prepare to get zapped!
If the chaos, confusion, and scariness remind you of a haunted house, then you KNOW it's a movement of God! You can FEEL it!!
Here's a fire tunnel at Bethel, where they've got a "prophetic puppet," which Bethel sells for $100. If the puppet isn't weird enough, there's also a guy biting people on their necks.
This is from Bethel "pastor" Seth Dahl, who is selling this prophetic puppet on the Bethel store (we posted this article about it in February, 2016):
In summary: Fire tunnels are a terrific way to spread germs, spirits, demons, weirdness and puppets (if you've got $100).
We hope this was helpful in your pursuit of the Encounter Gospel, but if you need more information:
The Fortune-Telling "Encounter Gospel" of Bethel & the NAR Explained
The Hypnotic Worship "Encounter Gospel" of Bethel & the NAR Explained
The Creepy, Drunk and Weird "Encounter Gospel" GIF Gallery!
Here's a related, serious article:
"It all starts with a Dream! A God-Sized Dream!" To get started, you must believe that God expects you to dream up some outlandish desire in order to accomplish your Destiny. Because if you attempt to "do the impossible," God will miraculously answer your prayers and thus "get all the glory." You must take risks, step out in faith, and do something impossible. You and your dream must become the focus of your faith.
You then step out in faith and do something really stupid. (Often, this involves giving money to someone who teaches this stuff.)
Next, this ridiculous thing you've attempted doesn't work and you've got big problems. (Wow, what a surprise.)
Instead of admitting your big mistake, you will now focus all of your attention on the future and the great things that you'll accomplish after you get your breakthrough (your "Destiny"). Because the finished work of Christ dying on the cross to pay for our sins happened a long time ago, you will forget about it. Christianity gradually becomes a magic wand you keep waving around in order to get God to do stuff, and the "holy spirit" will demand more and more attention as he continually confuses you, embarrasses you and demands that you become more hungry, desperate and broken. He also wants you to be on fire.
At this point you'll latch onto all of the sermons about fighting battles, getting a fresh new word from God, and fending off demons, pythons, and sneaky squids. "The devil knows about your Dream/Destiny and he wants to stop you!" You take your last few bucks to buy yet another book/DVD/CD/conference ticket, hoping to learn the "secret" to getting your breakthrough; you know, the breakthrough you wouldn't even need if you hadn't done something stupid...
Here is where you'll probably find people to "prophetically" declare something over you, in order to give you a "breakthrough." Nothing will really change, but you'll try really hard to pretend otherwise. You might go to see famous "prophets" who claim to be "anointed," because you believe they can help you, but they only help you to lose more money.
You have a suspicion in the back of your mind that you've entered a cult-like state of mind, but you don't want to admit it to anyone. There's a part of you that would like to go back to being a "normal" person, but you've been told that thinking that way is a direct attack of the devil.
The Bible is no longer the story of God redeeming sinful mankind (The Gospel); it is more like a book of incantations to ward off evil spirits and make your dreams (finally) come true. You've largely forgotten about the simple Gospel message in your attempt to get secret knowledge from God (this is called "Gnosticism," by the way).
You're (secretly) willing to skip the whole dream/destiny thing and just have some stability in your life, but the experts you're listening to tell you to "press in to get your miracle!" or something like that, and you still believe them. So, the very people whose bad ideas got you into this mess are the people you continue to listen to. How's that working for you?
The one thing you don't want to do is have a "have a religious spirit." This meaningless catch-phrase keeps you locked into all of this chaos and confusion. How's that working for you?
There are a number of bad ideas that you've been taught, and they all work together to prevent you from seeing the very obvious fact that you've become delusional. If you don't want to lose your mind, please read this article to see these bad ideas described and refuted: Defusing Demonic Dirty Bombs
You refuse to acknowledge that a collection of bad ideas ("doctrine") has replaced the clear teachings of the Bible. In fact, you believe the doctrine that says "doctrine is not important." You like the teachers who teach you that teaching is bad. Here are a whole bunch of Bible verses that you are deliberately ignoring: Shocking Stuff You're Not Supposed to Know!
But you stick with those bad ideas because you like them.
You continue to listen to false teachers because you like them.
You continue attending a church that teaches false doctrine because you like it.
Congratulations! You have lost your mind.
“For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”
Here are a few more articles (with links to more articles) that discuss this difficult issue:
Confirmation Bias: Why You Are Protecting Your False Beliefs
The Hyper-Charismatic House of Cards: Let It Fall and Be Free
Here's a recent episode of Fighting for the Faith where the author of this article (Steve Kozar) talks with Chris Rosebrough and @Aspree about this topic: How Not to Shipwreck Your Faith; here's the YouTube version: How Not to Shipwreck Your Faith
Here's a great little video from Chris Rice on this topic:
This article by Steven Kozar; check out his new and improved: The Messed Up Church website!
Here's Todd White contradicting himself about the way of salvation; on one hand he says that "we don't get anyone saved," but then he says that he can get people saved by claiming them with his super powerful words. He says "I can actually claim somebody that doesn't believe and there's no way for them to get out of it." This is utterly bizarre and confusing:
Here's Todd White, the highly-paid professional speaker, partnering with his "mentor and spiritual father," the ridiculous prosperity preacher Kenneth Copeland (seen with his good friend and fellow prosperity preacher Jesse Duplantis). Todd White talks about how God requires us to be "uncomfortable in order for this Christian life to work right," while Copeland and Duplantis desire comfort so much that they require their own private jets:
Here's Todd White, the highly-paid professional speaker, yelling a lot and telling God what He must do. "Right now!! Right now!! Right now!! Right now!!" seems to be the magic catchphrase:
Here's Todd White, the highly-paid professional speaker, telling people stories that are... "shocking:"
Here's Todd White, the highly paid professional speaker, literally bragging about how good he is. How does he know how good he is? Because he lives with himself! Do not question this highly paid professional speaker:
“They tie up heavy loads, burdens that are hard to carry, and place them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to help them. They do all their works to be seen by people. They make their phylacteries wide and lengthen the fringes of their garments. They love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the greetings in the marketplaces, and being called “Rabbi” by the people.”
“You cannot serve God and mammon. Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things, and they were scoffing at Him.”
“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Here's an article with details on Todd's obscene income: Todd White: How Much Money Does He Actually Make?
Here’s a giant compilation of articles about Todd White: The Todd White Cornucopia of False Teaching
In the previous episode of this little series, I wrote about the fortune-telling Encounter Gospel, but now I'm going to explain another great way to have an Encounter With God: Hypnotic Worship!
Here's a quick summary of the new and better Gospel of the Kingdom:
How does Bethel teach you to provide proof of God's existence? How can you quickly and easily convert just about anyone you want?
You're practically guaranteed to Encounter God during the worship time at Bethel and churches like it (especially if they've got a moderately capable rock band, an emotional lead singer and plenty of electricity). The important thing is to suspend all of your disbelief and become completely open to the hypnosis of modern praise music (the very lengthy and repetitive songs will certainly help!).
A gigantic church like Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation, or many other wannabe churches can't reach many people when it's done person to person (plus, pastor/celebrities don't often like to mix with the general public). But packing thousands of like-minded, receptive and gullible people into a darkened room allows the full manipulation treatment to work its magic. Rest assured that once you've entered into this carefully controlled environment, the lights, fog machines, music and passionate song leaders will do the rest. You're gonna feel it! (Note: At a normal rock concert you would feel it too, but in this case we will always refer to "it" as God, the Holy Spirit.)
When this mass Encounter really gets going and the crowd is worked up into a frothy madness, the best worship leaders start making stuff up on the spot...
This Encounter thing is so important that churches are scheduling various events in order to make sure everyone has one. For instance, you can have a special Encounter service or conference at your church (the best ones have a guest speaker from Bethel!):
Of course, nothing beats the ultimate Encounter: going to an actual Jesus Culture/Bethel Event!! This is where God spends most of His time! (Although, there is this nagging question: If "one encounter changes everything" why do they keep scheduling these events? Shouldn't everything be changed by now??)
Here's another idea that seems to make sense: simply name your church "Encounter Church" or something like that:
This last Encounter thing is almost too good to be true, I hesitate to even mention it because unless you live in Nashville you'll never get to experience it for yourself. What is it? It's a church full of worship leader/rock stars! And if that isn't enough, they have Encounter Classes!!
"Encountering God" through modern hypnotic worship music was never modeled or taught to the church in the New Testament... so just ignore that.
Seriously, this is a very important topic; the hope of this article was to grab your attention and cause you to consider things that you might have overlooked and encourage you to more carefully delve into what the Bible actually teaches.
Here's a video with some sobering thoughts:
Here is a related episode of Fighting for the Faith with links to a lot of articles on this topic:
Tired of getting no results with old-fashioned, Bible-based Christianity? It's time to go off the map with Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton and all of their New Apostolic Reformation friends! In this first episode of this series we will focus on the fortune-telling aspect of the "Encounter Gospel," so get out your tarot cards, oops... I mean get out your Destiny Cards and let's get started! Here's a quick summary of the new and better Gospel of the Kingdom:
People aren't really that bad, they just need to be convinced of how special they are-they need to understand their "true identity."
Religion is the real source of people's problems, not rebellion against God (sin).
God is desperately trying to get people to "accept" Him, but He's been hindered by the historic Christian Church, with its specific, Biblical teachings about Salvation, Heaven and Hell, The Atonement of Jesus Christ, and all other forms of unnecessary "head knowledge" found in the Bible.
People would believe in God if they could just see some proof for themselves.
Bethel teaches how to give people the proof they need to believe that God is real, He loves them, and He wants all of their dreams to come true so they can fulfill their "Destiny."
How does Bethel teach you to provide proof of God's existence? How can you convert anyone you want?
Give people an "encounter with God." This is the new and better "Gospel of the Kingdom!"
Tell them something about themselves that can only be known supernaturally, exactly like a psychic, only much better!
Always tell them something good about themselves; especially about how they have a great "Destiny" and how God thinks they're amazing.
Do NOT call this fortune-telling, call it prophecy. Examples: "I operate in the prophetic," or "I have a prophetic gifting/anointing/mantle/office," or "Wow! I received a prophecy from Theresa and it was dead-on!" or "These aren't tarot cards-they're prophecy cards!"
It helps if you have some stock phrases memorized ahead of time, like these: "I'm sensing a shift in the atmosphere," or "You've been waiting for a breakthrough, haven't you?" or "God wants you to know that you're very special and He hasn't forgotten about you."
If your prospect appears skeptical or nervous, assure them that you're getting direct downloads from the third heaven realm.
Remember, you want people to feel confirmed, accepted and convinced of their value as unregenerate and unreconciled people ("sinners"); so do NOT mention outdated ideas like the need to repent before a Holy and Sovereign God who is angry at their sin. This means that Jesus dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins can (and should) be ignored.
If you don't have effective fortune-telling skills you can always bring people to a manipulative "church" service (the bigger the better!), where highly emotional music is performed, theatrical stagecraft with dramatic lighting is utilized, and unverifiable stories are repeated by skillful speakers who can sell God's "Presence" and convince audience members to make "decisions" for Jesus.
Our next installment in this series will explain the Hypnotic Worship "Encounter Gospel"
Topless Dancing at Christalignment "Workshop"-Does Kris Vallotton Approve?
Bethel Church Tells Witch that She's "On the Right Path" and "God is So Proud of Her!"
Cindy Jacobs Explains Her Psychic Ability as "Spiritual Reading"
Here are some NAR filmmakers and pastors talking about the Encounter Gospel that they gladly teach and promote:
“John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
“And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
“And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.””
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.”
“As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
This article by Steven Kozar; check out his new and improved: The Messed Up Church website!
(Please read this entire article)
We all know how important it is to have massive encounters with God, right? Well, now it can be fun, too! Introducing the brand new board game from Bethel Church in Redding, California: "The Bethel Board!" (And it's just in time for Christmas!)
Since the prophet Kris Vallotton decided that "Christian Tarot Cards" were okay (as long as we call them "Destiny Cards") we are now free to welcome any Occult, New Age, or fortunetelling practices into the church and into our living rooms! Imagine all the fun you'll have as you get direct downloads from the Third Heaven! With this spiritual-but-not-religious new board game, you'll be just like Bill Johnson himself (and without his vacuous, rambling and incoherent speeches to spoil all the fun).
And don't keep all the fun to yourself, invite your pagan friends over to play the game so they can get a "reading" on their "destiny!" They'll never know you're a Christian! What a great way to reach the lost with the message of Destiny, Presence Therapy, Dream Interpretation and Relationship Alignment.
For all of you narrow-minded people who think this is just a re-packaged Ouija board, you have nothing to fear because this game draws from the same divine energy of the Christ spirit, as ancient followers did and it operates only out of the third heaven realm to gain insight and revelation. Don't worry, Bethel Board encounters coming from the third heaven realm bring lasting life transformation and guidance!
So pick up this supernaturally exciting new game at your local Christian Bookstore today!
This whole article is fake, it's a crazy over-the-top satire piece. Or is it really "over-the-top?"
The language used in this article comes from Bethel Church and from Christalignment.org, in fact, the last paragraph simply inserts "Bethel board" into sentences taken word for word from the home page of Christalignment (note the bottom two paragraphs):
The people at Christalignment are serious about going undercover so they can use Destiny Card readings to tell people their "Destiny" (and not preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ). Here are some examples from the Christalignment website:
Christalignment and Bethel Church teach the same things! Here's a story written by a student of Bethel's "School of Supernatural Ministry" where students are encouraged to operate undercover at New Age/Psychic fairs: Are You More Religious Than Jesus?
Here's a screenshot of the article:
Global Awakening, which was founded by Randy Clark (a very close friend of Bill Johnson and Bethel) produced a movie called Witch City that features their students doing exactly the same thing as Christalignment:
Please, read more about this important topic:
Kris Vallotton and Bethel Cannot Escape Link to New Age Occultism
Bethelgate – looking under the rug of Bethel administration.
Hodge connects ChristAlignment to Bethel; Bethel retracts statement.
Kris Vallotton RUNS From His Own Facebook Post!!
The "Christian" Tarot Card Controversy at Bethel Redding
Read about witches getting positive "prophetic words" at Bethel Church: Bethel Church Tells Witch that She's "On the Right Path" and "God is So Proud of Her!"
“I used to preach Christ and Him crucified for sinners, but now I do readings on people so I can tell them their destiny.”
This article by Steven Kozar; check out his new and improved: The Messed Up Church website!
Here's a blog post from Bethel Church's Senior Associate Leader (next to lead pastor Bill Johnson):
8 Signs of a Wealthy Mindset by Kris Vallotton
If you want to tickle itching ears with a prosperity/Word of Faith message it helps if you can talk out of both sides of your mouth. Vallotton is an expert. He begins his article by saying:
"Do you know that God wants you to be wealthy? It may be contrary to what we’re usually taught in the church, but I believe that wealth is a sign of God’s blessing in your life, and it’s how we are made to live as children of the living King! Think about it, if your Dad rules the world, then you are royalty on this earth and have access to everything He has access to."
This is the same old Word of Faith/prosperity Gospel that has ruined millions of lives around the world, right? But then he says this:
"I want to make sure you’re understanding that I’m not talking about being rich. Although fruit of a wealth mindset is living in abundance, wealth is much bigger than simply having a lot of money."
Wait... I thought he just said that God wants us to be wealthy? This is where he starts talking about a thing he calls a "wealthy mindset." So is this about monetary wealth or isn't it? Yes. No. Depends on which sentence you read. Vallotton then says this:
"Wealth is a “can do” attitude, a “more than enough” mindset, and a “nothing is impossible” belief system. How do you know the mark of a wealth mindset? It displays itself through radical generosity, extraordinary compassion, sacrificial giving, and profound humility. Wealth is always thankful, never jealous, doesn’t brag, celebrates others and looks to the future with hope."
Doesn't that last sentence sound kind of like a Bible verse? Only the Bible uses the word "love" where Kris Vallotton uses the word "wealth."
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
— 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Why in the world is he exchanging the Bible's clear teaching about love for a make-believe statement about wealth? Because Vallotton (like his buddy, Bill Johnson) is just another prosperity preacher. He doesn't care about mixing up words or teachings; he's got an agenda. He then goes on to list 8 things to determine if you have a poverty mindset or a wealthy mindset:
1. Poverty lives for today, wealth leaves a legacy.
2. Poverty finds a problem in every opportunity; while wealth finds an opportunity in every problem.
3. Poverty feels entitled, while wealth feels empowered.
4. Poverty fears the future, while wealth makes history.
5. Poverty blames others for their condition, while wealth takes responsibility for things that aren’t their fault.
6. Poverty asks, “What are you going to do for me?” Wealth asks, “Who is worthy of my investment?”
7. Poverty hangs around with other disgruntled people who validate their accusations. Wealthy people surround themselves with other powerful influencers.
8. Poverty votes for candidates that increase their entitlements. Wealth elects officials who will sacrifice today’s comfort for tomorrow’s children.
Although Vallotton's teaching doesn't make it clear which comes first, a good attitude or a big pile of money, he is clearly teaching that wealthy people are better people. Wealthy people have good morals and good attitudes. Does the Bible teach this?
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”
— James 5: 1-5
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
“And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
“Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
After he tells his readers to carefully consider his 8 points, he says this:
"I know that God wants to encounter you in the way you think about his abundant provision in your life! Invite Him in to speak to you about the ways He wants to pour out His resources in your life."
So, now that you know (for sure) that God wants you to be wealthy, you just need to invite God into the situation. God wants you to be wealthy, but His hands are tied until you do your part. For the icing on this heresy cake Vallotton takes a Bible verse and mangles it to be about our need to have a wealth mentality; he concludes with this:
"As it says in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I believe God wants to transform the way you think about this topic!"
Wow.
Kris Vallotton actually wants (gullible) people to believe that Romans 12: 2 is about how God wants us to be wealthy, but we need to change how we think in order for this to happen.
Really?!
The problem with this world is that nobody wants to be wealthy enough, so God wants to transform how we think about it??
News flash for Kris Vallotton: When the Bible tells us not to conform to the pattern of this world it means this: Do not conform to the pattern of this world!
Here's Kris bragging about his new sports car on Facebook:
2 Peter 2:1-3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
Romans 16:18 “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”
2 Corinthians 2:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.”
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”
The day after Kris Vallotton posted this article Benny Hinn was all over the news, because federal investigators were searching his offices. Benny Hinn is a huge prosperity preacher and Kris Vallotton is following in his footsteps. Hinn was an honored guest speaker at Vallotton's Bethel Church earlier this year. Here's Benny Hinn and Vallotton's co-pastors, Bill and Benni Johnson:
Todd White: he IS the Bible!!
Read MoreHere's an absolutely fascinating interview with Benny Hinn's nephew, Costi Hinn. Costi went from being an insider in his world-famous uncle's ministry to being just a "regular" Bible-teaching pastor. Please listen and share this episode with your friends who need to hear the real Gospel message!
Costi Hinn
Here is the website for Costi Hinn's church: Mission Bible Church
Here is the media ministry website for Mission Bible Church: Equip the Saint
Costi Hinn's articles on Pulpit and Pen: Pulpit and Pen
His Twitter handle is: @costiwhinn
Here are some of the articles that were mentioned in this podcast:
A Very Confused "Word of Faith" Man Writes Me An Email
Cognitive Dissonance and the Silly Putty Jesus
The Hyper-Charismatic House of Cards: Let It Fall and Be Free
Shocking Stuff You're Not Supposed to Know!
Benny Hinn Waves Jacket at Hospital-Instantly Heals Everyone
The Word of Faith Cornucopia of False Doctrine
The Bill Johnson Cornucopia of False Teaching, Bible-Twisting and General Absurdity
Here's a really interesting interview with Bart McCurdy, from Redding, CA:
Bart's Facebook page: Bethel Church and Christianity
Bart and Tony Miano's YouTube video: On The Road: The Dangers of Bethel Redding
Other articles of interest:
The Bill Johnson Cornucopia of False Teaching
What a Bargain-Bill Johnson's $400.00 Thumb Drive!!
Shocking Stuff You're Not Supposed to Know!
Cognitive Dissonance and the Silly Putty Jesus
Confirmation Bias: Why You Are Protecting Your False Beliefs
Attention: The following information could ruin Bill Johnson's lucrative career...
Here's a very short video that Bill Johnson's Bethel Church produced. It illustrates the technique Johnson uses a lot: he tells a story (any story will do) and from that story he asserts a principle, and he then teaches that principle as if it were universally true. This is how Johnson gets away with saying all sorts of ridiculous stuff all the time.
When a pastor takes his own ideas and inserts them into a Biblical text it's called eisegesis. Bill Johnson takes this bad method even further: he takes an idea that isn't even in the Bible and simply claims it as truth-no Bible necessary.
In this video he retells a story from Kathryn Kuhlman (not a good source for anything, but that's another issue) and from this story he makes this assertion: "The need to be right comes from a poverty of spirit." Almost sounds like a Bible verse, doesn't it? But it's not, it's just another saying that can mean anything. And, of course, it has some truth to it. But in the case of this little clip, it appears this might be Johnson's way of saying, "Hey all of you discernment Christians out there on the internet-you have a poverty of spirit!" Of course, he is ignoring the wealth of Bible verses about having good sound TRUE doctrine! And what you are not supposed to notice is that Bill Johnson thinks he's right about a lot of things-in fact, he has become very rich by standing up in churches all over the world and telling people what he thinks is true. His version of Christianity is, all too often, not derived from the Bible, but from stories, visions, dreams and ideas that come out of his head.
“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
For further research, here's The Bill Johnson Cornucopia of False Teaching, Bible-Twisting and General Absurdity
Bill Johnson is a major leader in the New Apostolic Reformation.
Bill does NOT want you to remember his involvement in The Charismatic Day of Infamy
Bill Johnson has a warm and likable personality, and he comes across as a knowledgeable and godly man; but beneath his charming personality is a specific theological viewpoint that must be evaluated (just like any pastor). Although he uses Biblical words and phrases, Johnson preaches a Word of Faith version of Christianity that has no legitimate connection to Bible-based Christianity. He spends the vast majority of his time talking about his own ideas, visions and "downloads" from God, and very little time even quoting from God's (actual) Word.
He is proud of his friendship with prosperity preacher and obvious fraud, Benny Hinn, whom he had as an honored guest speaker at his church in 2017.
He was declared a top leader ("Apostle") by C. Peter Wagner in the New Apostolic Reformation, but he claims to be unaware of the very movement he's a prominent leader of. Bill Johnson does NOT want you to know about The Charismatic Day of Infamy. Bill Johnson and his co-pastor, Kris Vallotton have become extremely influential to millions of people around the world, but many Christians have simply assumed that these men must be trustworthy since they are so "popular" (rich and famous).
The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of good doctrine and the necessity of confronting false teachers.
An example of the utter nonsense coming from Bill Johnson
In the following Bill Johnson/Bethel Church memes, notice the emphasis on how important we are, and how the Christian life is not centered around worshipping Jesus, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (that is never mentioned), but instead it's a Word of Faith/Dominionist/Gnostic belief system, with a little bit of Chinese fortune cookie theology thrown in to tickle itching ears. Also, notice how many of these sayings directly contradict the Bible and don't even make sense (click the photos to view):
Here are a whole bunch of articles from different Christians from various theological and denominational backgrounds who all agree on the very un-Biblical and downright dangerous beliefs of Bill Johnson:
The New Age Propensities of Bill Johnson by Lighthouse Trails Research
Bill Johnson's Christology-A New Age Christ? by CrossWise (with links to more articles)
Bill Johnson-A Comedy of Errors by Marsha West (with links to more articles)
[Bill Johnson-Bethel Redding by Apostasy Watch]1] (with links to more articles and videos)
Bill Johnson's $400.00 Thumb Drive
The Physics of Heaven by Herescope (multi-part series)
The Charismatic Day of Infamy by Steven Kozar
List of Fighting for the Faith episodes with Bill Johnson
Errors of Bethel and Jesus Culture by Tony Wood
Cross Encounters Radio: Bethel Church by Tony Miano
Bill Johnson in Denial by Bud Press
Bill Johnson Uses Non-Biblical Story to Correct Bible-Believers by Steven Kozar
Bill Johnson, IHOP & Ancient Heresy Reborn Interview with Bob Dewaay
Book Review: When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles by Eric Davis
Bill Johnson Resource Page by Beyond Grace (multiple articles & links)
False Prophet Bill Johnson EXPOSED video
Bill Johnson and his false god video
Michael Brown's Spin Control for Bill Johnson
Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton Want the Mantle of False Teacher William Branham
Kris Vallotton: Prosperity Preacher Exchanging Love for Wealth
Kris Vallotton RUNS From His Own Facebook Post!!
Bill Johnson, IHOP and the "Passion" Translation by Spirit of Error
Interview With Bart McCurdy: What's REALLY Happening in Redding
The Mike Bickle and IHOP Cornucopia of False Teaching, Bridal Weirdness and 24/7 Confusion
"Getting Wasted with the Holy Spirit" at Bethel Redding
Kris Vallotton: "We Shouldn't Confess Our Sins to Each Other"
Bill Johnson Accepts Full Responsibility for Raging Fires in Redding, CA
Did this article really get you upset? Do have an urge to retreat back into your comfortable (and wrong) beliefs about Bill Johnson & Company? PLEASE read the following articles!
Confirmation Bias: Why You Are Protecting Your False Beliefs.
Assertions and Assumptions are NOT the Foundation of the Church
The Hyper-Charismatic House of Cards: Let it Fall and Be Free
Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, Benny Hinn and thousands of prosperity-preaching, false teachers around the world hope you never read this: Shocking Stuff You're Not Supposed to Know!
“And yet some people actually imagine that the revelation in God’s Word is not enough to meet our needs. They think that God from time to time carries on an actual conversation with them, chatting with them, satisfying their doubts, testifying to His love for them, promising them support and blessings. As a result, their emotions soar; they are full of bubbling joy that is mixed with self-confidence and a high opinion of themselves. The foundation for these feelings, however, does not lie within the Bible itself, but instead rests on the sudden creations of their imaginations. These people are clearly deluded. God’s Word is for all of us and each of us; He does not need to give particular messages to particular people.”
This is one of "pastor" Bill Johnson's cars:
Here's "pastor" Kris Vallotton bragging about his brand new sports car on Facebook:
Mathew 12: 38-41 "Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here."
Matthew 24: 3-14; 24-25 “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Vs. 24): For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (25) Behold, I have told you in advance.”
2 Peter 2:1-3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
Romans 16:18 “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”
2 Corinthians 2:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.”
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”
-This article by Steven Kozar
© Steven Kozar for Pirate Christian Media & Messed Up Church. Read a little about Steve on "Kozar's Korner." Prints of his paintings are available on our Bakesale and on his art website stevenkozar.com.
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“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3)
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