Jesus Culture Theology - Christ not God - Heresy

Bill Johnson’s Christology Explained

In essence, Bill Johnson, Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, a recognized “apostle” by some, teaches that at conception, or at least prior to the Virgin Birth, Jesus divested Himself of all His divine attributes thereby living a sinless earthly existence by being totally reliant upon the Holy Spirit while receiving the power to do miracles at His baptism.  

This divine self-emptying is known as the kenosis doctrine as discussed here.  The quotes used in this section are taken from six different books by Bill Johnson (and one sermon) to illustrate that this teaching undergirds his entire theology. 

Jesus did everything as a man, laying aside His divinity in order to become a model for us.⁸           

…Jesus did everything in His earthly ministry as a man who had set aside all His divine privileges and power in order to model the Christian life for us.⁹ 

..Jesus set aside His divinity, choosing instead to live as a man completely dependent on God.¹⁰ 

…He laid his [sic] divinity aside as He sought to fulfill the assignment given to Him by the Father: to live life as a man without sin…¹¹ 

The above quotes can be construed such that Jesus retained all His divine attributes yet chose not to exercise them; however, the following illustrates that He no longer had inherent deity:¹² 

Jesus Christ said of Himself, ‘The Son can do nothing.’…He had NO supernatural capabilities whatsoever!…He performed miracles, wonders, and signs, as a man in right relationship to God…not as God.¹³ 

…Jesus had no ability to heal the sick.  He couldn’t cast out devils, and He had no ability to raise the dead.  He said of Himself in John 5:19, ‘the Son can do nothing of Himself.’  He had set aside His divinity.  He did miracles as man in right relationship with God because He was setting forth a model for us, something for us to follow….Jesus so emptied Himself that He was incapable of doing what was required of Him by the Father – without the Father’s help…¹⁴ 

Given that deity is by very definition supernatural, Johnson has, in effect, reduced Jesus to less than God.  

With Johnson’s claim that Jesus had no inherent ability to perform miracles in and of Himself, it is clear that Johnson means Jesus no longer had his divine attributes to utilize even if He so desired.  He “had NO supernatural capabilities”; He was totally and completely a man but “in right relationship to God” by the Holy Spirit

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False Spirits at Jesus Culture Conferences

Below is a video from the Jesus Culture Awakening conference, held in Chicago, August 2011:

Paul writes:  

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? (1 Cor 14:23)  

and later, in verse 29: 

Two or three prophets should speak, and others should weigh carefully what is said. 

                                              ***
The next video features Winnie Banov, from the Miracle Signs and Wonders conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Winnie and her husband Georgii are frequent co-speakers with Johnson at conferences in and outside the US: 

Finally, Stacey Campbell's false prophesy about fellow false prophet Todd Bentley. 

Bethel Church's Bill Johnson appears in the video on stage right, at this "anointing ceremony" for Bentley in 2008, in which Bentley's ministry as an apostle is announced, and he is "released" for service by the group, which calls itself the International Coalition of Apostles. 


“I believe last night was truly historic and a true sign of unity,” Bentley told Charisma today. “Many streams converged and I know last night’s commissioning will truly help bring God’s outpouring to a much larger part of the body.” 

Participating leaders at the ceremony included Wagner; Ché Ahn, pastor of Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, Calif.; John Arnott of Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship in Canada; Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, Calif.; and Rick Joyner, founder of MorningStar Ministries in Charlotte, N.C.

Wagner said to Bentley on the platform: “This commissioning represents a powerful spiritual transaction taking place in the invisible world. With this in mind, I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley, your power will increase, your authority will increase, your favor will increase, your influence will increase, your revelation will increase. 

“I also decree that a new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry. A new life force will penetrate this move of God. Government will be established to set things in their proper order. God will pour out a higher level of discernment to distinguish truth from error. New relationships will surface to open the gates to the future.” 

Not long after, it was revealed that Todd Bentley was living in adultery with a woman he became involved with during the Lakeland movement. He later divorced his wife and married his adulterous lover. The only streams that converged that night above Todd Bentley were the streams of counterfeit spirits that continue to fill the Jesus Culture movement today. These so called “Apostles” proved themselves to be ‘false apostles’ without true discernment.


Their practice of peddling deception continues today, at conferences such as this April 2012 Healing Conference at Rick Joyner's Morningstar Ministries: 
 

What can we say about what we have seen here? Some of my brethren have been caught up in the Jesus Culture "movement" and have been caught unaware because they do not know the truth. Others know the truth but reject it. 

King Ahab had this true prophet, Micaiah, thrown into prison (1 Kng. 22:26,27), because he did not want to hear the truth; he preferred, instead, to listen to the false prophets influenced by the lying spirit.  So Ahab went to battle in Ramoth Gilead in disguise (22:30).  But a random arrow hit the king between the sections of his armor, and later that day he died (22:34a,37).  King Ahab worshiped a God other than the real one, he was a thief, and he listened to a lie by an evil spirit; so he paid with his life.


It is interesting to note that Paul, describing some people in the end times (no doubt, in today’s world), said:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron (1 Tim. 4:1,2).

John also said: 

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

This precisely describes the situation of the lying false prophets speaking to King Ahab the things they were lured to speak by the lying spirit.  People really have not changed throughout the centuries; they still are voluntarily open to deception and often listen only to what they want to hear.  Almost no one wants to hear the truth when it implies that one should change.

Pray for Iranian Pastor Youcef || His Death May be Imminent

Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Arrested: October 2009
Days Imprisoned: 867 

Prisoner Alert Profile 

Youcef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old pastor from Rasht, about 750 miles northwest of Tehran, was arrested in October 2009 after he protested a government policy that required children, including his 8- and 9-year-old sons, to study the Quran in school. Youcef told school officials that the Iranian constitution allows for freedom of religious practice. As a result of his protest, secret police called him before a political tribunal and arrested him for protesting. The charges were later amended to apostasy and evangelism of Muslims. Youcef was tried on Sept. 21–22, 2010 by the 1st Court of the Revolutionary Tribunal and sentenced to death on Nov. 13 for apostasy.

Calling out False Teachers - Jesus Culture, Bill Johnson, Bethel Church

Insider's Guide to Deception in the Jesus Culture Movement

Below are Elijah List and false "prophetic movement"-related articles from Kevin Kleint, an ex-Elijah List employee. Elijah List is a mouthpiece for the Prophetic Movement ,of which Jesus Culture, Bill Johnson, and Bethel Church are a part. See examples of this involvement here and here.

The theme of his testimony, repeated by others who have escaped this deception, is the importance of exercising discernment. (Matthew 24:11, 1 Timothy 4:1)

To read the entire testimony of Kevin Kleint, entitled, "My 7 Years Working for the Elijah List", click on the following link: http://www.honorofkings.org/elijahlist/ 

"Between the years 2001-2008, Kevin Kleint was the web master for the Elijah List, the largest distributor of false “prophecy” for the Prophetic Movement. During this time, he learned some very difficult, yet beneficial, lessons about God, “the prophetic movement” and life in general. What’s more, he witnessed “first hand” the deception that goes on behind the scenes in what was (possibly) the most popular prophetic email ministry of the time.

If you read the following posts, you will gain insight into:

• True Grace vs. False Grace
• Idolatry and Witchcraft in “the Prophetic Movement”
• How the Elijah List rose in popularity after 9-11
• The exploitation and deception of the next generation
• How modern day prophets twist scripture to keep themselves “above reproach”
• How God’s faithfulness can (and will) bring you back to His side by just doing “the basics”

These posts have angered some who are “neck-deep” in the modern day “prophetic movement” (especially those who are profiting), and they have been a confirmation to others who knew that something was “off” all along.

Keep in mind, it is important to read ALL 10 POSTS to get a full picture of where Kevin is coming from.

1. Part 1: In the Beginning
2. Part 2: First Impressions Crumble
3. Part 3: My Experience with Todd Bentley
4. Part 4: Dismantling the Wall
5. Part 5: Mortar in the Wall
6. Part 6: Wicked Roots
7. Part 7: Lack of Discernment Has a Price
8. Part 8: The Next Generation
9. Part 9: My Way Home
10. Post-Prophetic Rehab: How to Get Back On Track

Rehab from the Signs & Wonders Movement

from  http://www.honorofkings.org/post-prophetic-rehab/ : 
I received a letter from someone who, like me, was involved in the Prophetic Movement for quite some time and has only recently had the eyes of their understanding opened to the Truth. They asked what steps should be taken to “rehabilitate” themselves and get back on track.

When you’re involved with the Prophetic Movement, there are so many distractions, half-truths and …. well, junk, that your vision gets foggy and you feel like you’re lost in the middle of a huge forest with no direction as to how to get out. You doubt your ability to hear God’s voice and the Truths and Promises of His Word no longer seem valid or reachable.

Have you had enough of the crazy visions, theories, “warfare”, visitations, psycho-twitches, HO’s and Shabbah’s?

THERE IS A WAY OUT!!!!

This answer is so simple, it’s easy to discredit it and sweep it under the rug.

Here’s the answer: READ YOUR BIBLE AND PRAY ….. A LOT!!!

Could it be this simple?? YES!!

Transform Your Thinking

We are told in Romans 12:2 to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This is the perfect way to find your way out of the forest … by having your mind transformed!

You’ve been wandering out in this sea of confusion, moved and shaken by every wind of doctrine and teaching of man …. you want a way out …. you want to chart your course in the direction of Ultimate Truth. The Word of God will do this for you!

The Spoken Word of God has it’s own Power that, when listened to and meditated upon, can actually CHANGE the way you think. It can fine tune your “spiritual” ear to actually be able to discern between the Holy Spirit and “other” types of spirits.

Be prepared to find ways of thinking in the Word of God that conflict with what you’ve learned in the Prophetic Movement. There are many things that I had to re-learn as my mind became more aligned with His Word.

Talk With God

The other thing that needs to happen is a lot of prayer. The Word says in 1 Thess. 5:17 to“pray without ceasing” … in other words, DON’T STOP!! While you may not be able to actually speak out in prayer all the time, you can keep yourself in a position of continually listening for His Voice. Hearing what He has to say is WAY more important than anything we think we need to pray.

As you’re listening, remember that you’ve been part of a movement that allows for other spirits to enter into the picture. This can result in a lot of confusion when listening to the Father’s Voice, so you really need to compare what you hear with what is in the Word of God. The Holy Spirit will NEVER NEVER NEVER tell you to do something that conflicts with what the Word says. Never be too prideful to admit that what you heard wasn’t from God … I’ve made this mistake a lot!!! I thought that I heard His voice and then acted before I compared it to His Word and ended up in a real mess!

Another gauge we can use to analyze if we’ve heard correctly is good bible-believing friends who have a proven track record with God. Not someone who sounds “spiritual” (there are plenty of those flakes), but someone who is solid, firm, grounded and steady in the Word … those are the ones you want to glean from.

Get Rid of the Fluff

The church has become entirely too dependent on books, worship CDs, teaching tapes and other “fluff”. Get rid of them …. especially if they are from the old way of life from which you are trying to escape – GET RID OF THEM! You don’t need worship CD’s to get into His Presence, you don’t need instruction from these books by people who think they’ve heard from God.

YOU NEED TO HEAR FROM GOD FOR YOURSELF!

When you get alone with God, quiet yourself and rely on Him alone for your spiritual experience … gradually, but faithfully, He will pour out on you such revelation that you will not have room to contain it! The Best Revelation comes directly from God, not from man.

Take the Time

How long it takes for you to be back “on track” really depends on you. How long are you willing to spend with Him daily? Do you really want to be back “on track”?

I want to challenge you to tithe your time and dedicate 1/10 of your day (2-1/2 hours) to spend time with God (not as a religious duty – think of it as an investment) in prayer and in the Word. This is a great way to break through certain ways of thinking and to re-establish a damaged foundation. It worked for me!

Fear the Lord and Watch for His Coming,

Blessings and Peace,

Kevin Kleint
Email: kevin@honorofkings.org

Is Bethel’s “Glory Cloud” a False Sign?

From http://www.honorofkings.org/bethel-glory/ :


Todd Friel from WretchedNetwork brings up some interesting scriptural insights as to why this “glory cloud” from Bethel Church in Redding, California is probably a false sign. I honestly had not even considered this angle until now.

For the record, I DO believe that God shows up supernaturally whenever and wherever He chooses. Supernatural signs and wonders did not stop with the book of Acts. So, why would He NOT show up at Bethel? How do I know this isn’t God?

Good Question.

From a practical perspective, it could come from the ventilation system. Yes, that’s a pretty weak argument, but you can’t rule out that possibility.

Not too long ago, photographs of “orbs” started to appear on the web, and people were just amazed … all too quick to believe that this just HAD to be a sign from God! The problem with this is you can’t find God manifesting as “orbs” in the Bible (why would He?) AND you can get the same effects on your photos if you have grains of dust on your camera lens.

There are also online pictures of streaks of light above people’s heads while they’re worshiping. But there are so many different colored lights and “effects” (strobes, flashes,etc) in these services that you really can’t get a credible (or believable) image to pass off as a “supernatural manifestation”.

I’m saying all this because believers who are eager to see God move can be extremely gullible. Usually the people distributing these photos and videos are extremely charismatic and excited, oftentimes deceived themselves. But we’re not called to just go along with every sign and wonder, in fact, we are to “test the spirits”.

So how do we know what is a “Manifestation from God” and what is just “our eyes playing tricks on us”?

That’s also a good question …. one I don’t have a complete answer for, but I DO have a starting point for you. Use the Word as your plumbline …. for everything! When you see or hear of a particular sign or wonder …. look in the Word for a similar event. How did God operate? How did the people respond? What did YOU see? How did YOU respond?

I’m pretty much going to side with Todd (and the Word) on this one. In the Bible, when the Glory of God showed UP, people went DOWN because His Presence was too much for them. They couldn’t stand in the middle of God’s Greatness.

Do we see that here? Nope.