SKEPTICISM, BILL JOHNSON, AND THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION (NAR)

 

 

 

Skepticism plays an essential role in the Bible, both in seeking and defending the Faith. The Bereans wanted the truth. Therefore, they refused to simply inhale the preaching of Paul but checked everything out according to the Scriptures:

·       Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (Acts 17:11–12)

 

In seeking truth, skepticism is noble. When it is turned against the truth, it is ignoble and in opposition to the God of truth. Consequently, we need to be skeptical even within the Church. Therefore, Paul warned the Ephesians elders to be watchful:

·       I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. (Acts 20:29–31)

 

Evidently, warning against false teachers, arising from within their ranks, had been a central concern of Paul. Therefore, we must exercise skepticism:

 

·       Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21)

 

The work of the Spirit is not opposed to skepticism. Instead, they are complementary:

·       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)

 

Is Bill Johnson, the lead pastor of Bethel Church and self-proclaimed Apostle, a false prophet? He is both a seasoned and impressive pastor. However, he writes things that invite a Biblically healthy skepticism:

·       One of the primary issues that Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees was their approach to the Scriptures. They were very learned by the educational standards around them. They could quote, recite and teach others the commands of God, along with the commands they created from what they thought God wanted. But they could not do what they taught others to do. There was no impartation of grace that actually enabled them to obey the Word they studied.” (Johnson, Bill. Experience the Impossible: Simple Ways to Unleash Heaven’s Power on Earth, Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition, pp. 74-75).

 

Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees was not that they were too Biblical but unbiblical. At their core, they didn’t believe in what they had been preaching:

·       “and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent…But I know that you do not have the love of God within you…How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?...For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:38, 42, 44–47)

 

Consequently, what they did believe was an “abomination”:

 

·       And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)

 

Consequently, their understanding of the Scriptures was highly distorted. Johnson’s assessment seems to degrade the Word of God, something that Jesus never did:

·       But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

 

However, Johnson also seems to denigrate any skepticism in defense of the Word:

·       The concern of something not being biblical takes center stage as we try to eat the meat and throw away the bones. We all tend to interpret what is before us by our knowledge of Scripture learned from our own history. The problem is that we all have limited knowledge and exposure to truth. Let’s hope what we know is true, but what we know is also limited. That is true for all of us…Some go into fear mode, thinking that emotional experiences are in excess, and that excess is our greatest danger. It is true that emotionalism has caused problems for the Church throughout history. But extreme emotionalism is easy to spot. Rather, the quiet unbelief and resistance from the skeptic is a far greater enemy. It is a powerful deceiver because it has become accepted in much of the world’s church culture as wisdom and spiritual intelligence. (Johnson, Bill. Experience the Impossible: Simple Ways to Unleash Heaven’s Power on Earth, Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition, pp. 54-55)

 

Although Johnson correctly claims that our knowledge is limited, the Word should remain “center stage.” Consequently, we shouldn’t exalt emotionality to the level of the Scriptures and denigrate all skepticism as the “powerful deceiver,” even greater than emotionality. He fails to distinguish between a Biblical and a destructive skepticism:

·       Some cultures exalt skepticism as a virtue. Their greatest fear is being gullible or misled. The fear of being wrong prevents them from ever really being right. Such a deception sells books to the fearful, but does little to shape the course of history through bold faith for the glory of God. Skepticism masquerades as wisdom and is applauded by those without experience. To maintain their own positions, they question the rights of others to continue moving forward. Skepticism masquerades as wisdom and is applauded by those without experience In some church cultures, this kind of approach to God is treasured, as scary as that seems. It is a self-affirming approach to the supernatural that basically denies God’s involvement in the day-to-day issues of our lives. And anyone who seems to think that God actually cares about such things is quickly marked as delusional. This is a group that asks for proof.” (Johnson, Bill. Ibid, p. 104)

 

There are sound reasons for skepticism, proof, and fearing that we might be taking the wrong road. However, Johnson wrongly vilifies all skeptics as “masquerade[ing] as wisdom…applauded by those without experience.” Some have had experiences at Bethel and have left confused and injured.

 

Johnson also attacks skeptics as “den[ying] God’s involvement in the day-to-day issues of our lives.” Instead, many who are skeptical of Johnson and the NAR strongly affirm God’s involvement, even on a moment by moment basis (Romans 8:28).

 

Johnson also charges that skeptics “question the rights of others to continue moving forward.” Instead, we are concerned about the path that Bethel Church and the NAR have taken to “move forward.” Is it Biblical or is it deception into a false hope and Gospel? This question requires examination and not defensiveness.