Stories, Stories, and More Stories…

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Years ago, when I was actively involved in the Charismatic Movement (in the 1970’s), there was, in deliberate, though generalized preaching from God’s Word. The effort to include His Word was at least there and this was especially true of the Pentecostal churches I visited at the time. However, when I attended workshops, conferences or the like sponsored by the Full Gospel Businessman’s Association (FGBA), the guest speaker often relied much more heavily on personal testimony. It was not that God’s Word was ignored, but Scripture was mainly included as a backdrop, or “prop” to support the speaker’s specific personal testimony. In fact, I still have books written by some of the “names” in the Charismatic Movement at the time, and they relied heavily on Scripture only to support what they believed were “signs and wonders” of God in their lives at the time.

Without doubt, there is a time for personal testimony as it pertains to the transformed life of the individual who has been saved by God’s grace.  But, preaching and testimonials should not be strangers nor should they be in conflict. Unfortunately, this has fast become the existing situation for today’s Charismatic Movement, with its most extreme version known as New Apostolic Reformation (NAR).

I received an email blast from the folks at Church Watch Central yesterday and it involved discussion of modern day NAR “apostle/prophet,” Heidi Baker. In their article, they referred to a young woman named Lindsay Davis, who at one time attended Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), held in Redding, CA and overseen by NAR “apostles,” Bill Johnson and Kris Valloton.

Interestingly enough, Lindsay says she was eventually kicked out of BSSM because her understanding of Scripture collided with Bethel’s understanding of Scripture. This is to say that Bethel relies heavily not on Scripture, but on prophetic words given by people whom they believe to be either “apostles” or “prophets” within Christendom. Scripture is used, but too often used to support whatever they claim it to apply to and recognized by them as a movement of God. Lindsay tried to warn and educate others at Bethel regarding their seriously errant viewpoints but to no avail. Now, Lindsay tries to warn people from the outside.

The article from Church Watch Central highlighted a video from Lindsay that is just about an hour and a half in length. In it, she critiques Heidi Baker’s teachings, actions, and the way in which she relates to people who attend her conferences.

I’ve seen videos like this before from a variety of leaders within the NAR movement, but there are some very real, even petrifying things that occur during conferences led by Baker and her husband. They almost seem like seances to me because she appears to be calling forth the denizens of hell, rather than God to the gathering of people. The results of her teachings and claims can clearly be seen and none of it seems to come from God at all. How do I arrive to this conclusion? The same exact what Lindsay Davis arrives at it; by going to Scripture and determining what God says through His apostles and prophets. It becomes very clear when set alongside of and compared with Scripture that something is amiss with Heidi Baker.

One thing Lindsay points out is that neither Baker or her husband (also a “prophet”), actually teach from the Bible during these conference events. Instead, they are carried along by a stream of conscious thought that as often as possible, denigrates the Bible, God, and even the actual preaching of His Word. I’m going to include the link to Lindsay’s video for anyone interested in viewing it where you can hear him say at one point that what he does is easier than preaching.

If you opt to view the video or any portion of it, you’ll quickly note that the truth of Scripture is absent from all of her teaching. I’m assuming that my readers who have more than a passing interest in Scripture and endeavor to read/study it daily.

In place of actual solid, expositional preaching, we are privy to stories, comedic contrivances, felt expectations, and the sought after “signs and wonders,” which of course, Baker (and her husband), always attribute to the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately for Baker, there is nothing in Scripture that supports her astonishing claims or many of the things that occur while she is “teaching.” Not one thing. But there are plenty of areas of Scripture that shine the light on what happens at these conferences that are decidedly not of God, but clearly of the devil. Yet, if you consider the way the people in attendance simply accept what comes their way with absolutely no qualms, no questions, and no concern, it proves that in the mind of the average person dabbling with Christianity, discernment is completely lacking.

Lindsay breaks things down nicely. She seems to know and understand Scripture and offers righteous rebukes to these people who are guilty of leading people astray. Will they heed her? Most likely not, but they still need to be warned.

Baker’s method of teaching is to simply tell stories and often the stories are about her and what she says God has done through her. She relates how she’s been to heaven and there, God gave her keys to a special room filled with body parts. God told her apparently that she could come to that room any time she wanted and take body parts; ostensibly to fix people who were ailing in parts of their bodies.

Baker’s husband is similar to her but in some ways, worse. He is on video, acting deliriously drunk when he essentially says that doing what he does (what does he do?), is easier than preaching. He implies that he is simply doing what he sees God doing, therefore he doesn’t have to think, but just follow. We hear more stories from him and we also hear plenty of mocking as well. It’s really sad and all the while he states that he is trying to prepare people for what heaven will be like. I cannot imagine people in heaven acting like that! Give me a break. There is no control, there is no self-censoring. There is simply wild abandon to all sorts of feelings that cause weird laughter, agonizing cries, writhing, jerking and weird movements by people in attendance as well as from both Bakers.

After watching the video, it seems to me that this latest incarnation of the Charismatic Movement (seen in today’s NAR), has drifted away from all biblical truth and simply tells quaint stories. These so-called Christian leaders are wowing people with things that they claim allegedly happened to them. I doubt it seriously, but it’s possible that demons or the devil himself gave them realistic visions and dreams that they simply took to be from God Himself. This type of thing happens all the time in the secular New Age and Transcendental Movements. There’s little difference. It’s almost as though they never acknowledge what Paul seemed to know about Satan and his fallen angels, that they will do everything they can to deceive people; Christians especially! There is no reference to this from Heidi Baker or those in NAR. If/when there is, it is more of an offhand remark, as though they believe they must provide that disclaimer, but that’s as far as it goes.

During the video, Heidi Baker slips (or appears to slip) when referring not to God (singular), but to gods (plural) on several occasions. How does a true Christian do that? How can that happen, not once, but several times. It’s as if she is preparing people to move toward a polytheistic view of God, rather than the true, monotheistic view taught in Scripture. She’s laying the groundwork for heresy, much like the recently departed Rachel Held Evans. Evans was so heretical that atheists, members of the LGBTQ+ and other Leftists thought she was right on theologically. Sadly, since she has passed, she now knows the truth, though she spent much of her time denigrating God and Scripture. It’s no wonder the Left proudly embraced her and she them.

Regarding Baker’s “slip” of the tongue in referring to “gods,” not “God,” the truth here is that there is no way a truly righteous person who follows God could make that slip. God is One, in three distinct Personages, but nonetheless, He is One. When we worship God, we are worshiping the Godhead; three Persons in One. Though we cannot fully comprehend how that works, it’s not rocket science to simply accept what the Bible teaches about God.

I’m deeply saddened remembering what I saw in the video. It’s also more than creepy some of the things that happen to people after she places her hand on their heads. One young man, starts to convulse, goes to the floor and then begins writing and screaming in agony! Some believe that Heidi is simply exorcising a demon from him, but she never does that. She never calls the demon out. She simply repeats the word, “Legacy, legacy, legacy” over and over again. She seems to think nothing is wrong as the man continues literally writing in agony on the stage floor.

Folks, as time progresses and we move closer to the time of Jesus’ return, we must remember that He warned us about the false Christs, the false teachers who would lead many astray (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21). Things would be gearing up to see more and more heretics gaining prominence within Christendom. Because of the way people chase after their “felt needs” today, they are tossed about by every wind of doctrine trying to satiate their itching ears.

People today have been taught to toss critical thinking aside. We are simply supposed to “let go, and let God.” But God never says that! People are too enamored with “power” from God to live a “holy” life. I get it. I was one of them.

People within the Charismatic and NAR movements believe just like those New Age aficionados do; that you cannot live a truly holy and peaceful life unless you “experience” the power to do so. This is what they believe. Oh sure, they’ll tell you to ignore “feelings” and simply take things on “faith.” But the reality is that the average person does not want strong, biblical preaching. They don’t want to study the Bible for themselves. They want someone to provide examples of what living the Christian life means. They then want the power to do that so that “signs and wonders” will become evident in their life as well.

What does God say? In a nutshell, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (and you), if Christ is within you (Philippians 4:13). How could Paul tell the Philippians that if it was not true? In essence, Paul is saying that we have everything we need to live a life that brings glory to God and another true apostle, Peter, says the same thing.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3 ESV).

Christian, we lack nothing to live a life that brings glory to God. We don’t have to wait for “empowerment” because God within us is our empowerment. You want more power to live a holy life? Simple. Start doing what you now know to be the things that God wants you to do! Don’t wait for some “experience” to wash over you. Just live the way you know you should because God is within you enabling you to do so. You need nothing else.

Again though, if you never read His Word. If you never study it or contemplate truth found within, your roots will not go deep. When trials come, you’ll be flattened by them. We get to know God through His written Word and the enabling of the Holy Spirit who already lives within you!

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective