He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. - Titus 1: 9 (ESV)
For many years Francis Chan was a darling of the evangelical world. A preacher who would bring the uncompromised Gospel of Jesus Christ without apology. He resonated with the youth greatly who were able to see through the lies of mega-churchdom. The bible however reminds us that we must finish the race. We cannot live on being correct yesterday. The devil is always on the prowl looking for whom he may devour and it is even more important for those with a preaching platform to be careful with our doctrine.
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. - 1Timothy 4: 16 (NIV)
There is a reason why those who labor in preaching and teaching are due double honor. It is because they will judged with a higher standard. When Paul says goodbye to the elders at Ephesus he declares that he is innocent of their blood because he did not hesitate to proclaim to them the entire Gospel. The clear inference being that he would be responsible for their blood should his teaching be responsible for them being led astray. An important part of this responsibility is who we choose to stand with. Who we choose to associate with. Who we lend our own credibility to. Our key verse makes this abundantly clear. It is not enough to say that we give instruction in sound doctrine but we must also rebuke those who do not. Many choose to be silent on doctrinal matters that involve other preachers and this verse says they are wrong for doing so. What is worse however, is when we cozy up to wolves and assure our own sheep that there is nothing to fear.
When Francis Chan chose to be a speaker at the IHOP Onething Conference two years ago many correctly called him out for it. He actually admitted at the conference that many friends had warned him about Mike Bickle, the leader of IHOP. Instead of listening to his friends and advisors, he chose to speak anyway and openly declared at the conference that he "loved Mike Bickle." This despite never having met the man before that day. My sincere hope was that Chan would realize the error of this judgment and that we could all look back on it one day as a simple error; a poor decision. That was until this week when IHOP announced that Chan will again be a speaker at the Onething Conference this year. That means that Francis Chan has chosen to share the stage with one of the greatest heretics of our time twice in less than two years. That is enough for me. Please do not fall for the false argument about eating the meat and spitting out the bone. If the bone is rotten, I have no intention of eating the meat that grows on it.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. - Ephesians 5: 6-11 (ESV)
Mike Bickle is a wolf of the highest order. He claims direct angelic visitations. He claims direct audible words from God. He proclaims himself to be a prophet. He surrounds himself with other notable false prophets and embraces some of the most unsound doctrines imaginable openly and proudly. Most who survive the IHOP experience describe it as a cult. Kids are indoctrinated through eastern mysticism and the encouragement of experiential Christianity over doctrinal Christianity. They are heavily steeped in the lying signs and wonders movements and are closely associated with Bill Johnson and the heretical Bethel Church in Redding California. The recent murder of Bethany Deaton revealed only the tip of an iceberg, despite Bickle claiming he knew nothing about any of the details. Strange for a "prophet."
Bickle and IHOP believe in the immensely inappropriate Bridal Paradigm. So much so it is on their website. This has led a generation to overly sexualize Jesus and overly romanticize what it means to follow Him. The bride is the church as a collective but we now have generations of youth being taught that they are individually the bride of Christ. Responding to critics, Bickle has tried to deny that he endorses this overly physical relationship with Christ. That there is nothing "sensual" about his Bridal Paradigm, which he made up. The problem is when you examine some lyrics of his main worship leader, Misty Edwards, also featured at the upcoming Onething Conference we see the truth behind his lies:
Song 1
I am lovesick, for my Beloved
My Beloved and my Friend
Only YOU can satisfy
Try as I may to chase another Lover
I find there is, there is no other
For only YOU can satisfy
Song 2
For God is a Lover
Looking for a lover so He fashioned me
God is a Lover
Looking for a lover so
He formed my heart
God is a Lover
Looking for a lover so He fashioned me
God is a Lover
Looking for a lover...
Song 3
Come be the fire inside of me
Come be the flame upon my heart
Come be the fire inside of me
Until You and I are one
You can try to deny it but the proof is there if you are willing to see it. Lyrics like this is not "worship." It is soft core pornography. God is not looking for a lover. Besides the Bridal Paradigm, Bickle and IHOP also embrace dominionism. This false theology says that Christians are supposed to prepare the earth for the second coming of Christ. That we are to take over and influence the seven mountains of culture. These include media, religion, arts and entertainment, business, education, family, and government. That by doing so, we in fact help Jesus return. The problem of course is this is absurdly unbiblical. Bickle however proudly displays his thinking on the IHOP website:
