On many occasions I have directed your attention to excellent articles written by Andrew Wilson, pastor in Eastbourne, U.K. The one he posted yesterday (6-8-16) may be the best yet. Like Wilson, I am often asked the question: “Sam, what do you think of Bill Johnson and Bethel?” I’ve been tempted to write an answer, but now I don’t need to. The article is too long to post here, so I urge you to follow the link to Andrew’s blog and read it in its entirety. Be sure that you click on each link within the article where Andrew will take you to other things he has written on this and related topics. The blog where you’ll find the article is www.thinktheology.co.uk/blog. Below is the opening paragraph. Continue reading . . . 

On many occasions I have directed your attention to excellent articles written by Andrew Wilson, pastor in Eastbourne, U.K. The one he posted yesterday (6-8-16) may be the best yet. Like Wilson, I am often asked the question: “Sam, what do you think of Bill Johnson and Bethel?” I’ve been tempted to write an answer, but now I don’t need to. The article is too long to post here, so I urge you to follow the link to Andrew’s blog and read it in its entirety. Be sure that you click on each link within the article where Andrew will take you to other things he has written on this and related topics. The blog where you’ll find the article is www.thinktheology.co.uk/blog. Below is the opening paragraph.

“What do you think of Bethel?” I don’t keep count, but I would imagine that this is the question I am asked these days more than any other. Some people ask seeking reassurance: they know that people have theological reservations about Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton and company, and are looking for me, presumably with my theological hat on, to sign off on them. Others ask seeking critique: they are concerned about Bethel’s emphases, methodology, ministry philosophy or influence, and are looking for me, presumably with my theological hat on, to explain that I share their concerns and think you shouldn’t touch them with a bargepole (in case they are American, in which case bargepoles are replaced by ten-foot poles. They should really have more waterways in the US.) Occasionally, people are seeking outright condemnation: this is heretical, a cult, or whatever. Bethel, it seems, is actually a fairly suitable name for the church—on encountering it, people either say, “Surely God was in this place and I didn’t know it!” (Gen 28:16), or “Do not seek Bethel, for it shall come to nothing!” (Amos 5:5). The question I am often being asked, it seems, is the one Old Testament worshippers were asking: Bethel is either the most powerful expression of God’s presence on earth, or an idolatrous shrine. Which is it? And my answer, as may already be clear, is: neither.