The problem with Bethel Redding's Firestarters 'prophetic activation' class, Part 1
I recently returned from a trip to Redding, California, where I visited Bethel Church, led by popular NAR apostle Bill Johnson. Many things were taught during my visit there that troubled me. Especially troubling was the adult Sunday School class called Firestarters.
Firestarters is a 12-week course described as "the fast-track to revival culture." It was created by Kevin Dedmon, who teaches at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), and is a crash course for people who don't have the time or money to attend BSSM's full-time program. According to the Bethel website, students learn how to "burn with passion for God," "experience His passion" for them, "walk in their God-given identity and purpose," and "experience the power to heal the sick, prophesy, and live a victorious life."
The morning I attended students were taught to prophesy. Four people who had never prophesied publicly before were called to the platform to be "activated" into the prophetic gift. They were each told to select an individual in the room and prophesy to that individual: "If you don't know what to say, just start talking and you'll get there." The teacher told them not to worry that their words might just be coming from their imaginations. Why shouldn't they worry? Because "who do you think gave you your imagination?" As long as their words were "positive" and "life-giving" they were to deliver them. Apparently assured by his words, the students proceeded to prophesy.
The teaching that people should prophesy from their imaginations is appalling. Encouraging people to say whatever thoughts pop into their head is unbiblical to begin with. Scripture teaches that words are powerful and should measured carefully (Proverbs 13:3, Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 12:36-37). Even more appalling is teaching people to put those same unmeasured words in the mouth of God. This practice borders on blasphemy. God told the biblical prophet Ezekiel to announce a stern judgment to people in ancient Israel who were prophesying from their imaginations.
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord. Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The Lord declares,” though I have not spoken?
“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord. My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel 13:1-9)
At the closing of the class, the students--many who were visiting from other cities and nations--were encouraged to take the Firestarters curriculum back to their own churches. What a disturbing thought. Churches throughout the world teaching people to prophesy carelessly is indeed playing with fire. Sadly, many will be burned.
