The following article is from the excellent Herescope blog, and is by Pastor Larry Bruyn. It is the first in a series reviewing the new age teachings found in 2014 book “The Physics of Heaven”, to which Bill Johnson was a contributing author. Although written a couple of years ago, it is a significant insight into the doctrinal direction the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) charismatic movement is heading, and to the theosophical and Gnostic roots of its teachings.

Much of what is taught by the NAR and Word of Faith proponents, including those in this book, is claimed to come from extra-biblical revelation and mystical insight into the Scriptures. This is very thing the Apostles were warning about even before their earthly ministries were completed!

Bill Johnson is the founder and senior pastor of the charismatic cult-like Bethel Church in Redding, California. I have published articles warning of his false teaching, and have included a list of related articles below this one. The influence of the NAR movement is far reaching, and continues to spread through churches like a cancer. It is important that we educate ourselves to recognise such egregious error, and in turn warn others.

A Serial Book Review & Theological Interaction: 
Part 1

By Pastor Larry DeBruyn

Judy Franklin, Ellyn Davis and others, The Physics of Heaven: Exploring God’s Mysteries of Sound, Light, Energy, Vibrations and Quantum Physics (Crossville, TN: Double Portion Publishing, 2012): xiv + 188.

Introduction

Canst thou by searching find out God?
canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
It is as high as heaven;
what canst thou do?
deeper than hell;
what canst thou know?

Zophar to Job, Job 11:7-8, KJV

Beginning about the time of Albert Einstein (1879-1955), Quantum or theoretical physics has influenced the way people view life’s reality. Whereas “the old physics,” championed by Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727), assumed that the infinite universe worked like “a clock”—an ordered and predictable cosmos—“the new physics” observes an infinitesimal universe playing itself out like “a game”—a disordered and unpredictable chaos. So in a “blended system” where cosmos and chaos are ever interacting at reality’s macro and micro levels (“as above, so below”), it’s theorized that a butterfly flapping its wings in Africa could stimulate the formation of a hurricane in the Atlantic. This new science, or theoretical way of “observing” the universe has caused many within Christendom, even claimed evangelicals, to adapt their faith to it.[1]

From the Quantum way of looking at reality have emerged theological movements such as Process Theology and Free Will or Open Theism.[2] All these belief systems favor a theological paradigm that de-emphasizes God’s sovereign transcendence (God is holy and therefore apart from His creation.) on the one hand, while emphasizing God’s subjugated immanence (God is unholy and not apart from nature.) on the other. But now others in evangelicalism’s “big tent” are slanting their Christian belief system to a Quantum worldview in another way.

Whereas the former theological adaptations (Process Theology and Open Theism) assert God’s overall impotence as regards the overall functioning and outcome of the universe, some within the Charismatic movement are asserting that a Quantum merger is taking place between the powers heaven and the energies of earth. They claim that this merger will soon be exhibited in the happening of a second Pentecost in which Spirit filled and transformed Christians will play a “strategic role in releasing the glory of God on earth,” which means that by their exhibition of powers they will introduce earth to God’s kingdom. No longer will Christians have to pray for God’s kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10). Rather, by exercising supernatural powers bestowed at the coming planetary Pentecost, they will help God to introduce earth to heaven (“as above, so below”).

Please read the rest of the article here. You can then read the rest of the series at the Herescope blog, or wait until I post them here at The Narrowing Path.

Related Articles

The New Age Propensities of Bethel Church’s Bill Johnson

Heresy Alert: Bill Johnson, Jesus Culture and Bethel Church

Bill Johnson articles from Crosswise blog

Also relevant:

Integral Christianity: A Warning for Our Time