Bill Johnson (1) (1951–)

Most people studying healing ministry wants books that are laid out topically, have an index, and preferably a checklist of things to do.

This book fails in all of the above, but succeeds in being a very insightful discussion of charismatic Christian healing ministry. The authors share their experiences and insights in healing ministries in a series of interviews with each other and, in these conversations, one slowly begins to grasp that healing is not a technique or check list of things to show more do but a relationship with the Great Physician that is shared with those who require healing. As the conversations make clear, healing must happen on God's time and in God's way; our task is to be attentive to what God is doing or wants to do and declare it.

I will caution readers that some of the healings described in this book defy belief, and your level of trust in the testimony of the authors - and subsequently your trust in God - will determine whether you learn anything from reading it. If you have trouble believing the stories of healing and resurrection in the bible, you will have trouble reading this. But if you believe that "with God, all things are possible", this will challenge your current level of expectation of God's healing power and take it to new heights.

The book assumes that you have studied and practiced charismatic Christian healing and hence is not recommended for novices. Rather than underpin the text with scripture, the authors assume you already have that foundation and hence do not use scriptural references, which will be an issue for some prospective readers. Those critical of charismatic "revivals" like the Vineyard or the Toronto Blessing will find the book difficult and controversial - possibly heretical as well. Others will object to the use of personal experience over theological/scientific argument with references. - despite such being the usual means of sharing the gospel with non-believers. The book does pose a danger if put in the hands of people who wish to gain fame and fortune in a healing ministry and care little for the people they minister to; likewise to those who do not "test the spirits", don't seek prayerful discernment with others not intimately involved in their ministry, or who are not willing to be held accountable for their actions to a local church or denomination.

But for those who want to be astonished and encouraged in ministry by stories that reveal the desire of the Lord to heal our diseases and injuries, this is highly recommended. show less

Stumbled across this and decided to take a look at what megachurches are teaching. Not much it seems. Every answer is tepid and vague. There are big whiffs of the nasty prosperity gospel as you might expect and a general shrug for the "hard question" of what he does when the prayers don't work. Just believe anyway (and don't forget to open your pocket book).

Merged review:

Stumbled across this and decided to take a look at what megachurches are teaching. Not much it seems. Every answer is show more tepid and vague. There are big whiffs of the nasty prosperity gospel as you might expect and a general shrug for the "hard question" of what he does when the prayers don't work. Just believe anyway (and don't forget to open your pocket book). show less

If you are looking for a book to not read this year, I would suggest you start with "The Power That Changes the World" by Bill Johnson.

At first blush the thesis of the book seems legitimate, even noble. Each and every believer is called to become an agent of change in the world so that God's kingdom can be advanced.

I had my suspicions about the actual goal of the author when I started the book, not knowing anything about Bill Johnson but was determined to read it with an open mind. That show more lasted about two chapters.

With one small book (only 159 pages!) Bill seeks to undermine or demolish every orthodox truth that the church (I Tim 3:15) has spent the last 2,000 years establishing.

The antithesis? Forget about it. The fact that God's kingdom is not carnal but spiritual? You must be dreaming!

Bill Johnson is hoping to establish the kingdom of God here on this earth, and is optimistic that the first city that can be "conquered" is his own home city of Redding, CA. Bill Johnson should read Luke 17:20, "And when (Jesus) was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation." In other words, stop waiting for Redding, CA to become home base for the Kingdom of God.

Actually, I wish to correct my opening paragraph. There is a group of individuals that should read it. It should be read by all first year seminary students to give them a clear illustration of eisegesis.

I now know that Bill Johnson belongs in the same camp as his mentor, Benny Hinn. In this too they can be real, live, breathing examples of those ministers referred to in 2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." show less

Stumbled across this and decided to take a look at what megachurches are teaching. Not much it seems. Every answer is tepid and vague. There are big whiffs of the nasty prosperity gospel as you might expect and a general shrug for the "hard question" of what he does when the prayers don't work. Just believe anyway (and don't forget to open your pocket book).