Olive & Bethel
I’ve been asked my thoughts on the current Bethel situation, so here goes!
When our theology doesn’t match up with scripture, it’s not just wrong, it can be dangerous and harmful. Now, I have friends that are either within Bethel or align with Bethel’s teaching, and I want you to know: I have a deep deep love for you. I grieve the loss of a precious child. I pray that this situation with dear little Olive affects you in a way that draws you closer to scripture and to God in a way you have never known before.
The most major part of Bethel’s teaching is that physical healing was purchased on the cross in the atonement, and since Jesus always healed people while on earth, healing is always God’s will and is something that will always happen no matter what. On Bill Johnson’s website, he is asked the question, “is it always God’s will to heal someone?” He responded with, “How can God choose not to heal someone when He already purchased their healing? ... When He bore stripes in His body He made a payment for our miracle. He already decided to heal. You can’t decide not to buy something after you’ve already bought it.” To follow that to its logical conclusion, they have to believe that little Olive will be resurrected, or else the entire system they’ve built comes crashing down. He goes on to give the caveat that if the miracle doesn’t happen, it’s not God’s fault, it’s ours.
Now listen, I believe in healing! God healed my daughter Nora when we weren’t sure if she was going to walk out of that ICU. We did as scripture said in James 5. The elders of the church came, we laid hands on her, we anointed her with oil and prayed for her, and God worked a miracle - not because we did all the steps, but simply by His grace. So, yes, I’ve seen it. But theologically, she still could’ve died, and absolutely - God would still be good. Biblical doctrine would still be in tact because we don’t place our faith in miracles - the things that are seen. We place our faith in that which is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18). We have hope, not in this life, but in what’s to come. We are to trust fully in Christ’s finished work on the cross as the forgiveness of our sins. He will then grant eternal life to all who believe, and they will ultimately be healed forever. When we are aligned with scripture on what it truly teaches, things truly fall into place. Faithful Christians get sick and die all the time - We’re just not promised otherwise. To teach that as a major doctrine inevitably leads to a situation like Bethel is in now. That poor baby hasn’t had a funeral yet because they’re convinced they’ll be able to rely on their theology of God always healing, and that she’ll rise.
Let’s not get it twisted. God can, and does heal, and scripture is filled with stories of the miraculous, but expecting them 100% as if God is a genie is simply putting Him in the wrong place. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they served a God was able to save them from the fiery furnace, and I love how they add that even if God doesn’t, that He’s no less able (Daniel 3). Thomas was rebuked by Christ for needing proof (John 20:29). Jesus called the people in His day a wicked generation for needing a sign (Matthew 16:4). God wants our faith and trust, not because He just makes everything better here on earth, but in spite of our circumstances! Suffering is real, and we are to trust the Lord in the midst of it. Not necessarily wish it away. Even Jesus asked that the cup of the crucifixion may pass from Him, yet He said, “not my will, but Yours be done.” (Matthew 26:39) May we follow in the same way.
Please. Beware of Bethel. They don’t teach truth. It’s dangerous and harmful. Their gospel is unclear at best, and a false gospel at worst. They demand that miracles must be happening around those who are saved, or else they’re not truly saved - and Paul told churches that their gospel was false for a lot less. I’m deeply sad for those who walk away from God altogether when this little girl inevitably doesn’t walk out of the grave like they need for their theology to be true. Many who have lost children are right now wondering, “If that’s what God does, why wouldn’t He do that for me?” Many are waiting for this girl to rise, wondering if it could be so. It’s a dangerous distraction from truth.
