Inner healing ministries that promise “deliverance” from the bondage of sins, lies we’ve told ourselves or the demonic realm have gained a foothold in a growing number of modern churches. But are they biblical? Our guest today says no.
Psychology-based programs such as SOZO, Theophostic counseling and others often use techniques that are concerning to those who know the Word of God forbids such practices and methodology.
“SOZO” is a psycho-spiritual deliverance and inner healing methodology birthed out of Bethel Church in Redding, California (think signs, wonders and gold glitter “glory clouds.”) Theophostic counseling is a guided meditation and age regression technique that helps counselees conjure up images of painful childhood memories through visions. (See “WHY THEOPHOSTIC PRAYER MINISTRY IS NEITHER PRAYER NOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRY”)
Joining us is someone who has authored books, articles and video documentaries on the worldly psychology models in the seeker church. Tom “T.A.” McMahon is president and executive director of The Berean Call ministry, editor-in-chief and contributing writer for The Berean Call newsletter, co-author of The Seduction of Christianity, America: The Sorcerer’s New Apprentice, Understand the Times , and author of Showtime for the Sheep? and Temporal Delusion .
Today’s Episode: Podcast: Download
Subscribe (RSS | iTunes) Having trouble with this podcast? Click Here for tips.
We are 100% Listener supported. Donate now!
T.A. has researched and written numerous documentaries and scripted several feature films. His writing/producing for Christian videos includes A Woman Rides the Beast, Israel, Islam & Armageddon, and Psychology and the Church.
Free downloadable books: Psychoheresy-Aware.Org
Other Articles/Research:
- Sozo: Climbing Up Another Way – The Berean Call
- “Spiritualized” Counseling
- The Upcoming Psychologized Generation
- What’s Wrong With Theophostic Counseling?
- What Is Theophostic Counseling? – The Berean Call
- What’s Wrong With Inner Healing?
- Top Ten Reasons Theophostic Prayer Ministry is Not Christian
- Theophostics: Unbiblical Teaching Wedded to Mystical Experience – By Bob DeWaay
- Theophostics – Unbiblical False Teaching – Summed Up Info
- Why Theophostic Prayer Ministry is Neither Prayer Nor Christian Ministry – By Bob DeWaay
- What is Taizé worship, and is it biblical? – GotQuestions.org
- Stay Away from Sozo Prayer! | Women of Grace
Related articles
- “Why Theophostic Prayer Ministry is Neither Prayer Nor Christian Ministry” (standupforthetruth.com)
- Where is IHOP Going? An interview with Sarah Leslie (standupforthetruth.com)
- A Testimony – How God Rescued Me From Bill Johnson’s Cult (kimolsen.wordpress.com)
- Dangerous Soaking Prayer gains momentum (standupforthetruth.com)
- Sozo: Sola Experientia (closingstages.net)
- IHOP’S Sozo the Foundations (wordofpromise.org)
There are several potential dangers inherent in visualization techniques and mystical New Age methods. Three of the most significant are a) the harm that comes from prolonged dwelling on occurrences that evoke hurt or anger, b) the danger of basing our idea of God upon an image in our mind instead of the truth of who He is as revealed in Scripture, and c) opening the doors of our minds to demonic interference.
God does want to free us from sins that arise from specific hurtful occasions in our past, but He doesn’t need visualization techniques or prolonged emphasis on the past to do so. In fact, the Bible is clear that the Christian experience involves the death of our old selves and “rising to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4), and that new life is characterized by thoughts about Him who saved us, not thoughts about the dead flesh that has been crucified with Christ. As we abide in Him (John 15:5) He transforms our hearts and heals us. But the key is focus on the Lord, not focus on ourselves.
Objective truth centers on the great doctrines of the faith and their relevance to life: the sovereignty of God, the high priestly intercession of Christ, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal glory. Understanding these great truths, centering our thoughts on them, and rehearsing them in our minds will enable us to reason from truth in all of life’s trials, and our faith will be strong and vital. Reasoning from what we feel about ourselves—rather than what we know about God—is the sure path to spiritual defeat.
The methods and practices of Sozo are of human invention and require human instruction, without reference to Scripture. In fact, Sozo is much closer to new age mysticism than to Christianity. Participants are encouraged into a mild trance state, while being “led” into a series of mental/emotional rooms or stages where, by connecting to their own deeper feelings and thoughts, they believe themselves to have a new experience with God. Whatever participants feel has happened to them, the Bible tells us it is dangerous to open ourselves up to something that has not been sanctioned by God (Ephesians 4:11–14). Preaching and teaching, evangelism, and the practice of anointing a person with oil or laying hands on him, for instance, are all shown in Scripture to be spiritually safe and useful. But Sozo prayer does not have that kind of backing. It’s like taking a drug that isn’t approved by the FDA. It might not damage you, but why take the risk?
Ed smith the founder of theophostic prayer has admitted that God never told him about theophostic prayer but the damage is done
Will Bill Johnson have the fortitude to do the same? If you look at the roots of Sozo it comes out of a cult
Jesus said Whoever puts his hand on the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom heaven
Are you going to follow Bill Johnson or Jesus make this choice today
I grew up in a church that claimed to be the only existing church of the New Testament and that what we were taught was correct in all ways. We were the fastest growing Christian brotherhood in the USA in the fifties and early sixties. ALL denominations were in error, as well as all of the non and interdenominational churches. We were the ONLY ones going to heaven. There is a danger to that type of religious speech. I now know that ALL church groups have some truth and some error. The scripture states that we should address, face to face, those whom we have offended as well those whom offend us. OR, I suppose we can simply follow Peter & Paul's example and bash each other in letters to our "followers"; never making an attempt to "reason together". Shame on US ALL. Jesus said to not cast your pearls before swine. He was talking about Believers judging Believers and throwing one another into the slop of an Un-believeing world. Every Christian is a PEARL, a jewel, to our LORD. I THINK IT TO BE DEMONIC FOR CHRISTIANS TO KEEP BASHING EACH OTHER. Exactly who of you has the LORD appointed as "Guardian" over all Christianity?
I think we've established that this practice does indeed open us up to the spiritual realm. But why is it that we have a stronger belief in the demonic realm's ability to interact with us in that place than the Holy Spirit? There's such a fear of demonic deception that we forget that God operates in the supernatural realm as well. It's as if we are scared of the supernatural realm. If we never enter the spiritual realm for fear of the enemy, how are we supposed to interact with God the Holy Spirit? Yes, I agree we must be careful and use discernment; but, if we close ourselves off completely to the supernatural, we not only cut ourselves off from the enemy, but from God as well.
I know about this healing and my wife and i have both been thru it. It is the height of new age occultism mixed with christian language. Do not be deceived…if it is not CLEARLY enunciated in scripture it is false and you risk opening a door to evil spirits. Warren B.Smith is an excellent source on this.
http://followingjesuschrist3.com/2014/09/18/false…
What do you base your thought and opinion upon, Janice. Curious. I've been doing SOZO for 3 years now and am Bethel trained after spending years as an evangelical whose boundaries were closed and not open to exploration. Jesus, God in the flesh, and Holy Spirit, He who lives within us and guides and teaches us, helps us bring people into relationship with Him. If someone is healed it's because of His goodness and grace and love — hopefully you'd be in agreement with that. Unless, of course, you believe that 'healing' and 'miracles' stopped when Jesus ascended.
New age mumbo jumbo, it's not biblical…….. Lack of understanding is what the church suffers from, utter ignorance, why? Because Christians have become so lazy they don't read scripture, they're not acting like the Bereans did, they sorely lack discernment and wisdom, instead of asking The Holy Spirit they fall for new age garbage masquerading as spirituality, all you need to do is look around! How did the Warrens of this world, the Bells, the Osteens beguiled so many? Why is the church in disarray? Why is the church rife with false teachings like this one? Why do so many put up with this? IGNORANCE,LAZINESS, HAVING TEACHERS THAT SAY WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR! The inner man is fallen, only through a new birth and the empowering of the Holy Spirit does The Lord speak to us, there are no mantras, no magic words, no magic prayers……..Jesus taught us how to pray.
Amen brother! There are so many false prophets and teachers out there. So very many wolves….
http://followingjesuschrist3.com/2014/09/18/false…
God Does speak to us all in different ways thru the inner man I harken to my Gods voice not the voice of a stranger. I follow peace not the confusion you are talking sir from a lack of understanding be careful
We must be CAREFUL. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. God took me through this about 18 years ago. I like to call it directive prayer with God's Light shinning into the dark places. (Theophostic word is Greek, and means, God's Light). June 19th, 1997 was a precious day for the Holy Spirit to work in my life. It is ALL Holy Spirit led, and the counselor is only a facilitator. I was healed from a lie of not feeling loved from age 5, and it was from an event that did not seem that important, but the lie was real and children can not discern truth. After many years we build up walls and the misbeliefs taken on as a child become destructive in our lives if left un challenged by God. In scriptures; James Chapter 5 tells us to bear our burdens with one another and the prayers of a feverent (intercessor) person avails much. This is what Theophostic is, prayers being lifted up to God and asking God to reveal hidden mis-beliefs in our minds. No psycho-mumbo jumbo here, only GOD setting the captives FREE. So be very careful when you judge something you don't understand. Scriptures says, "My ways or not your ways, My thoughts not your thoughts, My understanding not your understanding. A year later God showed me without a counselor other hidden things I had been believing, and I did not need a counselor now since the Wall Came Tumbling Down!!!! Oh, during that first healing in June 1997, Jesus spoke to me and said, "I AM all you need and that is enough." Lines up with Scripture that Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient."
Thank you Jesus, Holy Spirit, Father God for healing me of hidden pain, wounds and lies. I now walk in total freedom!!!
I asked: What does SOZO offer that the Holy Bible doesn’t already have???
It seems they are a new denomination except they are infiltrating churches with secular “tools.” Read II Kings chapter 17 for the long term effects of their tainting salvation and deminishing the glory of God. I rebuke their use of the Greek word Sozo. Do not mistake their name SOZO with ours. They do not offer salvation, only God does. The Bible is complete and already has a perfect example to follow.