The Church, Scandals, and Righteous Anger

If we haven’t met yet, my name is Darren Stott. I pastor a church called Eden in the greater Seattle area. I want to address something heavy today—not to create more harm, speculation, or stir up pessimism against the church, but to help people navigate ministry scandals honestly, deeply, and righteously. Because if we’re not careful, disillusionment can lead to disengagement, and disengagement from the body of Christ can be dangerous.

Recently, I came across a video of Dana White, the CEO of UFC, addressing one of his fighters, Bryce Mitchell, who had made some ignorant and outright ridiculous comments about Adolf Hitler. Dana White didn’t mince words. He didn’t sugarcoat or excuse it. He simply said, “Yeah, this is my guy. And what he said was stupid.”

Contrast that with what we see in the church when ministers fall into scandal. Where are the pastors, the leaders, standing up and saying, This is one of ours, and what they did was wrong?

Instead, we see defensiveness, silence, and sometimes even enabling. And in that vacuum of accountability, the internet—specifically, independent YouTube creators and podcasters—has stepped in.

The Rise of New Media and the Church's Response

We live in a new media era. The traditional gatekeepers of information—major news networks, denominational structures, and official church statements—no longer control the narrative. Instead, independent content creators, some of whom have never stepped foot inside a seminary, are exposing issues within the church with a level of depth and detail that institutional bodies have either ignored or suppressed.

And while some see this as a negative development—an untrained army of young YouTubers monetizing scandal—the truth is more complex. Many of these people have been deeply wounded by the church. Their anger is not baseless. It is a response to real pain, real betrayal, real hypocrisy. And for those of us within the church, the question isn’t, How do we shut them down? The question is, How do we respond righteously?

The IHOP Scandal and the Pain of Betrayal

The recent investigative report on IHOP (International House of Prayer) and its founder, Mike Bickle, has brought to light a staggering number of allegations—over 200 testimonies of abuse, grooming, and manipulation. If you have a heart, even a fraction of these allegations should break it. If you have any sense of righteousness, it should stir a deep, holy anger.

The church is meant to be a place of refuge, a sanctuary of safety. Yet, when institutions that claim to center on Christ instead become places of secrecy, coercion, and harm, the world takes note. And rightly so.

We saw this with the Catholic Church decades ago. Now, the microscope is on our own charismatic, apostolic, and revivalist circles. And while the enemy seeks to weaponize these exposures to discredit the faith entirely, we cannot allow that to deter us from seeking truth.

Because here’s the reality: Jesus himself got angry. He flipped tables in the temple because the sacred was being exploited. That was righteous anger. And what we see today—the exposure of deep-seated corruption—is something that should stir a similar reaction in us.

Processing the Truth Without Losing Faith

Many people right now are walking through a crisis of faith. Some are turning away from the church entirely. Others are throwing out anything supernatural, prophetic, or charismatic, as though spiritual gifts themselves are the problem rather than the individuals who abused them.

I get it. I’ve been there. I was hurt in the church, and I let my brokenness turn into bitterness. I swore I would never go back. But let me tell you what I learned: Forgiveness is not about feeling ready. It is an act of faith. It is choosing to release judgment, even when you don’t feel like it. And when you do, it breaks the power of bitterness over your life.

So if you’ve been hurt by the church, by a pastor, by a leader—say it out loud: I forgive you. Not because they deserve it, but because you deserve freedom. Say it in faith, and trust that the feelings will follow.

God is Revealing to Heal

There’s a lot of talk right now about “exposure.” But I don’t believe God is merely exposing to shame. I believe He is revealing to heal. The devil accuses to destroy. God reveals to restore. And while some leaders will fall and never return to ministry, others will repent, be refined, and be entrusted again—not because of their power, but because of their humility.

A new breed of leaders is rising. And you will know them not by their charisma, but by their character. Not by their authority, but by the way they steward it. They will be those who walk with a limp—because they have wrestled with God, and they have come out different.

The Lord showed me that these will be leaders who do not build platforms for their own names but create altars for His presence. They will not chase influence, but they will steward intimacy with God. These are not men and women who will be blinded by their own ambition, but those who have been broken in secret places and have learned what it means to be fully dependent on the Lord. They have walked through betrayal, failure, loss, and hardship—not as a badge of honor, but as a refining fire that has burned away pride and left behind only what is pure.

They will not manipulate, coerce, or deceive to gain a following. Instead, their authority will be evident in their integrity. You will know them not because they declare themselves as apostles and prophets, but because their lives bear the weight of true apostolic and prophetic responsibility. Their leadership will be marked by service, their power will be tempered by humility, and their influence will not come from the stage but from the depths of their prayer closets.

These are the ones who walk with a limp, not because they are weak, but because they have contended with God and have surrendered. They do not lean on their own strength but on the One who has carried them through the fire. They are leaders who have been crushed but not destroyed, who have been humbled but not silenced, and who have found their greatest joy in obedience rather than in recognition.

The Church is Not Finished

The enemy would love for us to believe that the church is beyond redemption. That it is not a safe place. That we cannot trust anyone. But let me tell you: The church is not done.

Yes, it is being refined. Yes, there is judgment in the house of God. But don’t let cynicism win. Don’t let bitterness steal what is holy. This is not the time to disengage. It is the time to lean in, to intercede, to be a priesthood that stands in the gap for the broken.

So guard your faith. Don’t throw out Jesus because of Judas. Don’t abandon the gospel because of grifters. Stay engaged. Process righteously. Fight for truth. And above all, walk in love—even when that love is fierce, unyielding, and unwilling to tolerate evil in the house of God.

Grace and peace be unto you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is it a sin for a Christian to use crystals?

The Enchanted Church Part 4

Christians and Crystals

Christians are using crystals as objects of power, believed to be created by God, to promote divine health and ward off demonic influence.

After some recent discoveries, I've realized that I've led a more sheltered life than I had thought. I've come to understand that some Christians are now integrating crystals into their spiritual practices, citing their supposed inherent supernatural properties. I have also learned of several "Christian" ministries encouraging Christians to keep an open mind and embrace crystals as objects with highly energetic patterns that God created them to have. The most common argument these pseudo-ministers use is, "When sick, you can reach out for your pharma, or you can grab a crystal that God created." One Christian I found on a Christian Crystal chat forum wrote: 

"So I asked God for reassurance that those rows of crystals are okay on my altar, and as I looked each one up and placed it down randomly, it made the shape of a heart."

The claims are that God created crystals to possess energies and frequencies and that some crystals even have the power to repel demonic spirits. Additionally, I've learned that many modern-day believers in the supernatural camp are unfamiliar with the term "new age" and do not object to incorporating occultic elements into their faith.

"Houston, we have a problem!"

Bothered by these discoveries, I discussed my concerns with a pastor I greatly respect in my area. He informed me that my observations are not uncommon and that our culture has changed. He cited a theologian and sociologist who claimed that American culture has shifted from secular humanism, which denies the supernatural and God, to a new era of acceptance of the supernatural and magic, thanks in part to influencers like Tim Ferris and Joe Rogan, who promote the use of hallucinogenics, as well as the media's integration of witchcraft and occult practices. This cultural shift has brought about a new era called "enchanted." Unfortunately, many believers within the greater church have found themselves bewitched by the unique philosophies of this modern era, resulting in, as Paul refers to in Ephesians 4:14, "infants being tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming."

Millennial Crystal Revival

Crystal evangelists like Kylie Jenner, Katy Perry, and Miranda Kerr have recently made magical crystals a trendy part of pop culture. According to a report by Springtide Research Institute titled "State of Religion & Young People 2022," 44% of young people between the ages of 13 and 25 engage with crystals as a spiritual practice, with 21% doing so on a weekly basis. This underscores the reality that young people are finding alternative sources of religion and spirituality in this new enchanted era.

While crystals are currently trending and experiencing a resurgence in popularity, they are not a new obsession and have been believed to possess mystical powers for centuries. However, it is important to consider whether it is acceptable for a Christian to engage in crystals to harness energy for healing and power.

The Crystal Cathedral

Crystals are mentioned in the Bible. God himself created these beautiful, sparkly objects, and they are mentioned in Revelations 21:11, 18-20. This passage describes the New Eden, the New Jerusalem, coming out of the sky and upon the Earth, with portions of this Heavenly city constructed out of crystal.

The Bible also mentions crystals of all kinds, including rubies, sapphires, and topaz, and you will remember the Levitical high priest's breastplate was adorned with twelve engraved stones representing each tribe of Israel. The gems included carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, turquoise, lapis lazuli, emerald, jacinth, agate, amethyst, topaz, onyx, and jasper. The settings were made of 24-karat gold!!

Additionally, the Bible provides descriptions of crystal-clear stuff, such as the river flowing from the heavenly throne and "a sea of glass, clear as crystal" before the throne. However, the Bible does not attribute any mystical properties to crystals, nor does it suggest in any way that they should be used to access divine powers.

Trust "the science"

What about the science of crystal energy? 

The multimillion-dollar crystal industry is based on the claim that crystals possess intrinsic healing abilities and can act as healing wands to channel energy. Those who practice crystal healing derive this idea mainly from the "feelings" they experience when crystals are used on them, which they describe as a vibrating, energetic pulse emanating from the crystal outward. 

Despite an entire pseudo-science being built around the mechanisms of crystal healing, with programs, classes, and books being sold to promote crystal healing, there is no scientific evidence to support the claims. 

One New Age book describes the process as follows: 

"Two things occur when we bring the crystal into our electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic frequencies carried by the stone will vibrate with related frequencies in our energy field through the physical law of resonance, creating a third larger vibration field. The nervous system is attuned to these shifts in energy and transmits this information to the brain. Here the frequencies stimulate biochemical shifts that affect the physical body and shift brain function."

However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

A study by psychologist Dr. Christopher French and colleagues from the University of London aimed to determine the legitimacy of crystal healing. The study involved eighty participants who were asked to complete a questionnaire indicating their openness to the supernatural. They were then asked to meditate with a crystal in their hand, with some of the crystals being real and others being fake. Before meditating, participants were asked to observe any tingling or energy sensations in their hands while holding the crystal.

After meditating, participants answered another questionnaire in which they recorded any effects they felt from holding the crystal. The results showed that those with genuine crystals did not experience more significant effects than those with fake ones. There was no difference in the reactions generated by the two types of crystal, suggesting that what participants felt in their hand was either the general atomic energy of the object or was generated entirely in the subject's mind.

Furthermore, the study found that those who were more open to supernatural phenomena experienced more sensations in their hand, as did those primed and encouraged more by the person conducting the study. These findings indicate that the effects of crystal healing may be primarily psychological rather than physical. 

Dr. French, who conducted the study on crystal healing, noted that many people claimed to feel odd sensations like tingling, heat, and vibrations while holding crystals, but only if they had been told in advance that this might happen. He concluded that the effects reported resulted from the power of suggestion rather than the power of the crystals.

According to Dr. French, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of crystal healing beyond the placebo effect. He believes the placebo effect is the appropriate standard to judge any treatment. Whether or not one considers crystal healing, or any other form of complementary and alternative medicine, to be entirely ineffective depends on their attitude towards the placebo effect.

What does the Bible say about engaging crystals for their divine benefits?

The use of crystals for divination, including healing, protection from negative energy and spirits, and connecting with the divine for guidance and wisdom, goes against the biblical teachings of divination. 

In Deuteronomy 18:9-13, believers are warned not to imitate the detestable ways of the nations, including the practice of divination or sorcery, interpreting omens, engaging in witchcraft, casting spells, being a medium or spiritist, or consulting the dead. It actually says that anyone who engages in these practices is detestable to the Lord.

Despite this, millennial witches are encouraging "crystal divination" as a vehicle for divine guidance. They explain that divination allows communication with and advice from the divine, and crystals have played a significant role in many divinatory techniques throughout history.

Here is a modern-day millennial witch talking about the benefits of crystal divination:

“Humans have been practicing the art of divination for thousands of years. Practicing the art of divination allows you to communicate with and to receive guidance from the divine. Be it from your guides, angels, animal archetypes, ancestors, or some other higher power, these insights often actually come from within the self. Divinatory tools are just means by which you are able to access this inner knowledge.

From the Ancient Egyptians, to the Elizabethans, and even modern psychics, crystals have played an enormous role in many divinatory techniques. There are several divination methods in which you can utilize the power of crystals for guidance. Crystallomancy, Lithomancy, and Dowsing are just a few of these powerful divinatory methods.”

Crystals and Demonic Possession

In straightforward terms, using crystals for spiritual purposes can lead to possession by evil spirits. Even the Catholic Church condemns the spiritual use of crystals, as they are often used in divination, which opens the door to demonic possession. A deliverance testimony from Catholicexorcism.org recounts a woman who became sick after being given crystals by a well-intentioned Christian friend. After bringing the crystals to her priest and having them blessed and disposed of, the woman immediately felt better.

Many believe they are doing good by practicing occult activities such as using healing crystals or engaging in white magic. However, these practices do not involve God, and may invoke and open the soul to evil powers. The Catholic Church warns against these practices, as they can lead to demonic possession, regardless of one's intentions.

Many crystals available on the market are pre-cursed, as sellers often perform rituals before selling. This practice, known as "charging" the stones, is commonly used in the crystal industry.

Can’t Christians Redeem Crystals?

No.

As believers, our role is not to redeem occultic practices or objects. Instead, our part is to redeem people by leading them to Jesus.

Don’t waste your time trying to cleanse a rock or an Ouija board. 

Trust me; God has no interest in redeeming practices or objects associated with the occult. 

While it may be tempting to think we can cleanse crystals with the blood of Jesus, break off curses, and charge them up with the Holy Spirit, this is not a biblical practice. Sure, handkerchiefs were used in Acts 19:12 as a point of contact for healing, but they were not associated with divination or occult practices.

Darren, you are just being religious and controlling.

Some people have accused me of being religious and controlling due to my stance against integrating the occult into Christianity. However, I want to clarify that I have never been accused of being controlling by anyone who knows me, and I find that accusation amusing. At Seattle Revival Center, where I pastor, we have a standard that our pastors and ministry team do not incorporate new age or occultic objects into their personal lives. We believe that spiritual mixture is toxic and that idolatry opens the door to devils.

I have witnessed numerous miraculous healings, including cancers disappearing, people coming out of comas, blind eyes opening, deaf ears opening, and cripples getting out of wheelchairs. None of these healings required the use of a crystal.

If you are finding relief for your psyche or physical condition through the use of precious stones, I urge you to examine the root cause of your condition. If you surrender your stones to Jesus, I believe He will show up and do for you what no rock ever could. 

For those who may have opened themselves up to demonic oppression or possession, our ministry team is available to help. We encourage you to close the door to the enemy, get rid of anything you have looked to for salvation that is not Jesus, and call on His name. If we can assist you in any way, please get in touch with us at the email below.

When faced with spiritual decisions, turn to your Bible or seek guidance from a trusted pastor rather than taking advice from celebrities like Kylie Jenner. Join Team Jesus, and let Him be your source of strength and healing.

ABOUT DARREN STOTT

With over fourteen years of pastoral experience, Darren Stott is committed to fulfilling the great commission by sharing the supernatural gospel of Jesus Christ through casting out demons, healing the sick, and igniting joy in the body of Christ. To join this series, visit https://www.darrenstott.com/enchantedchurch. For any questions, comments, or ministry requests, please contact Darren's team at Darren@supernaturalistministries.com.

Should Christians Kids Play with Dungeons and Dragons?

The Enchanted Church Part 3

THINGS JUST GOT STRANGER

A commentary on the comeback of Dungeons and Dragons and its popularity with Christian kids

"Serving a deity is a significant part of D&D, and all player characters should have a patron god."

D&D’s Deities & Demigods

"Whether or not the character actively professes some deity, he or she will havean alignment and serve one or more deities of this general alignment indirectly and unbeknownst to the character."

D&D Dungeon Masters Guide

I'm sorry!! I can't get into the backstory on this one. I'm still processing through my thoughts and feelings on the matter. If you read my last post on Harry Potter being required reading in Christian schools, you can probably guess what inspired this study on the game Dungeons & Dragons.

Before we start, is it just me, or does it feel like we have returned to the 1980s? There are too many similarities between today and a time in history past when Christian parents forbid their children from playing with Ouija boards and watching The Smurfs on TV. 

On the one hand, there is an unprecedented openness to the supernatural within the Christian Church. For example, these days, even the conservative Baptists are singing Bethel songs, and thanks to The Asberry Portal, revival is trending. Revival is most certainly what our country needs more now than ever.

On the other hand, we are learning of openness, embracing, and integration of the New Age and the occult into our mainstream culture and even the Church. This shift is new to our culture, and a societal tide is changing. America is leaning away from modernism's atheistic worldview and moving towards an enchanted or magical worldview. Modern people readily accept what the ancients have known, and more is happening than what meets the eye. The supernatural is quickly becoming perfectly normal and acceptable. People are more readily accepting that something does not have to be seen for it to be engaged. We can thank Wi-Fi for that.

In this study, we focus on The Enchanted Church. Enchanted is a term that means to be under a spell or bewitched. If our culture is underneath a demonic spell, this should be a cause of concern for those who have been given the authority and power to break it. All this reminded me of the Apostle Paul when he asked the Galatians an interesting question, "Who has bewitched you?" The hour in which we live begs us to ask the same question of the American Church. 

Things Just Got Stranger

Stranger Things, the hit show produced by Netflix, has captivated millions of viewers worldwide with its captivating storylines and supernatural elements. The show introduces young people to various supernatural concepts, entities, and realms, such as the "Upside Down," a parallel universe home to dark creatures and dangerous secrets - otherwise known as Hell. But Stranger Things is more than just a show; it's a supernatural school lush in demonology, theology, and supernatural ideas, some of which are even true.

Interestingly, something worth noting, as a result of the show, young people across the country were introduced to a game called Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). The impact of Stranger Things on the sales and popularity of D&D was significant.

In the show, the main characters are depicted playing D&D, and the game is presented as a fun and exciting activity that brings them together. This portrayal helped destigmatize D&D and introduced the game to a new generation of viewers who may not have been familiar with it before.

Following the success of Stranger Things, there was a noticeable increase in sales of D&D products. Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, which produces D&D, reported a 20% increase in sales in the fourth quarter of 2019, partly attributed to the popularity of Stranger Things.

The impact of the show on D&D, however, was not limited to sales alone. It also helped to increase the game's cultural relevance, leading to more mainstream media coverage and an overall boost in public perception of the game. Stranger Things played a significant role in bringing D&D back into the cultural conversation and increasing its popularity.

My Family Member, the Dungeon Master

Many argue that D&D is a fun fantasy game that brings friends together, but in our family, Dungeons & Dragons opened a gateway to the "Upside Down." As a child, I had heard about one of our family members who were traditionally a bit of a nerd. His unpopularity at school led to endless teasing and bullying. This changed, however, when he found his place of belonging amongst friends who were getting together to play D&D. With some creativity, an eye for detail, and a lot of gameplay, he began to ascend as a high-ranking Dungeon Master. He was no longer an outcast; he was now a legend. The crazy part was he was never much of an artist, but now he could draw incredibly complex and detailed characters. At times it was as if his hand was moving on its own. Then, he noticed something was different in his bedroom at night. It was as if he wasn't alone. He began to discover spiritual beings in his bedroom, visitors. When he started seeing them, he realized that they were the character that he thought he had created through the process of being a Dungeon Master (D&D storyteller, character creator, situation framer).

Had he created these characters from his imagination, or were these pre-existing demons tricking him into thinking they were his idea? After a while, these visits at night became more haunting, to the point that this cast of hellish monsters no longer listened to him when he commanded them to leave. Demons were full-on harassing him. This was when his parents called my parents, begging them to please come and pray for their son. My parents led him to the Lord and explained that he must take all his drawings, notes, and the game and burn them. When he tried to burn everything, he threw a match into the fireplace, but before the match could ignite the game, it stopped and hit reverse, flying out of the fire and burning him in the face.

The History of D&D

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TSR). The game quickly gained popularity and has since become one of the most influential and widely recognized games in the world.

According to William Schnoebelen, a former Satanist who consulted for D&D, many resources were developed with the assistance of occultists and Satanists. Schnoebelen provides testimony regarding the type of information that the creators of D&D sought:

I was a witch high priest (Alexandrian tradition) from 1973-84. During some of that period (1976-80), I have also involved in hardcore Satanism. We studied, practiced, and trained over 175 people in the Craft. Our "covendom" was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just a short drive away from the world headquarters of TSR, the company which makes Dungeons and Dragons in Lake Geneva, WI. In the late 1970s, some game writers came to my wife and me as prominent "sorcerers" in the community. They wanted to make sure the rituals were authentic. For the most part, they are.

After converting to Christianity, Schnoebelen started cautioning parents about the paranormal risks associated with D&D. In the course of his warning, and he posed a thought-provoking question: 

"If someone unknowingly performs a legitimate ritual that summons a demon or places a curse on someone while they think they're only playing a game, could the ritual still have an effect? I believe we all know the answer to that. If you playfully shoot your friend in the head with a gun that you believe is unloaded, but there's a bullet in the chamber, is your friend any less dead because it was just a game?"

D&D began reusing existing mythological creatures and beings into its Monster Manual, but co-creators Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson initially did not want to tamper with Biblical characters or beings. For example, angels were off-limits, but Gygax was okay with including real demons as long as they were seen as villains. However, players interested in the occult took the game in an unexpected direction. Players began making the game more and more realistic by researching medieval spellbooks, and game supplements like Authentic Thaumaturgy and The Infernax of Spells, Necromancy, and Black Magic were created.

Schnoebelen continues in his warning:

Much of the game contains overtones of illicit sex and sexual violence. For example, the cover of one D&D supplement, Eldrich Wizardry, shows a naked woman reclining on a satanic altar. This tragic scene is compelling because it is really what is done in genuine satanic groups all over the nation. It is extremely sado-masochistic because the fate of such a woman is to be either raped, gang-raped, tortured, or sacrificed to a demon god. This kind of imagery can be very provocative and seductive to adolescent males or even adults.Additionally, male characters in the game often try to seduce female characters; and references abound to things like venereal disease and satyriasis (a male condition of permanent sexual arousal). 

Gatekeepers

Our family resides in a securely equipped home with a roof, doors, windows, and a garage door. The latter requires an opener for access, and only Andrea and I possess the keys to the other entryways. Therefore, to enter our abode, one must go through us. In essence, we are the guardians of our home. However, if any of our children invite a friend over, and we approve of their presence, that friend is granted access to our home. This permission hinges on our trust in that particular friend. In cases where trust has yet to be established, we would offer increased supervision while the friend is visiting. 

Parents, pastors, faculty, and board members are all examples of gatekeepers. As such, they hold responsibility for the friends in their care. As gatekeepers, you are responsible for the friends in your home.

When individuals in positions of authority claim that Dungeons & Dragons is merely a game and permit the promotion of D&D clubs, it is akin to a pastor granting a Demogorgon access to the pulpit on a Sunday.

The issue with many contemporary Western Christians is that they embrace Christian theology but are essentially secular. They operate as their own lords while professing Jesus as their savior. They fail to recognize that they inhabit a world inhabited by angels, demons, paranormal rulers, cosmic authorities, the supernatural powers of this dark realm, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. It is not merely a question of God versus the devil. As Paul notes in Ephesians 6:12, we live in a realm subject to various gods' influence.

Thus, the first commandment does not condemn drinking, smoking, or premarital sex. Its essence lies in the prohibition against having any other gods before the one true God. However, we have simplified and diluted this concept in America, claiming that this text applies to us through false gods such as food or entertainment. This interpretation is incorrect as the context of the first commandment refers to actual malevolent gods. In the book of Exodus, Yahweh declares to the Israelites that they belong exclusively to Him and must not share their allegiance with other deities.

The Allowance of "Christian" Fantasy such as Tolkien and Lewis

This is a big question that has been coming up regarding the allowance of Christian fantasy, such as the timeless works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. For a thorough explanation of this topic, I will refer you to an article - The Theology of Fantasy in Lewis and Tolkien by Colin Duriez - that studies the context of paganism in the works of Tolkien and Lewis through a Christian perspective. This outstanding article builds a gospel-centered understanding and appreciation for their work. 

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?

Psalm 24:3-4 says, "Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god."

As we examine the impact of counterfeit supernatural beliefs on American culture and the Church, we must acknowledge the challenge of young people being unable to differentiate between what is authentic and what is not. Rather than inducing fear-based panic and encouraging demon hunting, our goal should be to ascend the mountain of God and gain a deeper understanding of Him and His ways. Both overreacting and interrogating our children out of fear, as well as turning a blind eye to the works of darkness, are equally irresponsible. Just as experts can distinguish counterfeit money by studying real currency, we must become knowledgeable about the workings of the Holy Spirit to recognize what is genuine and what is not.

Dear Parents, the Church's role is not limited to telling your kids Bible stories and instilling conservative values. It is essential for the Church to propagate the gospel of the Kingdom supernaturally. If your Church and home lack demonstrations of the power of God, the seductive influence of Satan's supernatural power may become unnecessarily appealing to your children.

It's important for children to witness healing, deliverances, salvations, and water baptisms, as well as seeing us striving for the resurrection of the dead. There is no justification for a Church or a Christian to be without power.

In conclusion, to safeguard the Church against magical counterfeits, we must witness the full power of the true gospel restored within it. Without a genuine display of God's power, the Church is vulnerable to false teachings and doctrines. It's time for us to reclaim the authority and power that is rightfully ours as believers and demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel to a lost and broken world. Only then can we expect to see a true revival that will have a lasting impact on generations to come.

Should Christians Read Harry Potter?

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The Enchanted Church Part 2

When Harry Met The Bride of Christ

A commentary on the integration of the Harry Potter franchise into the enchanted Church

Recently, I became agitated and triggered, which is unusual for me. However, it has become more common since I turned forty (and, more recently, forty-one). One of the students in our church who attends a highly respected private university (our church has supported over the years) reported to us that the school integrated magic practices into its curriculum, and the school's president not only knew but also defended these practices. 

Feeling heated, I picked up the phone and called a ministry peer within our region. He is passionate, educated, and more level-headed than I am, so I hoped he could talk some sense into me before I did something foolish, such as broadcasting a Facebook Live video in which I take a verbal flame thrower to the God-fearing higher education system that appears to be integrating golden calves into its establishment.

To my surprise, my pastor friend, who is kind of a big deal (and just about as busy as I am), picked up the phone!! We had a forty-five-minute conversation about the state of the Church and the shift within our country. My friend pointed me to the work of theologian Peter Kreeft which inspired for me to do this blog series.

Kreeft argues that the influence of hallucinogens on today's modern-day influencers, thinkers, and CEO has loosened the grip of atheism on our culture. Almost everyone now admits that there are unseen realms, parallel dimensions, and ways to access these realms. Kreeft argues that America's modernist culture has now swung in the opposite direction, and that we are becoming, drumroll, please...

Enchanted.

I looked up the definition of enchanted, and the definition startled me. I discovered that the word means "to be placed under a spell or bewitched."  

Indeed, America is being hypnotized, and this may include the Christian Church. 

I was reminded of Paul's inquiry in Galatians 3:1, "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified."

Paul's question was to the Church of Galatia, which had embraced the heresy of Gnosticism, dualism, supernatural formulas, and extrabiblical works to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

In this series, we will study this wave of enchantment crashing down upon our shores and, more specifically, its influence within the Christian Church. This series aims not to bash the means of enchantment (i.e., Harry Potter) or the church itself but rather to turn on the lights and awaken us out of this hex.

Harry & Jesus

In my recent discovery, I learned that our local Christian University was teaching within its literature department that J.K. Rowling (the creator of the Harry Potter religion) is a sort of modern-day C.S. Lewis, that the Harry Potter series can be fairly compared to the Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter is a typology of Jesus Christ. 

I am sure that none of this is shocking; the comparison between Harry and Jesus is so apparent. From their sacrificial and messianic qualities, their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of humanity, their cute round glasses, and like Jesus, Harry was willing to lay down his life to defeat Voldemort and save the world.  

Now, let's press pause and address this. For those believers that seriously think that a modern-day witch can point to Jesus Christ, Exodus 22:18 would say otherwise. This text tells us what God told his people to do with witches, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." There is no grace in the scriptures for integrating divination and celebrating witchcraft within the Church. None.

Harry's Hex

Since its debut in 1997, the Harry Potter franchise has "enchanted" the world with its magical world-building and bewitching characters. Over the years, the franchise has grown into a cultural phenomenon, with an enormous fan base and a significant impact on popular culture. Let's look at some numbers that illustrate just how big of a deal Harry Potter really is.

First and foremost, there are book sales. According to the latest estimates, the Harry Potter series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling book series ever. The final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, sold an unbelievable 11 million copies in its first 24 hours on sale, setting a Guinness World Record.

Of course, the books are only part of the story. The Harry Potter films have also been an enormous success, grossing over $7 billion worldwide. That makes the franchise the third highest-grossing film series of all time, behind only the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars.

And it's not just books and movies. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a themed area at Universal Orlando Resort, has been a massive hit since it opened in 2010, drawing millions of visitors yearly. A second location, Universal Studios Japan, opened in 2014.

Then there's the fan culture. The Harry Potter fan community is vast and enthusiastic, with countless fan sites, fan fiction, fan art, and fan conventions. The fan site MuggleNet, for example, boasts over 200 million page views per year.

But what about this story of a boy wizard has made it such a force to be reckoned with in popular culture?

The franchise has undeniably contributed to a broader cultural shift towards enchantment. The vivid descriptions of magical creatures, spells, and potions have catalyzed a mystical revival in America and the world. Indeed, humanity has come under a spell, hexing even the Church itself.

The Gospel According to Harry Potter

Langdon Palmer, the pastor of Leverington Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, begins his sermons with clips from Harry Potter movies and incorporates ideas from the books into his sermons to convey concepts from the Bible. 

"If something really deeply moves me, then I want to pay attention to that...there were a number of scenes in Harry Potter that struck me profoundly, so I'm just like, 'wow, that's just like this thing in the Bible." – Pastor Palmer

He compares his use of Harry Potter to how Jesus used parables. Despite initially being skeptical of the series when it first came out in 1997, Palmer changed his mind when his own children wanted to read it. He could have meaningful conversations with them about important topics such as right and wrong, bullying, and truthfulness.

Since beginning his Harry Potter sermon series in mid-March, Palmer has seen a 20 percent increase in weekly attendance at his church, composed of mostly millennials who grew up with the series.

Ancient Magic Reimagined

So, is it a good idea to integrate Harry Potter into our churches, schools, and homes? Is Harry Potter no different than a Magic Wardrobe and a talking lion? 

Whereas Rawling has stated that she never used witchcraft or the occult as an influence for her series, a British library's exhibit, Harry Potter: A History of Magic, peeled back the veil of secrecy to reveal the real history of magic and alchemy that J.K. Rowling drew upon to create her wizarding world. 

The 16th-century Ripley scroll, in the Alchemy room, contains secrets to the Elixir of Life.

The exhibit revealed how Rawling used ancient texts to craft potions and spells that are taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and displays some of the original books that Rowling used for inspiration, including a worn second-hand copy of Culpeper's Herbal, a 17th-century book on plant cultivation, that she used for herbology and naming her characters.

The exhibition also showcased Rowling's handwritten notes and ink drawings, revealing her creative process as she sketched out the geography of Hogwarts' grounds and the characters that inhabit them. Alongside ornate staffs, broomsticks, and dragon bones, visitors could see a large cast iron cauldron, which Rowling notes has had a magical association for centuries and appears in hundreds of years' worth of pictures of famous historical witches.

Gateway to the Occult

In 2001 Pastor and Author Richard Abanes wrote a book about the connection between ancient occult practices and Harry Potter. In his book 'Harry Potter & the Bible,' he provided actual page numbers and book titles where counter-biblical and harmful actions or statements are located in the Harry Potter books. Additionally, Abanes compares acceptable, "excellent Christian fantasy books" such as those by C.S. Lewis & J.R. Tolkien and contrasts them against the practices in the Harry Potter books and shows how they are full-blown occult. 

Whereas many books have been written to show how you can integrate Harry Potter into your Christianity and find the subtle gospel narratives within the series, this book serves as a tool for parents that are interested (and concerned) about their children's spiritual and supernatural health. 

"We will have millions and millions of kids getting their first look at the occult" at what otherwise may seem to be a "very endearing, fun and stimulating movie," Abanes said. "At the very least, they will be desensitized to its dangers. I think it will do a lot of harm, from a Christian perceptive."

America, Who Has Bewitched You?

There is an enchantment agenda at work that I do not consider to be benign. Supernaturally illiterate educators and pastors are playing with loaded guns in front of congregations and classrooms. I am deeply concerned about those who call themselves Christian educators and ministers and yet do not believe in the power of God, nor do they challenge people to follow Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.

Dear pastors, educators, overseers, establishment board members, and denominational leaders. If you are majoring in eloquent speech but no supernatural demonstration, you are in error and are vulnerable to being unwittingly used by the enemy.

Two Revivals

America is amid two revivals. A revival of darkness and a revival of light. We living in the midst of Romans 5:20, "…but where sin increases, grace overflows much more."

The 2023 Asbury revival was a Christian revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. The revival was sparked by students spontaneously staying in Hughes Auditorium following a regularly scheduled chapel service on February 8, 2023.

The Harry Potter franchise is not just a harmless work of fiction. Instead, it was a part of a more considerable coordinated revival of darkness aimed at conditioning American culture and the Church to accept and integrate magic theology and mixture into our beliefs and practices.

If enabled by a powerless Church, the franchise's promotion of witchcraft and sorcery practices condemned in the Bible will ultimately lead people away from Jesus into the seduction of spirituality outside of Jesus. As such, we must be vigilant and discerning about what we allow into our minds and culture, guard against the insidious influence of the occult, and engage with the kingdom's dimensions through the blood of Jesus.

This is not about Harry Potter but about a battle between two realms; two contrasting Kingdoms; two opposing powers; and an oblivious Church. 

I look forward to diving in deeper with you as we study the influence of darkness upon our theology, methodology, and ecclesiology, and I look forward to the testimonies of all that will occur as we combat this assignment of darkness with a revival of supernatural and holy light.

WHY I VOTED FOR TRUMP AND CULP

The following is a response that I gave to the Seattle Times reporter recently when interviewed for the front page story on leaders in our region and what they are seeing and feeling in this current election.

So, I am a Christian, and I pastor a church.

This means that I am pro-God, pro-religious-gatherings, pro-Israel, and pro-life. These are values of mine. So when it comes to Trump's platform, he doesn't come across to be against God, against religious gatherings, against Israel, and against the unborn. He just doesn't come across to be that way.

The fact that churches were shut down this year should have been a choice that we were allowed to make, and it wasn't. Despite horrific pandemics in history, this was unprecedented. Local governors got to act like adults, and pastors were treated like children. 

We were not allowed to decide for ourselves.

Do you blame Inslee?

The Church never really prospers when everything is going well. It is during times of great adversity, calamity, and hopelessness that the Church prospers. The Church is the Church for this very reason.

Just look at the role of Providence Hospital in Seattle and our State statue (Mother Joseph of the Sisters of Providence). In a time of great hardship and primitive conditions, the first hospital in Seattle was birthed by the Church!

Our (Seattle Revival Center) hands were tied because of the State Government. They were telling us exactly what we could do or not do. They were like, "Hey, you can do Zoom meetings." My response is like, "Alright, that's very liberating of you."

I get particular freedoms in the hospital because I am clergy. I get specials freedoms that sometimes even the family doesn't get. Hospitals recognize the power of prayer and spiritual counsel. I was just in a hospital room last week that was considered to be dangerous. The man had a contagious infection. 

I had to gown up. It was dangerous, but the hospital recognized the importance of the visit, I was treated like an adult, and I assessed the risk for myself. I went in. He needed me. He was in (what doctors were telling him were) his final days of fighting cancer. I went in and prayed with him.

This is when religion is needed. 

Faith is most important when (in the natural) you have no hope. When people are wrestling with depression, when lives are at stake, the Church is needed. We saw record suicide numbers in our state, and Governor Inslee said, "You are not allowed to go to church."

We saw record suicide numbers in our state, and Governor Inslee said, "You are not allowed to go to church."

This should have been our choice as pastors and leaders. This was the first time in the State of Washington it was illegal to go to church, and I think that was a tragedy.

Governor Inslee made some massive calls. He said Churches need to shut down just for a short time. That we just need to, "flatten the curve." 

He said that if we all work together, we will flatten the curve if we all shut down and then we can reopen.  

We thought, sure, we can shut down for two weeks. We said, "We can cooperate. We don't want to be reckless, unwise, and unlawful." So we submitted to our governing authorities. 

President Trump got on TV and said that churches were essential, but Governor Inslee disagreed. We flattened the curve right away, but then Inslee changed his mind and informed us that we could not reopen until no one was dying. He moved the goal post. I was like, "No church until people stop dying?"

Inslee said (with his actions) that the Church was not essential, but that (packed out) marijuana stores and (jammed packed) Costcos are.

Inslee said (with his actions) that the Church was not essential, but that (packed out) marijuana stores and (jammed packed) Costcos are.

Then, after twelve weeks, Inslee said that we could now host outdoor meetings up to fifty people. So we started hosting multiple meetings, back to back, in a tent, for another four weeks. 

While we were in that tent, many Sundays were windy, cold, and pouring rain. We were standing outside, freezing. Families outside, shivering and singing to Jesus with masks on. All because of what Inslee calls "science" and "the facts."

We have a building that can seat a thousand people. We could have practiced social distancing, but instead, we have people getting colds, manifesting the same symptoms as covid (runny nose and cough) all in the pursuit of health. We were outside in the cold, underneath a tent, worshiping, when we could have been inside our building. 

There was no choice in this. One man said, "This is what's good for you. You will do it this way, or you are breaking the law."

So, we played by the rules, but there was an absurdity it in. There was this feeling that we were being controlled, and we fought to maintain the right attitude despite the government overreach. 

The public safety measures did not make us feel any safer.

There was all this health concern from Governor Inslee, but no health advice. No vitamin regiments. No tips. Just control. 

I am voting for Trump and Culp because I truly believe that they assume that responsible adults can make wise choices for themselves.

HASN'T TRUMP DIVIDED OUR COUNTRY?

The following is a response that I gave to the Seattle Times reporter recently when interviewed for the front page story on leaders in our region and what they are seeing and feeling in this current election.

HOW ARE YOU OKAY WITH VOTING FOR TRUMP WHEN HE HAS DIVIDED OUR COUNTRY?

We are not victims of division.

Division is a choice.

If we are going to allow our hearts to be divided, and if we are going to make our neighbor our enemy, that is our choice.

We do not get to be victims of Trump.

We do not get to say, “I am a victim of Trump, therefore I am entitled to be bitter and vindictive.”

We do not get to take all of our problems and blame them on Trump. That is not what responsible people do.

This is actually one of my roles in being a pastor. I come alongside of people who are in dire situations. Like, I do funerals. I am with families who are completely heart broken. I am with people who have been victims of radical injustice, and in that place, it is my role to walk with people through their pain and tragedy, and to walk with people in such a way, where I can say, “Look, you are a victim of this tragedy, but please do not take on a victim mentality, because if you do, it will anchor you to the past, and you will never be able to engage your future.”

“…please do not take on a victim mentality, because if you do, it will anchor you to the past, and you will never be able to engage your future.”

I am concerned about the roar that I hear in our country right now. You have a lot of people that are taking on a victim mentality, and I am not just talking about Democrats, I am also talking about Republicans.

Politics has become a religion. It’s the new religion. A huge cult. On both sides.  You go far enough to the left, or far enough to the right and you will feel the same spirit, the same frequency that is in both camps. It’s the same temperature, the same hostility, and the same irrationality.

When people are attached to that frequency it affects their creativity, it affects their relationships, it affects their marriages, and they are no longer capable of creating great things on the Earth.

To the point that we allow ourselves to get triggered by all these narratives, to that degree, we feel that we are no longer responsible to shape the culture, to do good, to be creative, and engaging. Because now we can’t, our hands are tied, we are victims. For how can we do anything good when Trump is in office? How can there be any sense of justice or reconciliation when HE is in there?!

And so, I believe it is a radically dangerous world view, when you feel like your influence is limited because of whoever is leading the country.

Funko POPS! and Ivan Roman

I love how this podcast turned out.

Ivan and I sit down to discuss everything from soaking, lucid dreaming, revival past (present and future), the difficulty of stewarding a dual calling, what it means to be a spiritual father, and Funko POPS!

It’s raw, vulnerable, and inspiring.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Connect with Ivan on social: @IvanRoman07

Web: www.ivanroman.org