This short book provides a full-frontal assault on the infiltration of demonic spirits from eastern religions into the Church via the Western charismatic and ‘prophetic’ movements (key members of which may be better known to readers as part of the so-called ‘New Apostolic Reformation’ or NAR).
The author, Andrew Strom, used to occupy a prominent position within the prophetic movement and his departure provoked strong reactions – both hostile and favourable. He remains passionately committed to revival and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but is now strongly critical of the movement he has left behind. The book itself is partly auto-biographical to serve the purpose of the narrative, which tracks ‘outpourings’ from Toronto (1994) and Brownsville, Pensacola (1995) to more recent events in Lakeland, Florida (2008-) and beyond, the book receiving an update with significant additional material in 2015.
Into this journey through recent charismatic church history are woven piercing analyses of the peculiar spiritual phenomena accompanying these events, responses from the Christian media, and the impact of ‘impartations’ on ordinary believers.
Examining the Anointing
The core of Strom’s argument is that the activities and behaviour of those caught up in the Toronto ‘Blessing’ and its various spin-offs are remarkably similar to what is witnessed in devotees of Indian Kundalini yoga (hence the book’s title). This includes the physical ‘impartation’ (i.e. by touch) of an ‘anointing’, drunken behaviour, falling over, hysterical and uncontrollable laughter, imitating animal noises, slurred speech, a sense of euphoria, sporadic jerks and even healings.
Interestingly, practitioners of Kundalini describe it as a snake spirit coiling around the base of the spine, and actually admit that can be hard to control and sometimes dangerous. These comments tally with various testimonies from Christian recipients of the ‘impartation’.
Strom remains passionately committed to revival and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but is now strongly critical of the ‘prophetic movement’ he has left behind.
Advocates of the ‘Blessing’ use a variety of arguments to defend their practices, but Strom deftly demolishes them, pointing to twisted theology and unsubstantiated claims of healings and raisings from the dead (e.g. by Todd Bentley, who later fell from grace spectacularly, though has since been ‘restored’ and ‘recommissioned’).
However, the most powerful argument he presents is the comparison between these modern events and true revivals in the past, the latter being based on powerful, Cross-centred repentance preaching. Strom also quotes from past revivals to show that when Toronto-style manifestations did occur, they were rejected by the preachers as demonic attempts to derail these genuine moves of God.
New Age Practices in the Church
Strom’s final compelling argument to question the nature and source of the NAR movement comes in the form of some shocking quotes from highly popular Christian leaders, openly endorsing New Age practices within the Church (much of the information he provides is easily confirmed from a variety of other sources). He devotes a short chapter, for instance, to exploring the spiritual activity of Bill Johnson, his family and ministry (Bethel Church, Redding, California).
Quotes Strom provides from the book The Physics of Heaven (2012, Destiny Publishers), heavily promoted by Bethel Church and to which Bill Johnson is a major contributor, should shake the confidence of even the most ardent supporter of this movement:
“[the contributors of the book] all agree that the next move of God will cause a shift in the deepest level of who we are – perhaps at the very ‘vibrational’ level that the New Age movement has been exploring. They also agree that there are previous truths hidden in the New Age that belong to us as Christians…Now we are beginning to hear more and more revelation that is in line with what New Agers have been saying all along and we are hearing more and more about Christians “taking back truths” from the New Age… (Ellyn Davis, co-author)
“I have found throughout Scripture at least 75 examples of things that the New Age has counterfeited, such as having a spirit guide, trances, meditation, auras, power objects, clairvoyance, clairaudience, and more. These actually belong to the church but have been stolen and cleverly repackaged.” (Jonathan Welton, contributor)
The Lord’s Agenda
To his credit, Strom seeks to understand and explain not just the demonic aspect of what is going on, but also the Lord’s agenda in and through it. Strom quotes several prophetic voices which he considers reliable, drawing the conclusion that God has intentionally allowed this deception to come into the Church in order to test the loyalty of Christian leaders in particular. In other words, judgment starts at the house of God.
To his credit, Strom seeks to understand and explain not just the demonic aspect of what is going on, but also the Lord’s agenda in and through it.
This is entirely in line with biblical teaching, although unfortunately Strom does not leverage several key passages in Scripture which would strengthen his argument. The author’s concluding plea is for a “changing of the guard” and for believers to cry out in repentance for genuine revival - something he is actually optimistic will happen through God’s grace.
Deep Grief
The book, only around 120 pages long, packs a punch and is written in an engaging, almost conversational style. Whilst Strom is hard-hitting, his comments are tempered by an obvious sense of deep grief for what has happened in the Church, and his commitment to being fair to those of whom he is most critical. For example, he does acknowledge Bill Johnson’s contribution to encouraging a revived interest in healing and street ministry.
Strom also makes extensive use of quite lengthy quotations, especially personal testimonies from individuals who left the prophetic movement damaged. Included are highly alarming accounts of demonic influence resulting from receiving an ‘impartation’. It is refreshing to read a book in which the experiences of ordinary Christians figure so prominently.
Kundalini Warning is highly recommended reading for believers seeking clarity on the Toronto ‘Blessing’ and its various streams. Its short chapters and easy style might also make it ideal material on which to base a series of home-group discussions, to encourage serious reflection on a subject the New Testament warns so strongly about - the issue of spiritual deception in the Church.
‘Kundalini Warning: Are False Spirits Invading the Church?’ (paperback, originally 2010, updated 2015) is available on Amazon for £7.60 (also on Kindle).
Andrew Strom is also the author of 'True and False Revival' (2008, 131pp).
