There is a lot of misinformation about minister and writer John Crowder on the internet. Because John is very playful and entertaining in his approach, many people miss the depth of grace-based, cross-centered theology that he brings to the table.
John Crowder is NOT a universalist. But he does believe in a universal atonement - something that many mainstream Christian denominations agree upon - they often just don't think it through. John aligns primarily with the Trinitarian theological stream on this issue (C.S. Lewis, T.F. Torrance, Karl Barth, Fr. Robert Capon, Dr. C. Baxter Kruger, Dr. Steve McVey, etc.).
John believes that all men were included in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But he does not deny that faith is necessary to engage in the free gift of salvation. John does believe in the existence of hell, but not in the sense that God desires it for any man, or that He predestined folks to go there. John's views on this subject seem more Biblical and orthodox than much of the modern evangelical pop doctrines of today.
Below I have included a few videos to give you a a better grasp on his views. His video on hell is quite lengthy, but well worth the watch as he brings up some perspectives that are pretty mindblowing! Also, if your interest is sparked by these videos below, there is a five-part series on Election that is life-changing, available on John's digital download store.
It is also worth mentioning that folks who don't understand John's Trinitarian views (folks who think he is a universalist) fail to recognize that his ministry has led more people to the Lord in the nation of India by way of evangelism campaigns than probably all of his accusers combined (upward of 200,000 conversions to date - not to mention that he has planted and supports two homes for orphaned children there). Obviously the fruit has to speak for itself. Anyone who looks at this ministry objectively, with a humility to learn and be open minded will benefit greatly from what he teaches.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGrace & Truth To You & Family <3
ReplyDeleteI love JC! I think he is the saviour of all mankind :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first met you John and Darren had you and I and Cindy Bettingfield praying for people in the *prayer zone* at refuge. I didn't know you, but the Lord did, and He began to tell me of the journey you would go on. He told me that you would be an earthquake in the sense that you would shake up folks theologies, ego's and fleshly religious idols and send them crashing to the floor. He showed me that you would be writing books and that those books would bring money and the money was to go to those who needed and not to build the Crowder empire to your own advantage. I have been through some shaking myself and like Ray Steiner and Glenn Hermann tell me now, they see that after missing it for years, they consider me the real deal. Well John my friend after watching you and hearing you first hand I have to agree with you and as my spirit also agrees with your spirit and I would say with all confidence and gusto my friend that you are certainly the "real deal! Please send the book if you so desire to Stephen Holmstock 363 Flower Street Anchorage Alaska 99508 Blessings
ReplyDeleteWow!! 200,000+ How awesome is that!? Love following John Crowder on FB...friends pointed us in his direction. Thanks for sharing! Happy Happy Gospel! =D
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, thanks for clarifying.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are showing a good clarity of John's beliefs. John Said that you are giving away one of His books. I am hoping this is true because I have only gotten to read two of them. "New Mystics" and "Ecstasy of Loving God" and I am definitely wanting to get my hands on some more.
ReplyDeleteI loved this article. It put so well what I often have to explain to people about my faith and John's!
ReplyDeleteI love Johnny Boy!~
Aaaah Yes. Have been drinking from the amazing message that John preaches for nearly three years now and have had the privilege of meeting him in person. Really good guy whom I believe, truly practices what he preaches. One thing that I'd mentioned in just a few words that John inspired me to do, was to not just take this message face value based on what he says about it alone, but to dive into the scriptures and know the word of God for myself. I have a new passion for the scriptures that only grows daily as I see the grace of my Jesus in every word. :) With love & bliss, Jeremiah.
ReplyDeleteChrist centered understanding of Scriptures by John, really help me to clarify some deep theological questions I had. John is well versed in scripture and theological arguments. Plus, I saw him in Arcata and he was a blast. The mass amount of young people there getting Jesus Joy and really loving on each other, was amazing to see, and really gave my wife and I renewed hope for the church.
ReplyDeleteNice site thanks for putting it up.
ReplyDeleteThe true litmus test about John's message is the love it spawns. It's not "John" himself necessarily (although he's a great guy and a great friend). The message of the finished work of the Cross brings out in the Spirit of Man an almost involuntary "Amen!". We take this good news and we say with total confidence, "I don't have to do anything. I get to do anything". Instead of Law, Love motivates and tempers our actions.
ReplyDeleteI've recently found John on the web, been provoked to press in to God and the word. Any time someone presses you to get into the word and dig for yourself, that can't be bad...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree, John is far from being a universalist but he is a pure Paulinist if such a word exist. Doesn't take much reading or listening to his videos to see that he is a serious student of the scriptures. Hi humorous style may throw a curve ball to some but the content of his message is the proclamation of the Gospel revealed to the Apostle Paul.
ReplyDeleteHe has a beautiful faith and is pioneering in a lot of important areas: reminding us all of the simple and full grace of God. I have been very blessed by the books he has written.
ReplyDeleteIt's very frustrating to listen/watch people attack what they don't understand. I hope many will stumble upon this blog, realize that they don't have it all figured out, and be set free. John's teachings and books have definitely set me free from my extreme arminianism, and have been a huge blessing to my family of five.
ReplyDeleteFor over a year. there was something that I wished was true and believed was true, but also had doubts about since I did not hear it preached in any of the churches I attended, any Christian media I was exposed to, and from any people I met. Then one day, God shows me John Crowder and for the first time I finally get that confirmation I so desperately hoped for! That something I needed confirmed was the message of pure grace.... THE GOSPEL!! :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteJohn Crowder expresses the divine nature of Jesus in such a powerful pure way! Through his ministry, I have seen tremendous breakthrough and spiritual growth in my own life...aka I met the real Jesus and Him crucified. Love this man!
ReplyDeleteI love John Crowder's teachings. When I first ran across one of his videos I quickly turned it off. I am from a very traditional church and I just thought surely this man is a looney bird. Then I saw a post from another teacher who was apologizing because he had misjudged John. I decided to check him out again. Once I got past the strange faces and sounds he was making along the way, I realized he was teaching sound theology and HAVING FUN WITH IT! I said, I need some of that! lol. He has, along with a couple of other teachers, brought me to a whole new understanding of my Father and a whole new relationship with him. Love him. I just shake my head and laugh as he's giving his life-changing messages. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI had been praying for years to Father to show me Truth and nothing but, as I just knew something was missing from the Christianity I had experienced all my life. I used to think it must be me; I needed to have more faith or love or 'a breakthrough'. Then I discovered John's sons of thunder videos and was so relieved and excited and blessed with complete rest and freedom in the Christ I had loved all along. I have been to one of his mystical schools, and although some of the people attending were a bit off putting - that wasn't John's fault - everything he does and says points to Father. I love the fun and joy released in me through his ministry. Thanks be to God.
ReplyDeleteI went to one of John's Mystical Schools and his revelation of the Gospel of grace was life changing. Keep preaching the Word!
ReplyDeleteI have been so blessed by listening to John Crowder over the last few years. I was exposed to a lot of legalism and spiritual abuse in the church over a span of time. I was called a rebel, jezebel, you name it, all because I could not get down with some of the antics. In all of it I had a deep desire for intimacy with Christ. I longed for the Lord, but had not fully been awakened to the Finished works. I always thought I had to go through some protocol or attend some conference in order to achieve my intimacy status. That said, I saw myself as a hopeless sinner in need of my Savior. My daily mantra was "Brokenness and Repentance". About a year and a half ago I had a deeper revelation of Grace. It was like everything in me came alive. What I failed to realize is that it had always been alive. This journey of experiencing God's glory is revolutionizing my life and relationships. I am resting in total union with Christ and enjoying daily and momentary fellowship with my Father. I see myself as a beloved daughter and knowing my Papa as the most wonderful person ever. No longer a sinner, but a saint, perfect and holy. Not only has John's teachings been a catalyst in this process but he has awakened both my husband and I to the Word of God in such a way that has profoundly impacted our lives. He is an extraordinary teacher and as an intellectual by nature I appreciate his expository delivery of God's Word. Furthermore, I have been awakened to the effects of Gnosticism in the church and now things make much more sense. Many questions I had do to what I thought were paradoxes and contradictions to grace have been answered. Also, we (my husband and I) enjoy his videos and his use of *sarcasm. The sarcasm is not with intent to hurt or insult anyone, rather to jolt people out of religious mindsets. My favorite and most recent video is "Spiritual Napping". I bet there are plenty of folks watching that video who don't want to admit that they have somehow in some way experienced the hooplah that comes with *Charismania. I know he has come under some persecution by individuals who do not fully embrace this wonderful Grace Message. But I find in the funny videos John is offering love, compassion and protection over the body of Christ. This is what drew me to his videos in the first place. Oh and I forgot to mention that my hubby was someone who had a hard time reading the Bible. In my old pursuit of holiness (lol), I would get down on him for not being as "Spiritual" as I. And now that Grace has captured me and I am more awakened to the Gospel, I feel like I after being a Christian 24 years, I am just born-again. And my hubby and I are on the same page, in Union with Christ. Life is good, JOY is unspeakable and we are grateful for John Crowder teaching TRUTH!
ReplyDeleteI have learned a lot about grace and the new covenant from John and friends. Definitely a Huge blessing in my life. Now I'm living in grace with friends and foes alike. Thank you John
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJohn was one of the very first people to tell the actual gospel to me. I am very thankful for that.
DeleteSince 2009 I went gung-ho into religious works, being a part of a very intense community of end times oriented, radical prayer and fasting Christians in Kansas City. All of my problems and 'secret sins' slowly over the years seemed to increase the more I tried to wage war against my sinful flesh. It was a terrible burden and I could not shake the depression and lack of ambition that was draining from my life.
ReplyDeleteI knew their had to be a way to keep my dead man DEAD and live victoriously. I did not want to fall away. I did not want accidentally forget to die daily one day and die on that day and go to hell. So I decided long hours of prayer and fasting were not enough. I picked up some 'extra-biblical/super-ultraprophetic' teaching series and hopped into meditation. For about 8 months in 2011-12 I did so many wild and radical actions: I spent hours every day entering into my mind and, through using imagination, trying to appropriate the blood of Jesus and cleanse my depravity. I thought surely I'd be visited by Enoch or at least some creature from a heavenly dimension and receive an oracle or encounter and escalate myself into being appointed as a 'son of God'.... Is this sounding crazy enough yet? All the different formulas and methods, the books on breaking generational curses... Wow!
Finally, with no payout, I started to crash and burn. I started to feel so incredibly terrible inside I wanted to die. I was not overcoming, I was increasingly more anxious and beating myself up telling myself I needed to 'press in' harder and that I was accountable for the knowledge I had gained. Then I just CRASHED. Gave up 100%. Picked up Marijunna and alcohol to deal with the emotions. Months went by and I felt defeated. One day my best friend came to me with a book called 'Mystical Union' and said we had to read it together. I reluctantly agreed, already being weary of rumors I had heard about the author.
We read the book outloud in two days and my life was totally flipped upside down. I found myself crying multiple times while reading the book being blown away at a revelation of the love of God that had been kept from my in my striving. When I put the book down I felt so inspired to read my Bible with no agenda. I did, and it was as if my eyes were opened for the first time. Things Jesus said, things Paul said, so much of it made simple grace sense.
For the first time in my life I felt peace within myself. Anxiety left. Struggling left. And as a result, Joy came, ambition came, dreams came! Really, I realized Jesus came 2,000 years ago and dealt with the problem once and for all. I am singing the new song now and resting in Him. It's great. The end.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've met this man. He is wacky and just a little weird, but his theology is sound, his love for God and people is genuine, and his beard is, in itself, a study in North American migratory critters.
ReplyDeleteProps and blessings to this (new?) blogger who publicly supports this much needed voice and true man of God.
we had the chance to talk with john ourself.. because when we 1st watched one of his videos we didnt think it was of God..we were a fire and brimstone preachers that preached another gospel. and God brought us right to john to get dipped in to the new wine of heaven..
ReplyDeleteand life has never been the same...we thank Jesus for john crowder...
My life was completely changed when I read John's book Mystical Union. The revelation of grace and love of Jesus Christ that was in that book changed my life. Saved from years of do-it-yourself religion. So jacked up on Jesus now!
ReplyDeleteJust before I went to John's Mystic School, I checked out his "About Us" page on his website to find out more about what he believed. As I read it, everything in me started screaming "that's not right!"....However, as I examined the scriptures that I have read over for decades, I realized that I was subconsciously reading into scriptures that said "...as One died, so ALL died...." I always read that "ALL' was those that put their faith in Christ. I was raised Presbyterian, however, I never felt right that some people weren't "elected". I knew that God is good. But God created something within us that is a master of detecting double mindedness. So, I knew that something wasn't right, but I couldn't pinpoint it! Secondly, I always wondered why the KJV read ".....I live by faith OF the Son of God...." in Gal 2:20. However, all the other versions I had read said '....I live by faith IN the Son of God.....". MAJOR MAJOR DIFFERENCE FOLKS! Needless to say, so much religious garbage came off of me. I started looking at people who are "lost" much much differently. God is gooder than what we could ever imagine!!!! We'll spend eternity with Him, and we won't ever know the depths of His goodness!!! ha!!! It's His Son's, Jesus, the Christ, the Anointed One, whose faith saves us, and whose faith we live by in this flesh, yet it is Him living as us. Wow.....my mind never stops being BLOWN by this!!! I'm getting whacked just typing this...seriously...hahahahaha.... .....makes me as loose as a wet mop on a log.......ROTFL......HE DID IT ALL!!! Saying that ALL humanity died with Christ doesn't mean everybody partakes in the Diving nature. Hell is a place. It's a place that people put themselves who refuse to change their minds (repent), renew their minds, and open their eyes to what was already done on the Cross. The beautiful, precious Blood shed for us, and His body broken for us.....hahaha Just maybe.....maybe...Jesus really meant "IT IS FINISHED"....... :-)
ReplyDeleteJohn has verbalized boldly what my Spirit quietly directed. Yet, before hearing preaching like John's, it was hard to seperate the two- that is Religion and gracious Love. I had a hard time filing mixed teaching that were conflicting. But when I heard John's message it painted a clear picture for me, that brightened the Truthe and blurred out the religious deceptions. I was thanking God for saving me, but now I thank Him for keeping me, because I couldn't sustain our union with out Him working to keep my affection. What an awesome God, everserving God!!!! hahaha:-D
ReplyDeleteI have followed John Crowder for quite some time. The last four years have shown John to be a student of the word, and a solid researcher and reader. He is well read and he speaks with great humility, candor and humor, and a confidence, not in himself, but in the Lord Jesus whom He loves with great passion. My wife Lori and I took part in the Mystical School in London Ontario last year, and then joined the Happy Cosmonaut Tour 2012 to Riga, Latvia, Kharkiv, Ukraine, and St. Petersburg, Russia (July 2012). It was an amazing trip where John spoke and expounded on extravagant grace, the finished work of the cross, our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, new creation realities,as well as the many manifestations of the Spirit with healings and miracles.
ReplyDeleteJohn has boldly proclaimed truth in a way that engages you and challenges you. Even his books are written in such a way. He is a loving and gracious man, who is intoxicated in the love of God, and overwhelmed by the grace of God that has been shed abroad for the saints.
I love John and cherish all my awesome memories of being with him for two weeks. It literally changed my life forever. John is an ardent lover of God and it is contagious. Check out what he says, in video and in print. It will challenge you, and it will provoke you to greater love for God and for the Kingdom and for people.
20 years of following Jesus, $30,000 towards B.A. degree in Biblical Studies from a nationally accredited Christian university, 10 years of pastoral leadership, countless "do it yourself" programs- NOT ONCE did I hear from any pastor or professor that I had died with Christ to my sinful nature and was freed from slavery to sin. It was either "assumed" or never acknowledged that Rom. 6 was a foundational passage on that issue. Last November, I read Mystical Union and started watching John's Youtube videos- THAT's when the joy of my Salvation began to make huge impact in my life and ministry! Wanna know why 35% of pastors struggle with porn? Because they haven't believed that they're already dead to it! Thank you John for telling the truth in love.
ReplyDeleteThe Miracle Workers, Healers, and the new mystics written by John Crowder is one book i will never borrow out so easily. it remains on of the most impactful books i have read in my christian life. that book left me waiting on the lord for almost two months effortlessly, just seeking the face of God, loving God, and happy doing it. his practical approach to theological discuss balanced with an unbaised hunger for tue supernatural puts him in the class od a matured christian. i have gone through other of his writings including the ecstacy of loving God.
ReplyDeletewe may not all agree on the same thing completely but the point at which we disagree should not turn the other in an antichrist.
After years of religious DIY, it's been amazing to wake up to the fact I'm already at the finishing line, in Christ, with the rest of my life simply an unwrapping of the blessings and fullness he has already given me!
ReplyDeleteSweet videos. :)
ReplyDeleteWell...here's my little testimony...I was a terribly religious christian ...actually one of those miserable ones...and then I ran into Jesus in my spirit and fell crazily in love with Him ...but somehow I felt worse because I knew my striving didint make me happy ....and then I read the book "Mystical Union ".by John Crowder It was like my eyes were opened to the truth for the first time when I learned that I could never please the Father however much I tried by striving .Only Jesus living in me can please the Father when I rested in Him So, Ive stopped striving and have become a Spirit-drunk !I love this life.....!! I love this truth!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Ive never met John or been to one of his meetings. The first time I listened to him on youtube -the ecstasy of God...I thought to myself ...this guys is absolutely crazy! but I couldnt help getting drunk ..the more I listened to him talk about Jesus' finished work on the cross , the more drunk I got ...and Im still drinking from this beautiful truth which is really the true gospel.
Lem Macdougall
watching john crowder is bringing me into freedom and joy and bringing me outta religion. i love him.
ReplyDeleteI'm right on track then...oink, oink, oink! I just posted this on my wall a few minutes ago: You don't ask forgiveness for God's sake, you ask forgiveness for your sake. He has already forgiven you before you even done it. He is not surprised about your sin, He knows you're gonna do it, nothing was ever hidden from Him. No greater love, my darling. No greater love than the Lover laying down His life for the Beloved! And by the way, He died for the world...John 3:16 For God so loved the world, right? Not for God so loved the Christians. You are included in this love fold.
ReplyDeleteThe FINISHED WORK of THE CROSS is GRACEeously the most comfortable pillow I have ever RESTed my striving little head on! Thank You John Crowder for the pure ecstatic bliss of God's DEEP LOVE of REST that I have been able to SINK into! SHAKA LAKA BONGEE!!
ReplyDeleteI have learned so much from John's teaching. I am thankful for freedom and truth.
ReplyDelete