There is an ever-growing fascination with the supernatural realm where people desire to not only hear the voice of God, but they desire to see angels and demons. There are many who crave experiences beyond this world and to testify of such things. I was recently informed about an e-course titled Journey into the Mystical Realm that is offered through an “apostle’s” ministry by the name of Ian Carroll. I took time to peruse the $79 e-course and what was offered. The ultimate goal of the course is to “activate and train your spiritual senses”, and topics were identified with titles such as Chief Chihuahua, Dimmer Switch and Blockages, and Seeing and Understanding What You See. There were video titles pertaining to levels of meditation, prayers/mantras, and Christocentric prayer. There was an introductory video available for viewing (Why Does the Spirit Realm Matter), pending your provision of an email address. After providing my email and watching this video, I looked further into Ian’s teachings on the mystical realm. There are troubling claims and teachings, but there are greater concerns at hand regarding his beliefs and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 2022, Holly Pivec wrote an article discussing some of the teachings Ian Carroll promotes, posing the question as to why leading apostles associated with him, such as Randy Clark and Bill Johnson, are not addressing his problematic teachings and practices. These practices include grave soaking, necromancy, and a now hidden page on Carroll’s ministry website called My Anchorite, which offered paid services for intercessory prayer and prophecy. There are numerous clips of Ian describing interactions with angels, claiming to have two-and-a-half personal angels of his own. He claims to activate angels and to interact with them. For example, when he was invited on stage by John Arnott at the 20th anniversary of Catch the Fire, Ian spoke of an angelic encounter where an archangel showed him the “guardians of the presence” around that ministry.

These videos are readily available online. What is not readily available is the introductory video to his mystical realm course where he states that there is only one supernatural realm for both nonbelievers and believers. The difference is that he is tapping into it the right way. He also believes and states that Harry Potter’s incantations and spells have biblical elements to them, citing the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. He seemingly compares the use of magic potions to transform one’s appearance with their lack of recognition of Jesus, stating that Jesus had transformed His appearance before them, deducing that there is a capacity in the spirit realm to do such a thing.

In this same teaching, he also stated that though he was not a fan of talking to the dead (necromancy), he believes Jesus engaged in this practice based on the account in Matthew 17 of the mount of transfiguration. He goes on to say that the Bible supports talking with the dead and vice versa. This type of teaching and instruction is unbiblical and deceptive. He is blatantly ignoring the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, was displaying His glory before His disciples and speaking in glory with Moses and Elijah. These two men also represented the Law and the Prophets, which Jesus would fulfill as He said.

I stated before that his view of the gospel was of concern, and this along with the concerns preceding are worth noting. Our understanding of the gospel in accordance with Scripture is vital to our faith. Ian Carroll has stated that the first sin was not pride, but it was not believing that we looked like the Father. He also does not believe in penal substitution as noted in this teaching. Rather, he appeals to an encounter with an angel telling him how much the Father thinks of Ian, followed by a vision Ian alleges of what Jesus actually accomplished on the cross.

In a teaching titled Evangelism Done Differently, Carroll tells those in attendance that there is a change in telling people of their worminess and sin. He appeals to Psalm 67 and that we are to bring nations to Yahweh, causing people to look at us in our blessings and say, “I want in on that.” In his teaching on powerful sons and daughters, Carroll professes he does not believe in the gospel of salvation, calling it unbiblical. To be fair, he acknowledge the lack of an official sinner’s prayer in Scripture, and he does mention the problem with altar calls.

However, though he tells the people to definitely get saved and be washed in the blood of Christ, bow the knee and pray the prayer, he believes in the gospel of the kingdom. This is believed to be bringing heaven to earth. What he fails to recognize is that the gospel of the kingdom is the gospel of salvation. They are the same. You cannot become a citizen of heaven and receive the ministry of reconciliation to the Father unless you are born again, coming to saving faith in Christ Jesus for your sins against God. In the words of this author, “The gospel of the kingdom is ultimately a message about a king who died for his enemies so that those who believe in him would inherit the very kingdom he purchased for them.”

Mr. Carroll seems to take issue with the gospel calling people to repent of their sins against God and that the sin of Adam, the original sin, has led to death for all (Romans 5:12-14). But Christ offers the free gift of salvation by His atonement and propitiation for our sins. The fact of the matter is Scripture states that those who are in Christ are saved from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9). Before we were regenerated, we were dead in our trespasses and children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3). We were at enmity with God. But God being rich in mercy sent His Son to take upon Himself the penalty for our sin we rightly deserved. He bore our wrath, and now, the debt has been paid for those who are in Christ Jesus.

In Christ, we have been delivered from penalty of sin and the power of sin. We have been adopted into the household of God. We are free from the tyranny of Satan and slavery to sin. We are now slaves to righteousness and citizens of heaven (Romans 6:17-19, Philippians 3:20,21). Our king is Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior. The gospel does not need a change in the narrative. Sadly, this is what has happened and continues to take place. When the gospel puts human beings at the center, it is a gospel foreign to the very Scriptures which testify of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings to those who will answer the call of repentance. Not only that, but when we begin to seek out supernatural manifestations for our own benefit and satisfaction, we are led further away into mythological beliefs and virtually paganistic tendencies. This is not how we are to be.

Something truly supernatural and miraculous takes place the moment an individual comes to saving faith in Christ. A dead person is brought to life by God. A heart of stone has been replaced with a heart of flesh. Citizenship has changed. May we be in awe of God’s amazing grace and mercy toward us and the gospel of Jesus Christ according to Scripture, and may we get back to the Word of God rightly understood and glorifying God.

Listen to this in-depth episode regarding the teachings of Ian Carroll: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: A Journey into the Mystical Realm and Another Gospel on Apple Podcasts