MARK DRISCOLL: DOES THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT EXIST?

The recent histrionics enacted by Mark Driscoll at the Stronger Men's Conference at Assemblies of God NAR James River "Church" are, in my view, a publicity stunt staged to propel him into the spotlight. Driscoll's attention-seeking has had the desired effect, and many people are talking about his altercation with "pastor" John Lindell online. I will not expand on the altercation here except to say that yet another NAR "church" has been exposed as worldly and totally out of step with biblical Christianity. Driscoll's book "New Days, Old Demons" has recently been released and he has also released a number of YouTube videos on the subject of the so-called "Jezebel spirit". 

Driscoll formed Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2016 two years after suddenly departing Mars Hill Church, leaving a trail of accusations and spiritual damage in his wake. He has now ditched Calvinism in support of the NAR and has labelled the five points of Calvinism "garbage".1 While Driscoll's assessment of Calvinism is not wrong, his teaching on the "Jezebel spirit" can equally be described as garbage. More accurately it is dangerous garbage!

The Jezebel Spirit

In an X post with a link to a sermon, Driscoll asks, “What is the Jezebel spirit, and how is she destroying the American church? Today we pull back the veil on the demonic."2 

Driscoll: “The Jezebel spirit is not a synonym for ‘tramp,’ and it's got nothing to do with racism. The Jezebel spirit is a demon that has worked through men and women for centuries, from Queen Jezebel in 1st Kings to Jesus's rebuke of the church in Thyatira in Revelation 2,” he wrote on X. "This demon seeks to control and dominate, most often through seductive women but oftentimes through overbearing, domineering men. I literally wrote the book on this. I want to give it away absolutely free. I get nothing out of it, I just want men and women to learn more about the spiritual war behind the war we see."3

As far as I am aware, biblical scholars have never entertained the possibility of a "Jezebel spirit". Once again, Mickey Mouse NAR pastors seem to be the only ones eisegeting Revelation 2:20. This interpretation is rife within charismatic NAR "demon slayer" circles e.g. Kathryn Krick, Bill Johnson, Isaiah Salvidar, Vlad Savchuck etc. The "Jezebel spirit" is often associated with manipulation, control, and division. Anyone daring to question church leadership or exercising critical thinking is at risk of being slurred with this label. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). Blame-shifting often coincides with gaslighting and other forms of abuse. Psychology Today: "A blame-shift is meant to absolve the abuser of responsibility but it also effectively makes the target feel guilty or shamed."4 This is precisely what is taking place within the NAR and is not a new stratagem of the enemy. (1 Corinthians 2:11). The prophet Elijah was labelled "troubler of Israel". (1 Kings 18:17). NAR leaders infiltrate the true church with idolatry, manipulation and control, claiming to be apostles and prophets and generally causing havoc. Paradoxically NAR leaders themselves are the very epitome of Jezebel!

The scriptures do not describe a "spirit of Jezebel" Rather Jezebel is a byword and a symbol of all the wicked things she represents. Jezebel was a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians whose family was devoted to the worship of Baal and Astarte. Israel's King Ahab, married Jezebel despite the Lord's explicit command not to intermarry with the Canaanites. (Deuteronomy 7:1-4).

However, Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him. (1 Kings 16:30-33).

Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4,13); she established 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah (1 Kings 18:19); she threatened the life of Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-2); she contrived the murder of Naboth and illicitly obtained his vineyard for Ahab (1 Kings 21:1-16); she incited Ahab (1 Kings 21:25); she is described as a whore and a sorcerer (2 Kings 9:22); she is idolatrous, sexually immoral and unrepentant. (Revelation 2:20-21).

Jezebel is alluded to in the Book of Revelation:

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:20-21).

Revelation 2:20 does not identify "that woman Jezebel" as a spirit. Evil spirits are specifically identified. e.g. the spirit of Antichrist.(1 John 4:3); the spirit of error (τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πλάνης. (1 John 4:6); deceitful spirits (πνεύμασι πλάνοις) and teachings of demons. i.e. evil spirits animating false teachers.5 (1 Timothy 4:1); a spirit of divination (πνεῦμα Πύθωνα) a Python. (Acts 16:16); impure spirits/demonic spirits. (Revelation 16:13-14); various instances of unclean spirits. ( Mark 1:27); deaf and mute spirit. (Mark 9:25). 

ATS Bible Dictionary: "Her name has become a proverb, and is given by John, probably as a descriptive epithet, to a certain female at Thyatira in his day holding a like bad preeminence in station and profligacy, in malice and in ruin, Luke 20:18 Revelation 2:10"." 6

Easton's Bible Dictionary: "Her name afterwards came to be used as the synonym for a wicked woman (Revelation 2:20)."6 

Driscoll also refers to the "spirit of Ahab" and the "spirit of Elijah". Elijah is juxtaposed with Jezebel in the text of 1 and 2 Kings. There is no evidence of a "spirit of Elijah" in the scriptures. Malachi 4:5-6 warns about judgement and the appearance of Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Jesus identified John the Baptist as Elijah. (Matthew 11:13-14). The appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus at His transfiguration is a significant event in the New Testament. (Matthew 17:1-3). It is further speculated that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12. Believers have been given the Holy Spirit and have no business calling upon any other spirit. 

 

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17).

1. I know this happened ages ago but Driscoll thinks Calvinism is "garbage" : r/exReformed (reddit.com)
2. Pastor John Lindell Apologizes for Inviting Driscoll & Sword-Swallower to Stronger Men's Conference (julieroys.com)
3. Mark Driscoll slams Jezebel spirit at Stronger Men's Conference | Church & Ministries News (christianpost.com)
4. 5 Kinds of Blame-Shifting, and Why They Work | Psychology Today
5. 1 Timothy 4 Vincent's Word Studies (biblehub.com)
6. Topical Bible: Jezebel (biblehub.com)

Further Links

Former Mars Hill Elders: Mark Driscoll Is Still ‘Unrepent...... | News & Reporting | Christianity Today

5 Things Christians Need to Know about the Mark Driscoll Scandals - Christian News Headlines (christianheadlines.com)

board_of_elders_on_driscoll_investigation.pdf

MARK DRISCOLL EXPELLED FROM THE ACTS 29 NETWORK

Mark Driscoll has been expelled from the Acts 29 Network that he founded! Below is the letter to Mark by those on the board of the Acts 29 Network:

 

Mark,

As the Board of Acts 29, we are grateful to God for the leadership, courage, and generosity of both you and Mars Hill in not only founding the network but also sustaining it through the transition to this board three years ago. The very act of giving away your authority over the network was one of humility and grace, and for that we are grateful.

Over the past three years, our board and network have been the recipients of countless shots and dozens of fires directly linked to you and what we consider ungodly and disqualifying behavior. We have both publicly and internally tried to support and give you the benefit of the doubt, even when multiple pastors in our network confirmed this behavior.

In response, we leaned on the Mars Hill Board of Advisors & Accountability to take the lead in dealing with this matter. But we no longer believe the BoAA is able to execute the plan of reconciliation originally laid out. Ample time has been given for repentance, change, and restitution, with none forthcoming. We now have to take another course of action.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, we are now asking you to please step down from ministry for an extended time and seek help. Consequently, we also feel that we have no alternative but to remove you and Mars Hill from membership in Acts 29. Because you are the founder of Acts 29 and a member, we are naturally associated with you and feel that this association discredits the network and is a major distraction.

We tell you this out of love for you, Mars Hill, Acts 29, and most significantly, the cause of Christ, and we would be irresponsible and deeply unloving not to do so in a clear and unequivocal manner. Again, we want you to know that we are eternally thankful for what you as a man and Mars Hill as a church have meant to our network. However, that cannot dissuade us from action. Instead, it gives added significance and importance to our decision. We hope and pray that you see this decision as the action of men who love you deeply and want you to walk in the light—for your good, the good of your family, and the honor of your Savior.

Shortly after sending this, we will be informing the members of Acts 29, your Board of Advisors and Accountability, and your elders, as well as putting out a public statement on the Acts 29 website. It brings us no joy to move forward in this direction, and we trust that the Lord will be at work in all of this.

In sorrow and with hope,

The Board of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network

Matt Chandler
Darrin Patrick
Steve Timmis
Eric Mason
John Bryson
Bruce Wesley
Leonce Crump

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html