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7 Commitments of a Forerunner

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Bickle lays out a manifesto that communicates simply and effectively the call God has on a generation of lovers to walk in humility and boldness. The key to the content of a book like this is a grace that empowers toward action. As we approach the idea of wholeheartedness, we must keep in the fore of our minds that it is Christ that has loved us first, and he that shall carry us to the end.

Bickle claims that there is a call from God to a certain number of people called "forerunners." These forerunners are to herald the second coming of Christ. These forerunners are to keep certain disciplines which will cause the Holy Spirit of God to release in them more revelation, more prophesy, and more healing. They are also to pray for the lost until the moment when Jesus wants to bring judgement, then they switch their prayers to praying for judgement.

the problem with this scheme is that there is no special forerunner position in the Bible. Like normal for Bickle, he invents ideas out of whole cloth. he specializes in adding meaning to scripture rather than taking meaning from scripture.

some of the dangers: the idea of a forerunner is an appeal to pride. the idea that there are some elite spiritual people whom God is calling for special powers in the end times appeals to pride. Also, there is an appeal to the Law and the flesh. The idea that God will "release" more revelation and miracles to those who discipline themselves in certain ways is not only not a biblical concept, but a law-based concept.

The Church is God's institution for announcing the gospel to the world. the return of Christ is part of that message and always has been. Bickle seems less concerned about building the church than he is about building his 24-7 houses of prayer.

Discerning Christians will notice the error. Most of Bickle's followers trust in his "maturity" and experience. Beware.