In a cultural landscape teeming with ideological disarray, even the dialogue surrounding Christian interaction with the LGBTQ movement has been pulled apart by polarizing narratives. A particularly concerning viewpoint comes to light through the Acts 29 Network, which we wrote about last week, as represented by Justin Anderson and Mike Sullivan. Their perspective, under the guise of compassion and inclusivity, distorts biblical truths to a dangerous extent that it could mislead even the elect, if that were possible. This compromising theological view is not just problematic—it could lead souls astray, particularly when dealing with issues of sin and repentance.
Now, onto the topic at hand. Mike Sullivan, the lead pastor of Emmaus City Church—an Acts 29 Church linked to Matt Chandler—penned an article that flirts dangerously close to heretical views. In an unsurprising display of doctrinal confusion, Sullivan entertains a spiritually dangerous narrative. He focuses on a homosexual atheist activist David Bennett’s supposed conversion story, specifically recounting David’s experience with a psychic medium. The claim? That God can use such methods to point people to Jesus.
Sullivan writes, “I remembered David’s story of meeting with a psychic, someone we wouldn’t usually think God would use to point others to Jesus (a descriptive meeting, not prescriptive nonetheless).” Further, David recounts his tarot card-reading experience, stating, “You are a child of the light, destined to be with the greatest mediator in the spiritual realms, Jesus Christ. He has chosen you!”
In no uncertain terms, Sullivan’s claims are in clear opposition to the authoritative teachings of the Bible. They not only dance along the lines of heresy but completely cross them.
Scripture makes it abundantly clear that occult practices are an abomination to the Lord. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns, “There shall not be found among you anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.” God could not be clearer. Engaging with mediums is a direct violation of His holy law.
Sullivan mentions “grace” but appears to misunderstand its nature. The grace of God doesn’t authenticate false spiritual practices but delivers us from them. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” There is no room here for a grace that accommodates or encourages psychic readings or tarot card consultations.
The narrative Sullivan promotes is not only unbiblical but perilously deceptive. It fosters a relativistic spirituality that corrupts the uncompromising nature of the Gospel. Jesus Himself says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” There is no other mediator, no other path, and certainly, no guidance from psychic mediums.
It’s egregious for a pastor to disseminate such a convoluted perspective. Peter warns about false prophets and teachers who introduce “destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). Sullivan, in endorsing this story, has unfortunately positioned himself dangerously close to such a category.
There’s an unyielding distinction between the authority of the Bible and the muddied waters of occult practices. Any claim suggesting God’s sanctioning of such mediums is not just mistaken—it is a direct affront to the Word of God. We cannot afford to compromise the integrity of our faith by tolerating or promoting teachings that stand against the unequivocal truths of Scripture. The entire Acts 29 Network has repeatedly shown itself to one of those who raise their own opinions up against the knowledge of God, and the only appropriate response is to destroy their arguments (2 Corinthians 10:5-6).
