As discussed earlier, the releasing of the names of some Jane Does was strategic and is usually called, "poisoning the well." Misty Edwards is probably the most well-known female person at IHOPKC. Leaking falsely that she was listed as a victim allowed her to strongly deny it, which allowed unscrupulous men like Steven Strang use the denial to cast doubt on all of the victims, as he does here. There is no question about the validity of the charges. Bickle has admitted to them and IHOP leadership has given him the boot. The advocacy group has now stated that Misty Edwards has NEVER been listed as a victim. Strang knows this, yet still uses it here to further his wicked ends. All Jane Does were believed Steve. Misty Edwards was not one of them.
"Strang also cites other complexities in this controversy, including social media reactions and criticisms faced by Strang for advocating the possibility of Bickle's restoration. While emotions are running high on both sides of the investigation, Strang reinforces the importance of compassion, avoiding judgment and focusing on the bigger issues at hand. "There's been quite a bit on social media as a result of my last podcast, [and] I stand by the podcast. I was attacked for saying that he could be restored. But I've answered that with that Scripture from Galatians. And explained that my perspective is that ministers being restored is something admirable....as far as Mike Bickle is concerned, he will survive this, his name and reputation in some ways will always be tarnished," Strang says." - Charisma News
Steven Strang has no shame. Bickle's reputation? Is that what we are worried about here? Let me dispel that. Mike Bickle's legacy forever will be that of a false prophet, who was falsely prophesied over by two other false prophets, who also turned out to be sexual predators. While he built his false prophetic kingdom, he was seducing young sheep by telling them God said his wife was going to die. These facts are not in question Steven. These are established, and that is only ONE woman. There are about nine more. Where is your compassion for this woman whose life was upended? Where is your compassion for the other nine and Lord only knows what Mike did to them. Why do you only have compassion for the wolf? The fake investigation was just released last week and did not exonerate your buddy. Why are so focused on his restoration? You have answered nothing except the obvious fact that you cannot handle scripture correctly. Galatians 6 is not about restoring Mike Bickle back to ministry. Heck, it is not even about restoring pastors who have fallen to their walk. It is about someone who sins in the church, not the church leadership, and how to gently retore them. By the way, Bickle allowing all of these lies in his name, is not exactly agreeing to any form of restoration. There was nothing admirable about Ted Haggard deciding he was no longer a predator and because no one held him to account he did the same thing years alter but with boys in his church. Who knows how many abused bodies are left in his wake. Mark Driscoll escaping church discipline in Seattle to decide on his own to open a new church in Arizona is not "restoration." Todd Bentley agreeing to have his bovine excrement restoration overseen by people as false as he is means absolutely nothing and it led to more victims later. There would be nothing admirable about Mike Bickle returning to ministry. It would tell victims they don't matter. It would tell other predators that the women and little boys in their congregations are fair game.
'Throughout, Strang grapples with the spiritual warfare aspect of the controversy, expressing concern for the potential vulnerability of all ministries if a prominent one like IHOPKC can be tarnished. He calls for prayer, forgiveness and support for the parties involved at IHOPKC.
"Most people, even most leaders, have done something they would not want [brought] out, and the enemy would want to destroy all the different ministries. So let's forgive. Let's stand together. Let's be supportive of the leadership, they have a very great responsibility."' - Charisma News
No Steven. We can only support the truth. Not these lies. Not your lies. Not Bickle's lies. IHOPKC should not only be tarnished; it should be razed to the ground. It is not just that their leader had an affair. The entire premise of IHOP is now proven false. The entire 24/7 prayer scheme is now exposed as not having come from God at all! This all came from the devious and wicked mind of one man, supported by two other sexual predators, all lying to you. Strang continues to try and marginalize what Bickle has done. This is not comparable to most leaders having done something they wouldn't want public. Let me be clear, if ANY church leader lied about what God said to seduce a 19-year-old sheep into a four-year sexual affair on his wife, who he claimed God said would die, that person too would be disqualified from ministry. Leadership does have a great responsibility and the bible says they are held to higher standard. Strang seems to be advocating for a lower one. Leadership responsibility in the church should start with not seducing young women or fondling little boys. You know, just as a starter. Until then, let us stand as the body of Christ and hold people to proper account. Mike Bickle does not need restoration. He needs the gospel. As for Steven Strang, he needs to shut up.
