John G Lake

In reading the life and sermons of John Lake I am struck by many uplifting and faith edifying ideas and stories but there is one characteristic of the man that stands above every other miraculous story and experience encountered. In Lake I see a beautiful representation of Jesus Christ. Lake clearly had his doubters and critics and was most definitely a radical thinker who stirred controversy in the church both in his time and indeed right up until today but then so also did Jesus and remains also to this day a divisive character. Not afraid to express his views and tackle some of the more challenging, hotly debated and often divisive topics in theology Lake voices opinions on dominion theology, Paul’ thorn in the flesh, soul absolution and most recognisably healing. Indeed his whole life was shaped by his healing ministry and his standing point was that it’s always Gods will to heal and that any doubt or questioning of this understanding shows a lack of faith in who God is and shows weakness in the life of a believer. He even goes as far as to suggest that the believer who does not fully believe in supernatural healing as a normal response to sickness is under the influence of the devil. He is very strong in his criticism of Cessationism and will be remembered as a revivalist who challenged their way of thinking and promoted the belief that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are as important today as they were for the first century church.

Lake was an admirer of John Wesley and the Methodist movement. Wesley’ call to be “ready to pray, ready to preach, and ready to die” was the calling Lake also viewed as the ultimate Spirit of Christianity. Anything other was in his words, a foreign spirit and a sissified substitute (pg 105). Battling against some common beliefs that God gave sickness and disease to some to build character or so they could glorify God in their tribulation, it was the 10th chapter of Acts that opened Lake’ eyes to who really brings sickness. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were Oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (pg 240). A further scripture reference from Luke’ gospel in chapter 12 said that a woman whom Satan hath bound reassured Lake that sickness was not from God or his will for anyone but from the devil. He argues that Jesus’ model prayer the Our father does not include an ‘if’ to thy will be done. It is always Gods will to heal and Jesus never refused to heal any who were sick or oppressed.

In his 17th chapter Lake outlines his argument for Divine Healing in a letter of reply to Dr. Elwood Bulgin and it is one of the most remarkable and compelling arguments I’ve ever read. In it he launches a stinging attack on medical science stating of Bulgin “you come to the dying, kick their hope from under them, and let them fall to the ground, and leave them to die without bringing them the true healing power in the blood and Spirit of Jesus” (pg 160). Known for his strong man theology Lake was utterly convinced that the church had believed and heralded the devils lie, that miracles were no longer for today thus robbing mankind of their rightful inheritance through the blood of Jesus (pg 241). Throughout his book he not only backs up his theology with scriptural arguments but also with countless records of healing stories from his ministry of Gods miraculous power at work. I was enthralled as I turned the pages to read of all these accounts but one in particular captivated my attention. In one of their meetings the Spirit of God fell so powerfully on the congregation as they lay prostrate they each began to pray and confess their waywardness to God. As Lake placed his hand on a mans chest he fell under the conviction of God and motioned for his wife. In her arms he confessed that he had been living in adultery and they wept and prayed together. The next day he called Lake to say that he had in fact had a diagnosis of cancer of the chest and the very area that Lake had laid his hand was where he needed healing. He removed his shirt to show that he had a visible mark for years of cancer on his chest which overnight had withered and turned a brown colour as if burned by the fire of God. It totally disappeared a few days later. What a remarkable tale of God’ healing and restoring power. In yet another story Lake describes the condition of a 6 year old boy, born with a closed head. As he grew the distortion of his head took the shape of the hull of an upside down yacht and he became paralysed. Then as a 12 year old and under Divine healing the bones in his head softened, his head was reduced to normal size, the paralysis disappeared, and he became like any regular child. Incredible! These are just two examples of many from the pages of his book which back up his preaching on healing.

When all is said and done and every angle of theology scrutinised Lake gives a warning to stay hungry for the word of God. Losing ones appetite for the Book and choosing rather to talk with people or read books about the bible than the actual bible is a sure sign that one has backslidden (pg 390). A really good reminder to those of us who value theology and study.

One final challenge I felt from Lake’ teaching was on prayer. He describes some prayers as an offence to God. Sometimes God is requiring action from his people and we turn it back on God with our prayers asking him to intervene in the situation and have his will. While these prayers might be well intentioned, Lake describes them as weak and offensive. He says “It is a humility that is always hiding behind the Lord, and is excusing its own lack of faith by throwing the responsibility over on the Lord” (pg 415). Reading his words I began to search myself to see if I was guilty of praying such prayers.

Amongst all his stories of healing and his numerous arguments to support his belief system, I was encouraged to read that Lake valued above all else getting to know the author of the book and the one who brings the healing. Lake has challenged my thinking with his compelling arguments. He has captivated my imagination with his stories of Divine healing and I’m left to draw a similar conclusion to Rev. A.C. Grier in Truth Magazine, “John Graham Lake has a ministry more like Jesus Christ than any man I know.”