When Psychopaths Go To Church
A Conversation About Wolves
The Books That Got Me Thinking About Psychopathy
I like to always be reading something. Usually I go back and forth between various types of books, alternating between novels and nonfiction. Most recently, I have been reading about psychopathy.
First, I read a book by Robert D. Hare, PhD. called Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. Afterward, I moved on to another work by Hare, coauthored with Paul Babiack, PhD. called Snakes In Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work.
Dr. Hare developed the psychopathy checklist, a tool used to help diagnose individuals with the spectrum disorder that would label them a psychopath. Working as a forensic psychologist, Hare saw the need to rightly diagnose the criminal psychopath as integral to protecting society from individuals who often smooth talk their way past parole boards back onto the streets only to commit crimes against people again and again.
Hare also saw the need to share his insight about psychopathy with the common man, as we all have the potential to work alongside, date, or hire someone with psychopathic traits and behaviors.
Below is a list of some of the key traits and behaviors of a psychopath. Elaboration on each item can be found here on Dr Hare’s website, or in his book Without Conscience.
Emotional/Interpersonal:
- Glib and superficial
- Egocentric and grandiose
- Lack of remorse or guilt
- Lack of empathy
- Deceitful and manipulative
- Shallow emotions
Social Deviance:
- Impulsive
- Poor behavior controls
- Need for excitement
- Lack of responsibility
- Early behavior problems
- Adult antisocial behavior
Many people can exhibit psychopathic tendencies, but a true psychopath will have no remorse for their actions & they have a snowball’s chance in Hades of ever reforming in any meaningful way.
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
I am a Christian and I see the world through my religion. I think if God wants to do a work and reform a psychopath, that is something He will accomplish. The redeeming work of Christ is powerful and the Holy Spirit can melt any heart of stone.
That being said, I think it is easier to go down the road of discussing the renewal of a sinner than it is to have a conversation about what it looks like when psychopaths come to church. I think it’s an important discussion to be had, and I think it is a conversation that needs to be had in light of my generation’s absence from church.
I am a Millennial and I have many times heard it said that my generation is absent from church because we lack faith, we don’t value community, we can’t handle authority, we want to be entertained… on and on the speculations have been put forward.
Here’s a point of view that may not be expressed or explored often: Millennials grew up seeing our parents and grandparents swindled by TBN charlatans, asking them to send in their last dollars in order to get out of debt and receive a breakthrough from God. Then, we got swindled too, recruited to schools of supernatural ministry and told that we could learn to prophesy, heal people, and experience the presence of God on new levels in exchange for a few years of our lives and the cost of a college tuition. (Bonus: That time and money would be going toward an unaccredited institution, so it would not count on job applications or future school applications for diddly squat!)
Am I saying these swindlers within Christendom are psychopaths? Not necessarily. However, psychopaths do love a good con job, and the church is a great place to start if you’re looking for a group of people who will quickly give you their trust.
“Affinity groups- religious, political, or social groups in which all members share common values or belief- are particularly attractive to psychopaths because of the collective trust that members of these groups have in one another. […] Religious belief groups, open to new members joining their group from all lifestyles, readily assume that those who join them hold similar beliefs and values, and tend to focus on professed beliefs and values and to forgive past transgressions.”
Babiak, P., & Hare, R. (2006). Snakes In Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work. Collins. (pg. 90).
It is well established that affinity fraud is a favorite of the psychopath. Not only that, but affinity groups are great for insulating oneself from scrutiny. The insulation sounds like:
“He’s sort of creepy, but he loves Jesus.”
“He is a little weird, but he loves Jesus.”
“She’s got a temper, but she loves Jesus.”
“She’s a bit of a gossip, but she loves Jesus.”
Considering IHOPKC & the Bickle Scandal
While I was reading these books on psychopathy, there was no lack of public drama within the church for me to reflect on. Specifically, the unfolding revelations regarding Mike Bickle, founder of the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC). Detailed by numerous outlets were decades of manipulation, infidelity, coercion, and spiritual abuse.
Decades. Does a Christian continue in sin and live a double life for decades? Is sanctification not part of every Christian’s life? Is the Holy Spirit’s conviction not part of every Christian’s life?
Mike Bickle is not a Christian. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing that has finally been publicly found out. He is a wolf who was given cover by others, because he performed in public as if he was a godly and specially anointed man.
Bickle was able to quiet the voices of victims with his imitation of a deeply remorseful David-like prophet, even as he sinned against them time and time again. He was able to draw crowds of seekers to himself as a guru of spirituality, part of a prophetic history that was ushering in the end times and unfolding before their very eyes. He was able to discredit the rightful discernment of others by manipulating people with good names and large platforms into endorsing him.
Is Bickle a psychopath? I’m no psychologist. I won’t presume to diagnose him, but I have seen and heard enough to know that he is at the least, a con man.
A confidence man presents themselves, their stories, and their business (or ministry) dealings as on the up and up. They are cool and collected as they deceive. They see their victims as learning a lesson or having it coming when they are harmed by the con at hand.
To the average person, and even to a very capable or cynical person, the confidence man presents himself with no tells. It is time that reveals the con man’s true identity, as investments are lost, lies unravel, and victims come forward out of what feels like a hypnotic state of manipulation.
I don’t want to paint the picture that all churches are filled to the brim with psychopaths. It’s estimated that only 1 percent of the population would qualify as clinically psychopathic.
I do want to open up the discussion. I do want to remind Christians that the Scriptures themselves warn us to be on the look out for false teachers, false prophets, false christs, and those who generally see our faith as a means for their gain.
I also think it’s important to reiterate that someone’s perceived giftedness should never become a pass for bad fruit.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Galatians 5:13–26, NIV
Below is a resource from The Messed Up Church, a ministry of Steven Kozar. I have always found his material helpful in unpacking what is going on within the church today- the messed up church. He talks about Mike Bickle in light of the recent news regarding his double life and he rightly points out how other Christian leaders who have good reputations gave this wolf cover. If you weren’t aware of the story, this should catch you up a bit.
I also highly recommend the Heaven Bent podcast, where you can find a series of episodes exploring the story.
Additionally, if you’re interested in psychology & the profile of a psychopath, I would recommend any of Dr. Hare’s writings.
This blog will probably grow old, as the IHOPKC scandal fades and other scandals take center stage. The sad truth is that the church has no lack of abuse stories. Every generation sees its false teachers, false apostles, false prophets, and psychopaths. They rise like burning, bright shooting stars & they inevitably fall with the same blinding light- destroying whatever gets in their way.
I pray that we can maintain our faith, heed the warning of Scripture, and hold onto our hope in the heat of controversy, pain, and trauma.
Christ is our hope. Not another church leader or the promise of revival. I pray we remember this truth above all else.
Links below for The Messed Up Church YouTube video on Bickle & The Heaven Bent podcast.
