Over 50 years, somehow America went from Jesus Freaks to political Christians. Jesus Freaks made Christianity spontaneously contagious. People took off their masks and caught it from them. They didn’t hope in politics, a bag of tricks, or a religious quick fix.

I believe that churches gradually shut down the Jesus Movement of 1970s, by systematizing and structuring it and squeezing out the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit. As many Jesus Freaks became preachers and church leaders, they slowly switched their loyalty from freely expressing their love for Jesus, to staying in line with church order. I miss all the “fools for Christ” who used to roam around, expressively celebrating Jesus everywhere they went. Let’s bring back the Jesus Freaks!

Jesus Freaks wanted to submit to Jesus, even when it disturbed the status quo. They were amazing models of untamed Christianity, until they were tamed and housebroken by the prevailing church culture. From the Jesus Movement until now, I’ve seen ecclesiastical power stop moves of God.

Jesus Freaks were preoccupied with the living Jesus Christ–joyfully focused on Him. They expected God to act in unusual ways, and He did! Today too many Christians are focused on politics. Nowadays, many Christians are limping spiritually, when we should be leaping for Jesus. What many Christians call their “tribe” may actually be their cage.

Jesus Freaks embraced the invisible kingdom (government) of God, not a human leadership and human government. When they gathered around the living Jesus, they’re weren’t an audience for a human leader, but sheep responding to their invisible Shepard. They were acutely aware of their great, daily need for the living Jesus.

Jesus Freaks were taught and inspired by Jesus living inside them. They passionately read the Bible, and didn’t need professional preachers to teach them. The Jesus Freaks were experiencing the risen Jesus and couldn’t doubt His reality. For them, Jesus was reality — more dependable than either people or the physical world.

Most Jesus Freaks weren’t part of a Christian hierarchy. We saw ourselves as all equal, until churches gradually reimposed the clergy/laity concept on us. I’m a Jesus Freak who was “ruined.” I’ve never been willing to tone down my passion for Christ and my loyalty to Him above any human leaders, organization, or nation.

I was always amazed at how much love, kindness, and humility I saw in Jesus Freaks. People called Jesus Freaks “fanatics.” I wish we all could be such caring “fanatics.” When I remember hanging out with Jesus Freaks, I’m so moved that I cry.

The main desire of Jesus Freaks was for more and more of the living Jesus. They wanted to be up and doing, not just attending and listening. Thus, they weren’t good at fitting into religious roles.

Jesus Freaks encouraged people to follow the living Jesus, not religious programs. They preferred to follow Christ in the streets instead of sermons in a church. Jesus Freaks experienced exciting Christianity! Most church goers know what the typical preacher is going to say next; nobody knows what the living Jesus is going to do next! Jesus Freaks experienced many surprising, divine visitations.

For Jesus Freaks, praying was a conversation with their best Friend. They sought to deflect honor and recognition from themselves to Christ.

Old Jesus Freaks, humanity needs you to come out of hiding and to return to your first love for Christ. Jesus Freaks need to be a wake-up call for Christians in 2020. Old Jesus Freaks, before you die, get your passion back and pass it on far and wide!

Jesus Freaks have lived thru out the last 2,000 years. I love reading their stories. The Philokalia is an Orthodox book written by ancient Jesus Freaks. I love it!

Most Christian denominations were started by Jesus Freaks. (The Bible doesn’t use the term Jesus Freaks, but “fools for Christ.”) Many of the people Catholics call saints were Jesus Freaks. Thru out history, some people were “freaked out” by Jesus Freaks. (Can you imagine that?)

Need a handbook for living as a Jesus Freak? Read the Bible.

I’ve also written a guidebook for exciting Christian living. Search for: The Joy Of Early Christianity book. Thank you.