Why I Like Mike Guglielmucci's Song "Healer" More Now Than Before He Confessed Faking Cancer
Posted by Ryan Flanigan
It was early August when I first heard Mike Guglielmucci's song "Healer" and the testimony behind it. This heartbreaking story of a young man with cancer strapping on his oxygen tubes, walking out onto the stage, and lifting up his emotional profession to God, "I believe You're my Healer," captured my heart and caused me to immediately purchase the Hillsong album This Is Our God. "Healer" is, in my opinion, by far the best song on the album. (Most of the others are not congregationally friendly, and/or are somewhat shallow, including one that is borderline unbiblical, but we won't get into that.)
I began losing interest in Guglielmucci's song a couple weeks after getting the album, when I watched the CCLI TV Song Story of "Healer." I expected what I saw: a flippantly emotional worship story. (I would link to the video, but it seems to have been annihilated from internet existence.) Mike told of how he had been diagnosed with cancer, and that he didn't have very much time to live. So he went home one day and began crying to God, and out came the song "Healer" from start to finish in one take. I admit my disbelief that that part really happened, but what was more striking to me was the story and footage of the night of the recording. If I recall correctly, Guglielmucci spoke of how particularly weak he was before going on the stage, which is why, I assume, he needed oxygen, and that if he was going to get through the song it had to be the sustaining power of God that would do it.
Forgive my skepticism, but the video of that Hillsong event, from Mike's passionate, shaky reading of Isaiah 53 over an eliciting keyboard pad, to tears streaming down many faces as they watched a dying friend, awestruck of his faith, wreaked of mere experientialism. I did not hear anything even remotely Christ-centered in all of the Song Story video, but rather was taken aback by the manipulative power of a moving story, an emotionally melodic song, and masses of people being touched by what they deemed to be the Holy Spirit, but what I suspect was something other than God. And then...
I have two comments:
1. Joy fills my heart even more than shock, and there is no disgust or anger, or feeling deceived or victimized, or anything like that. This song has become true, and especially for Mike Guglielmucci. Despite the lies and conniving that might have inspired him to write this song, God had other plans. Could it be that "Healer" was a prophetic cry from Mike's heart that God is now answering? It is nothing less than just that. Mike (and everyone) thought the song was about his physical healing, but it turns out it is really about a restored soul. My prayer is that Mike continues down this Godly path of healing and forgiveness that began with this God-led confession, that he would see the nonsense of experientialism, and that his eyes would be opened to the activity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in worship.
2. What does this say about the capacity of each and every one of us to manipulate, emotionally control, use words, actions, vocal inflections, tears, get caught up in the moment, be led by feelings, etc., whether we are on stage preaching or leading worship, or facing the stage being taught or led, or going about our relationships with one another in everyday life? Man is fickle. We are all fakers. The most seemingly honest, tell-it-like-it-is person is still putting on a show. We all give in to the illusions of this world and constantly struggle living and deciphering between what is real and what is worldly. This tension is the nature of the Christian life. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're immune to this problem. Humble yourself like Mike, and fess up. He is in the best place of his life right now, broken, despised by many, loved by God and closer to Him than ever before. Are you?
15 comments
Comment by Anonymous on November 7, 2008 at 5:35 PM
I feel the same way. I feel like the direction Hillsongs is going is on a professional level not spiritual. "Healer" was written by a sinner and so it shall be a blessing to them. The rest of the songs on that Cd feel like that are by professionals, not worshipers of the spirit, and so "professional" worshipers will be the ones that find it motivating. My opinion in short.
Comment by Anonymous on March 8, 2009 at 1:24 PM
I also think this deepens, rather than cheapens, the song. It serves to underline doubly that this man has a deep disease, one of deeper and larger consequence than cancer. Cancer seems a petty complaint compared to what truly ails him. And for that, much more than from any kind of cancer (real or fake), he needs (and all of us need) healing. I can see that the raw emotion of thing song is a cry not for physical healing, but for a way out of what was eating him up even as he perpetuated the lie. Disease can be understood in two ways: as a physical disease, or as a dis-ease, an unease that devours the spirit.
Comment by andy on April 27, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Ryan, thanks for your critical, merciful, constructive comments on this situation. My team and I are in the midst of revisiting this song and I appreciate your Gospel-centric approach to dealing with the controversy around it. Your comments have given me much to think about. There is a real opportunity available to demonstrate grace, illustrate repentance and experience reconciliation, and motivate us all toward the cross.
Comment by dress_izumi on June 17, 2010 at 6:44 PM
wow...this is by far the best comment on the story...i just googled mike guglielmucci, and found dozens of websites talking about disapointment, disallusion, sin, indignation...etc. but i share your opinion, because sin weakens when it's confessed, so, i really believe that this happened as his healing as you mentioned:)God does better, and we just don't get it!*blessings
Comment by chris on August 31, 2010 at 8:10 PM
I am totally humbled. I am also guilty of instantly judging and hating on the song because of the motive it was created with. But you are absolutely right. The healing was in his heart. Confessing before the world and asking for forgiveness led to the world hating on him and the song. It takes true conviction from the love of Christ that leads us to confession; that leads us to step into the light to show our true self. I feel ashamed of my judgmental views. God is good.
Comment by Unknown on September 22, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Thanks for your insight. God has been showing me recently just how often we try to manipulate situations for our own selfish purposes. Many times just through the tone or the way we word things as we try to direct others thoughts or emotions. Most of us do not do it before huge crowds, but it is still sin just the same.
Comment by Anonymous on April 8, 2011 at 2:27 PM
show me ur talent michael create ur own song that will inspired as a manifestation to challenge and prayer for our kingdom of God. Release a new songs or a new album. never mind whatever criticisms. Show me ur creation like more than healer composition songs that can change and move forward...
Comment by ninaruth on June 15, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Thank you...such grace! This blesses me...I've always loved the song & never knew the story behind it...and then the story behind the story...
anyone can write an emo song of modern "worship," but only a TRUE worshiper, touched by God's amazing grace, can sacrifice his reputation for the sake of God's reputation & tell the Truth, even if it means others may judge him.
Thank you Mike! And thanks, Ryan for posting this wonderful blog that I just discovered!
Comment by Anonymous on August 23, 2012 at 2:46 PM
Thank you! as previous commentators said, I too was troubled and thought 'what now, another scandal again in the name of Christ'.
Mike truly humbled himself before God and millions of people, sacrificing his reputation and other precious things (like may be love from his family), putting them before God, allowing God to deliver him and make him accountable to the people he deceived... what a lonely path! Not many can handle this kind of honesty. Not many can bare themselves of good and bad to be alone with Him.
He loves us, he loved us first (in our dirt), he just us to come home to Him. He is elevated above everything, the good and the bad.
Comment by kima fanai on September 18, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Thanks Ryan, I still sin everyday intentionally or unintentionally. That is why it is
Grace alone, Faith alone, Christ alone. God bless.
Comment by Anonymous on October 29, 2012 at 1:56 PM
I just think it's two separate issues. 1. Yes, definitely forgive the person.
2. But no, don't go on glorifying the scandal by continuing to use the song in corporate worship settings. Think about all the people in your congregation who, when that song starts, instantly visualize Mike on stage with oxygen tanks. It sends them right back to the center of the scandal. Don't do that to them. There are thousands of healing songs out there, many are really great. Why do we need to wallow in the mud trying to redeem the songs that really should be tossed from our circulation?
Comment by Anonymous on November 11, 2012 at 5:50 PM
I listened to this song as I had treatment for advanced and aggressive cancer, it helped me so much. Knowing the story behind the song made me think how difficult it is for people whose illnesses and situations are not publically acceptable to ask for help and have their cry for healing heard. Maybe we need to think how we support people trying to resolve the more taboo difficulties in their lives.
Comment by Anonymous on December 19, 2012 at 8:27 AM
Jesus said we are to forgive not 70 times but 70 x 7 times (not sure I got the numbers right)...It's in situations like these that the hearts of each and every Christians is revealed...this is when our hearts are put to the test to see how willing and ready we are to forgive our brothers' shortcomings...I am a worshipper and I also sang a song while I was living a lie, therefore I know the depth of the heart's cry to God when you are bound in sin and can't find your way out and can't feel like you can tell anybody...a sad thing when you feel you can't share in your own church...it's when we are in the deepest pain that the cry to God comes out at its best...I am not condoning sin...I've suffered the consequences of them and have received God's forgiveness, but just because he was standing on a stage, it doesn't make him any better or less sinful than anybody else and no-one is allowed to judge him. yes, they can feel the pain of deception, but judging is not an option...I pray God will restore him fully, as we all need this prayer.
Comment by Anonymous on May 3, 2013 at 11:53 PM
When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her".
(John 8:7)
Comment by Unknown on June 23, 2013 at 5:06 AM
We should all know that the Church is not a place of/for Perfect people but its a life and a lifestyle or place for Perfecting people.While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.how easy it is for Christians to point out the sins of a brother but hypocratically potray to be blameless,spotless and without blemish.For our righteousness is as filthy rags before God:its just by Grace,we could have died in our unconfessed sins yesterday,but God's Grace abounds.Let us all learn to forgive one another so that ou Father in Heaven will also forgive us our debts.lets all reflect on the Word of God in Ephsians 6:18.
Thanks for joining us and sharing your thoughts.