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Christianity Today, September, 2008 |

Leaving Lakeland

The Florida Outpouring revival concerned Pentecostal leaders.

Cary McMullen, The Ledger of Lakeland | posted 8/12/2008 10:13AM

Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley has announced that he will leave the Florida Outpouring revival meetings in Lakeland on August 23 to conduct revivals overseas. But some local Pentecostal leaders, as ...

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imperfect

Posted: August 23, 2008 10:28 AM

God i ask that we would point the finger at ourselves first before we look at others. it is easy to bring judgement Lord but not easy to number ourselves with the transgressors. Lord the accuser of the brethren stands before you day and night to bring accusation. far be it from us to not keep a standard of holiness, but Jesus may we carry your heart when it comes to intercession over judgement for you love mercy and desire it over judgement and wrath. Lord i don't want to sit and point out every wrong thing in a brother or a sister in Christ without tears in my eyes. Jesus you looked over Jerusalem and wept at her sin, then you got up on a cross and died for it. Lord you died for the pharisees too. God cause my heart to break for Todd and Benny and all these ones that i may not fully agree with. Jesus i thank you for the good fruit you did produce through them. whatever real healings and true salvations, Lord thank you. everything else will be tested by fire on that day. mercy Lord!

ChineseAmericanChristian

Posted: August 22, 2008 1:38 AM


Revival has never been easy or acceptable with middle-class evangelicals. Revival is messy. It rocks the boat & upset the status quo. It's easier to worship a politician or president to to follow & obey God.

lori	Posted: August 21, 2008 12:33 PM

well I was there!! I did not jump or shout or pass out. I simply worshipped God, and felt free to do so. If you go there and seek todd bentley, that is all you will find, go where you go and seek God, and it's God you'll find. Too many pastors make it their ministry telling what is wrong with everyone else's. You can type and pastor's name in google and someone somewhere has criticize them. Just stop it! And seek God and let God use anything he can to call his children to him. What is someone told you a donkey spoke to them, I bet you'd call him crazy or that he is a liar, what if someone heard voices in a burning bush, what if they wrestled with an angel, or spoke to a snake, or saw an entire sea part, or was blind then could see.. God is a radical God, Just ask lazerus

J Ruthven

Posted: August 19, 2008 9:16 PM

The climax and thesis statement of Peter's keynote address (Acts 2:38-39) introducing Christianity is a citation from Isa 59:21 "This is my covenant with them, says the LORD: my Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children's children, says the LORD, from now on and forever." This programmatic prophecy of Acts mirrors and advances that of Luke's gospel (Isa 61:1-2). Traditional theology describes the new covenant as being fulfilled in "repent and be baptized" but this is *preparation* for the new covenant (Mt 3:11||Mk 1:8||Lk 3:16) which rather is the bestowal of the Spirit from the exalted Christ. Accordingly, charismatic manifestations, however imperfectly presented, represent, not proofs of the Gospel, but express the Gospel itself ("For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power" 1 Cor 4:20; 1 Th 1:5; Heb 2:4). (JPT 16--in press)

Mike	Posted: August 19, 2008 10:35 AM

New fads come and go. Holy laughter was all the rage in some circles. Thankfully, the churches I have attended (even those who believed in speaking tongues, word of knowledge, etc) are and were more concerned with Biblical doctrine, discipleship, and living the fruits of the Spirit. Some people are just drawn to the fantastic and the novel, and that's a pity. Seems to be a trend among Charismatics.

The Hope Movement

Posted: August 19, 2008 9:00 AM

The day has arrived and God is tired. We only seek His hands and not His face. This is not relationship. Well-known ministers adverise their meeting promoting what you can get from God such as a healing, financial blessing, etc. God is calling us just to come to spend time with Him asking nothing from His hands, only seeking His face. Only longing to be in His arms, gazing into His eyes, and listening to His voice. God has a message for us, seek my face, not my hands. Be my hands, unite, and step out of your comfort zone and reach those reaching out to you longing for hope.

Guy	Posted: August 18, 2008 12:17 PM

I think it is interesting that the tone and conversation of these articles are similar to the protest of the religious establishment of the first century. As demostration of divine healing and the revealing of power from Heaven called the anointing became their teaching and name, Christians, they were forced to run from the persecution. I find the account in Acts 18:24-28 reflective of Evangelical stance today, in 1 John 2:18-23 we see the warning of those opposed to the anointing that was revealed through Jesus the Christ. Those that fail to understand that Christ is more than a name it is the very power that defined His ministry, the power that he gave to us, is in danger of denying Him.

Joe	Posted: August 15, 2008 5:07 PM


If my Church History memory is good, St francis of Assisi also met Paul and Peter... I am sure that would be fun...or how about Moses and Elijhah... Christianity is weird...so nothing new wwith Todd Bentley. At least he is not running around nacked like Isaiah...for three years

Anonymous

Posted: August 14, 2008 10:02 AM


This is no different than so called mainstream christianity preaching a crossless salvation. As long as you mention a few bible verses and lift up your hands and say Jesus' name you are "preaching."

Anita

Posted: August 13, 2008 8:33 PM

Unfortunately there is an error in his thinking. Just because people are coming doesn't mean he is necessarily acting in a Godly manner or conveying the Spirit of God on those people. For those who don't know, God's adversary, the devil can counterfeit situations that seem to be coming from God. This man's appearance and actions are not Godly or reflecting God in any way. People are curious and getting caught up into the moment. Look at what people like Jim Jones, etc. did and had their followers believing they were Jesus Christ.

Newly Revived Christian

Posted: August 13, 2008 7:29 PM

Without Lakeland Outpouring and God TV broadcasts, I'd be still a fallen Christian, denying God. Seeing Lakeland revival services and people getting healed made me think again whether God is real or not. To me it was a powerful testimony that God indeed is real and has influence on our present lives this day. I've been through a Bible school and have read some theology. I've seen Todd Bentley only lifting up Jesus Christ in those services. I've felt the presence of God while watching. And God spoke to me about going to Lakeland. I'm in Europe, but next week I'll be flying to Lakeland in search of God's presence, not some preacher. I thank God for what he has done there... I testify what God has done in my heart. Glory to God!!!!!

Peter Davids

Posted: August 13, 2008 6:25 PM

My contact with the Lakeland phenomena was not in Florida, but in London. I happened to visit St. Andrews Chorleywood and its rector, Dr. Mark Stibbe, and his team were just back from Lakeland. I would suggest that his scholarly and nuanced analysis, which is available for download from his church, would be well worth considering, especially since it comes from an eyewitness who is very much conversant with the literature of revival over the centuries. What I do know is that Dr.Stibbe led a service in which the power of the Spirit, which he attributed to his time in Lakeland, was clearly present. I might also add that while there is a type of Bible belt in Abbotsford, BC, the largeer Bible belt in Canada is in the Prairie Provinces that stretch over far more than 20 miles. Unfortunately, New Brunswick, where I live is not part of that area.

bill in Florida

Posted: August 13, 2008 6:02 PM


Your exactly right Joe, Jesus said to judge the fruit...and God said that he hates divorce. The fruits are becomeing very ripe!

Steve

Posted: August 13, 2008 5:46 PM

@James Mcilwraith "Isn't this just spreading gossip?" Not at all. If Bentley claims that he has raised 35 people from the dead, it's the same in person or on video. Not one resurrection can be proven. If Bentley claims he kicked an elderly lady to heal her, because the Holy Spirit said to, we know it's not true because the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of gentleness. Again this is true whether or not I hear it in person. Those that attend the meeting are more likely to get carried away with the emotion and the hype, but that doesn't make what's happening a God thing. It only makes it an emotional thing. This event in Lakeland isn't validated by any man saying it's a God thing. It's not validated by 30000 attendees a week. It can only be validated by Scripture, and by Scripture it's found to be wanting.

Sam	Posted: August 13, 2008 5:00 PM

The antics of these far flung crusades don't need to be attended to be judged. One only needs to read the Gospels to see that Hinn, et al. and this Bentley guy who kicks people, are charlatans. Look Jesus was'nt holding private rallies to work people up over miracles. He went about village to village, neighborhood to neighborhood and prayed for healing and then told people not to make a scene about it. When religious nuts demanded a sign and a miracle, Jesus said no! There were plenty of healing circus acts in the 1st century and Jesus was being clear that his Kingdom was not part of that it was about the day-to-day going about missional activity.

Johann

Posted: August 13, 2008 4:45 PM

Oh, Christianity Today and its readers are so sickeningly gentle and kind. This clown doesn't need the benefit of the doubt, he needs a good old fashion tar and feathering. How hilarious is it that "Pentecostal leaders" are "concerned" about this guy, as if Pentecostal leaders were any sort of orthodox (or even educated) authority. Pentecostalism itself, from supposedly "responsible" Assemblies of God to the wackiest Benn Hinn or Lakeland freak show, is the most dangerous heresy in Christianity today, perhaps ever. It's a syncretic faith that combines various strains of Christianity along with several New Age and pagan religions, all in the worship of the Self and the glorification of emotion. Yet Christianity Today doesn't have the guts to make any sort of judgement. What a time we live in!

Joe Chip

Posted: August 13, 2008 4:23 PM

Interesting (and sad) that Todd is leaving his wife or vice versa. I'm sure he'll be in the news for some weeks to come as all this falls out. Is Mr. Bentley legit? I cannot say for sure. My gut tells me he is not - where in the Bible were signs and wonders played up for dramatic effect? Jesus touched people, Peter laid on hands and prayed... there were no crowds, no "BAMs", no kicking or screaming or falling over. It just seems too emotional. But leave the ultimate judgment up to God and pray for him, his family and his followers that they would know and share the love of Christ.

Jerry Cobb

Posted: August 13, 2008 3:56 PM

While I am in no means a follower or proponent of the charismatic pentecostals, It all comes down to grace. We are saved through grace, we interact through grace, we live through grace. Yes, we must beware false prophets, but we should also remember, Paul in Philippians 18 "Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice." My opinion . . . Much of the pentecostal stuff I think is hype in my opinion, and even more so mass hysteria or pseudo hypnosis, but I don't "know" . . . That's the point, I'm not perfect, I don't know, I liove through grace and accept God's will, because ultimately, God is right, God is in control, God doesn't make mistakes! Jim Jones started off a Pentecost, his failure doesn't mean Christ wasn't promoted, through Jonestown, an understanding of what Christ is not can be found. Through suffering and pain, comes Grace, Through Grace we are saved! God works in mysterious ways, cliche but true.

Skye	Posted: August 13, 2008 3:22 PM

It bothers me when people take "sound-bites" and focus on nothing but that. It's ridiculous when you think about it, because then anything that anyone says in passing can suddenly be turned into a controversial statement. I have to agree with scripture on this one, "judge a tree by it's fruit." If people are being healed in the name of Jesus, saved in the name of Jesus, and are praising the name of Jesus, then I don't see anything wrong with it. When Jesus' disciples saw a group of people casting out demons in his name, they asked if Jesus wanted them to stop them, to which he replied "If they aren't against me, they're for me." I say the same here: Unless something contrary to scripture is mentioned then I think we need to thank God that his name is being glorified. Scipture also says that the latter will be greater than the former. Instead of always looking to the NT, we need to realize that we should be doing GREATER miracles in Jesus' name than even he did, as he told us to.

Marcus

Posted: August 13, 2008 1:44 PM


To Art Ellingsen - you want proof?? - all you have to do is hear the man http://www.alittleleaven.com/2008/05/todd-bentley-th.html God Bless

James Mcilwraith

Posted: August 13, 2008 1:42 PM


What amazes me is how many Christians are prepared to criticize Todd Bentley whilst in most cases having never been to one of his meetings, or having never spent any time with him or any one in his organization. Isn't this just spreading gossip?

jeff	Posted: August 13, 2008 10:45 AM

Some interesting issues at play. The players in the old moves of God are usually the sharpest to criticize the new moves for God did not do it like that in our time. Every move of God whether Luther, Wesley, Calvin, Evan Roberts or the Healing revival in the 50's , charismatic in the 60's, Toronto Blessing in the 90's, are always lead by broken vessels. I wonder what people would say today if one of our leaders had others murdered because of their unorthodox views much like Luther did. The bottom line issue is are people coming to Christ, are they drawing closer in relationship, are people healed and delivered. Be careful when one does not understand the moving's of the Spirit for it is foreign to them. We can not tell which direction the Spirit may blow.

Trish

Posted: August 13, 2008 9:59 AM


My local Lakeland paper today says Bentley is filing for separation from his wife. Also, his media liaison here in Lakeland is stepping down.

John McK

Posted: August 13, 2008 8:33 AM


Well, not only is our friend leaving Lakeland, but he is leaving his wife and kids as well. Is this supposed to be part of the Charismatic movement, moving away from the basic principles of scripture and family for fame and frontrowism. The Tares are as ripe as the wheat and harvest time is upon us!

Carlos

Posted: August 13, 2008 6:48 AM

The 'Gift's' of healing and the supernatural, is a very sensitive area of Christian Ministry, and probably, the easiest to counterfiet, which is why we need careful discernment, for it is not based on how one is dressed, or the 'terms' that are are used, but rather on the empowerment of, and by the Holy Spirit, with The Lord Jesus Christ, as the central focus. We must always be careful, not to throw the baby of revelation out, with the bath-water of extravagant superstition!

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