Carnal vs. Spiritual Christians and the "Lakeland Healing Outpouring"
Yesterday I watched another hour of the Lakeland Healing meetings with Todd Bentley (A re-run of Thursday night). I was actually very impressed for a good long time, and I feel it is only fair for me to report this. For most of the time I watched, Todd was speaking in Jesus' name and declaring many diseases healed. He told people that Jesus was healing them and to expect Him to touch them deeply. Granted, it was very emotional, but I can overlook that--God made our emotions, so why not use them?
But after the ministry time, when Todd had people get up on stage to testify, things took an ugly turn and Todd fell right back into the very things I've been speaking out against for the past week and a half.
Over and over, Todd reminded people of the "word of knowledge" he had that brought each person their healing and even once asked, "Do you know why this man is healed?" I waited in anticipation for a presentation of the Gospel, but Todd answered himself: "He got healed because I had a Word of Knowledge..." No mention of the Gospel. No mention of Jesus. But he did say that when he gave the Word of Knowledge, the healing angels of the Lord visited the man.
It grieves me to keep seeing these things because so much of it was on-track and opened wide such huge doors for a presentation of the True Gospel. But Todd Bentley keeps doing such subtle things that completely squash the revival-potential of this movement. I'm reminded of the popular sermon illustration in which the kids tell their dad that they want to watch a PG-13 movie, arguing that "there's only a little bit of bad stuff in it." The kids come home from school, and the dad has made brownies. The kids rush to the brownies, and the dad stops them. "Before you eat them," he says, "You should know one thing: I put a 'little bit' of dog poop in them...but it's only a little bit."
It's that "little bit" of problems I have with the Lakeland meetings that make me so disenchanted with Todd and everything going on there in Florida. I find it hard to rejoice that they have rented the "Joker Stadium" to house the thousands of people now flocking to the meetings from around the world. Why? Because it's only catering to the flesh.
Jesus performed many signs and wonders, but it was always to confirm His word--same thing with the apostles. If you are performing signs and wonders--especially at the magnitude of Todd Bentley--then you have an intense responsibility to speak the truth along with them. Yes, Todd is leading people in "God, save me" prayers, but there is nothing happening in the areas of exposing sin or inviting people to repentance. Physical healings fix the body and bless the soul. They are an external work. Preaching the full Gospel of Jesus Christ (including the need for repentance) is where the internal application comes. Unless there is an internal work, the event is nothing more than carnal and fleshly.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the church of Corith by saying that they are carnal and worldly because of their quarrelsome focus on following mere men. This is the same Corinthian Church about whom Paul said, "...you do not lack any spiritual gift..." (1 Cor. 1:7). They had the gifts, but they were earthly-minded. They focused on human leaders and how to meet the needs of their flesh. Yes, they believed in Jesus, but their focus was misplaced.
I see the same thing happening in Lakeland, Florida, with Todd Bentley. People are looking at Todd for an "impartation" and for the "10 anointings" he promised them (whatever those may be). There is a tremendous external application, but barely any internal application. It's carnal. It's fleshly. It's earthly-minded. And it is focused on a mere man instead of the pure, holy, and righteous Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
But after the ministry time, when Todd had people get up on stage to testify, things took an ugly turn and Todd fell right back into the very things I've been speaking out against for the past week and a half.
Over and over, Todd reminded people of the "word of knowledge" he had that brought each person their healing and even once asked, "Do you know why this man is healed?" I waited in anticipation for a presentation of the Gospel, but Todd answered himself: "He got healed because I had a Word of Knowledge..." No mention of the Gospel. No mention of Jesus. But he did say that when he gave the Word of Knowledge, the healing angels of the Lord visited the man.
It grieves me to keep seeing these things because so much of it was on-track and opened wide such huge doors for a presentation of the True Gospel. But Todd Bentley keeps doing such subtle things that completely squash the revival-potential of this movement. I'm reminded of the popular sermon illustration in which the kids tell their dad that they want to watch a PG-13 movie, arguing that "there's only a little bit of bad stuff in it." The kids come home from school, and the dad has made brownies. The kids rush to the brownies, and the dad stops them. "Before you eat them," he says, "You should know one thing: I put a 'little bit' of dog poop in them...but it's only a little bit."
It's that "little bit" of problems I have with the Lakeland meetings that make me so disenchanted with Todd and everything going on there in Florida. I find it hard to rejoice that they have rented the "Joker Stadium" to house the thousands of people now flocking to the meetings from around the world. Why? Because it's only catering to the flesh.
Jesus performed many signs and wonders, but it was always to confirm His word--same thing with the apostles. If you are performing signs and wonders--especially at the magnitude of Todd Bentley--then you have an intense responsibility to speak the truth along with them. Yes, Todd is leading people in "God, save me" prayers, but there is nothing happening in the areas of exposing sin or inviting people to repentance. Physical healings fix the body and bless the soul. They are an external work. Preaching the full Gospel of Jesus Christ (including the need for repentance) is where the internal application comes. Unless there is an internal work, the event is nothing more than carnal and fleshly.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the church of Corith by saying that they are carnal and worldly because of their quarrelsome focus on following mere men. This is the same Corinthian Church about whom Paul said, "...you do not lack any spiritual gift..." (1 Cor. 1:7). They had the gifts, but they were earthly-minded. They focused on human leaders and how to meet the needs of their flesh. Yes, they believed in Jesus, but their focus was misplaced.
I see the same thing happening in Lakeland, Florida, with Todd Bentley. People are looking at Todd for an "impartation" and for the "10 anointings" he promised them (whatever those may be). There is a tremendous external application, but barely any internal application. It's carnal. It's fleshly. It's earthly-minded. And it is focused on a mere man instead of the pure, holy, and righteous Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
1 Corinthans 3:21-23--So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God (NIV).Keep your eyes fixed on the Son of God, and don't be distracted by big names and external miracles. Seek God for the internal application of His Word.
Labels: carnal Christians, discernment, gifts of the Spirit, gospel, healing, Jesus Christ, Lakeland Healing Revival, power, purity, repentance, revival, sin, supremacy of Christ, Todd Bentley
posted by Art Thomas | Saturday, May 03, 2008
6 Comments:
I grieve with you Art..
Why Todd not tell about the Gospel and begins to give the glory to man..???
All things is for Jesus!!
Keep Growing in JESUS!
Keep Having servanthood heart!
Keep Doing God's bussiness
Keep Sharing Gospel
Keep Showing the world, the Power of God.
And give ALL the glory to GOD!
Your concern about Todd Bentley is merited. Check out his teachings on Angelic Hosts http://www.upstreamca.org/angelichosts.html
He talks about some really weird stuff like talking to an angel named Emma. He also talks about the "Spirit" causing him to drop on all fours and start roaring like a lion in a convenience store. You'll find a lot more whacko stuff by googling "todd bentley" +angelic +host. I thank God that he still moves in the midst of error, but this needs to be corrected.
Thank God that their Christians who are holding on to the truth of God and loving the wonderful witness of the Spirit of Truth!
I have been comforted by what I have read. Many are "running" after this Todd Bentley "revival" and I have been grieved for all the reasons many of you have mentioned. Blessings and love to you all.
Rebecca (27 years preaching and loving people)
Art,
I noticed you have promoted Bill Johnson's book "When Heaven Invades Earth".... I too read this book and loved it.
However, I am seriously considering not reading Bill Johnson anymore because he rebukes every critic of the carnal Lakeland revival and throws himself completely into this deception.
I love the supernatural as do you!
I long to see a pure gospel spoken through simple people with signs and wonders following.
However,I can no longer support most of the charismatic movement as it has no discernment whatsoever.
Bill Johnson, someone I once trusted, is leading people into deception by emphatically supporting the Lakeland Emma spirits.
Johnson is one of Bentley's mentors, instead of rebuking Bentley, he supporting him to the world and leading those who like his book into the "guided visualization" deception led by Bentley/Jones.
Johnson also has let Bob Jones speak at his church many times.
I can't trust a pastor who leads me into polluted pastures...a TRUE pastor leads people into healthy pastures.
Hi Yohanon,
I too was a little disenchanted with Johnson after seeing how emphatically he supports Todd. However, I still stand by that book and the things Bill Johnson wrote there that have revolutionized my faith.
I don't see Johnson's support of Lakeland as a reason to throw away that book or take it off my recommended reading list.
The only book I've taken off my list was by a minister who went way off the deep end, even to the point of possibly blaspheming the Holy Spirit--I won't go into that here, though. My point is simply that I don't feel uncomfortable promoting his book because I don't believe he's too far gone.
You are correct that we should be careful with his current leadership, though...but, then, that's true accross the board with any minister.
True pastors should indeed lead people into healthy pastures. Nevertheless, Christ's sheep are not called to be mindless--we must test the spirits and hold everything up to Scripture to see if it's true...even with people we trust!
I instruct people to do the same with everything that even I say; not because I'm cocky, but because I know how frail and weak I am. I'm so grateful for all the people who proactively keep me on-track and focused. I don't always like to hear it, but I know it's healthy (sort of like eating your vegetables).
One last thing: I haven't heard Bill Johnson say anything about the "Emma" spirit specifically. Many people are associating "Emma" with Lakeland due to some Internet chatter; but as far as I know, none of the Lakeland people have brought "Emma" into the picture there. Todd typically talks about "healing angels" and another being named "Winds of Change," but "Emma" came from a teaching Todd put out about nine months or so ago. I don't think he's mentioned this spirit in Lakeland Just wanted to clear that up.
Thanks for the comment!
--Art--
Wow!
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