The HOLY Spirit, the Lakeland Healings, and the Charismatic Movement
The Holy Spirit is just that: HOLY. To be holy, according to the Encarta Dictionary, is to be "dedicated or set apart...devoted to the service of God...sacred...awe-inspiring...having a character that evokes reverance." These are some of the aspects of the Holy Spirit. Then, throughout the Scripture, we discover many other aspects: His gentleness, His humility (always pointing to Christ), His work in the Resurrection of Jesus, His present-day revealing of Jesus Christ...
But what I'm seeing in Lakeland is not in line with all these things. It certainly is awe-inspiring at times, but then so is a really good musician. And every other aspect can only be seen with loose references. For instance, I have heard from many people (pastors included) who have been watching the meetings from the beginning and noticed that never once has the resurrection of Jesus Christ been even mentioned. This is a shame because it is so foundational to Christianity. As Paul said, if there is no resurrection of Christ, then "our preaching is useless and so is your faith."
And how about humility? I certainly cannot judge a man's heart, but I can definitely judge his actions and the fruit of those actions. As Paul said, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" (1 Cor. 5:12). As soon as someone claims to be a Christian, they open themselves up to scrutiny and judgment within the Body of Christ--not for the sake of division, but for the sake of purification and a resultant unity. As far as humility goes, I keep seeing Todd drawing attention to himself and going into great detail about the revelations he has received. Have we forgotten Colossians 2:18? "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions." I'm deeply concerned for Todd.
I'm not saying that the Holy Spirit is not at all present--rather, I sense that He is grieved to have been given a backseat to Todd.
But this problem goes way farther than the "Healing Revival" in Lakeland. It spreads to the Charismatic movement as a whole. I would consider myself a Charismatic due to my relationship with the Holy Spirit and belief in His spiritual gifts; but I am becoming increasingly bothered by the excesses, falsehoods, and lack of reverence demonstrated by many people in the Charismatic movement. I recently had to remove a book from my "recommended reading" page because of the author's unrepentant, irreverant actions.
I'm speaking about John Crowder who authored a book titled The New Mystics. I like this book because it provides a detailed history of the Holy Spirit's activity and presence throughout all of world history up to the present. It has hundreds of well-researched mini-biographies of God's people and the supernatural things they did in the name of Jesus. It is even honest enough to point out the shortcommings and failures of some of these men and women with warnings not to fall into the same traps. But John Crowder has unfortunately not taken his own advice, and I can no longer support or defend him.
To be specific, I found a YouTube video in which John and his friend Benjamin Dunn feature themselves getting "high" by "tokin' the Ghost." It is not only offensive, but I fear for their souls because of the great deception they're in and the blasphemy of their actions as they pretend to take hits on a baby Jesus doll as if it were Marijuana. (I do not want to promote the video, but in case you don't believe me, here's the address: http://youtube.com/watch?v=h5YJPGaH_n0)
There is another video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ec91wvUY7Yo&feature=related) in which Crowder says, "I used to have a teaching gift; now I have a unique gift of being struck mute in the middle of a service." Really? Interesting--I only see this in Scripture as a disciplinary measure (check out yesterday's post about manifestations). John also says there are little, fat, "friar tuck" angels that travel with him and "wheel in barrels from heaven."
Where is the reverence? Where is Jesus Christ? Where is the holiness? Where is the HOLY Spirit?
As much as it grieves me to write these things about brothers like Todd and John, I have to be faithful to the Truth and warn the Body of Christ not to follow their actions or theology in the least.
Keep praying for the leaders and teachers of the Charismatic movement because Satan clearly has issued a systematic attack on us all. If it is not exposed for what it is, then it will remain in darkness. Those of us who have the eyes to see need to sound the alarm even if it costs us (I've already had speaking engagements cancel because of my recent articles).
God bless!
But what I'm seeing in Lakeland is not in line with all these things. It certainly is awe-inspiring at times, but then so is a really good musician. And every other aspect can only be seen with loose references. For instance, I have heard from many people (pastors included) who have been watching the meetings from the beginning and noticed that never once has the resurrection of Jesus Christ been even mentioned. This is a shame because it is so foundational to Christianity. As Paul said, if there is no resurrection of Christ, then "our preaching is useless and so is your faith."
And how about humility? I certainly cannot judge a man's heart, but I can definitely judge his actions and the fruit of those actions. As Paul said, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" (1 Cor. 5:12). As soon as someone claims to be a Christian, they open themselves up to scrutiny and judgment within the Body of Christ--not for the sake of division, but for the sake of purification and a resultant unity. As far as humility goes, I keep seeing Todd drawing attention to himself and going into great detail about the revelations he has received. Have we forgotten Colossians 2:18? "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions." I'm deeply concerned for Todd.
I'm not saying that the Holy Spirit is not at all present--rather, I sense that He is grieved to have been given a backseat to Todd.
But this problem goes way farther than the "Healing Revival" in Lakeland. It spreads to the Charismatic movement as a whole. I would consider myself a Charismatic due to my relationship with the Holy Spirit and belief in His spiritual gifts; but I am becoming increasingly bothered by the excesses, falsehoods, and lack of reverence demonstrated by many people in the Charismatic movement. I recently had to remove a book from my "recommended reading" page because of the author's unrepentant, irreverant actions.
I'm speaking about John Crowder who authored a book titled The New Mystics. I like this book because it provides a detailed history of the Holy Spirit's activity and presence throughout all of world history up to the present. It has hundreds of well-researched mini-biographies of God's people and the supernatural things they did in the name of Jesus. It is even honest enough to point out the shortcommings and failures of some of these men and women with warnings not to fall into the same traps. But John Crowder has unfortunately not taken his own advice, and I can no longer support or defend him.
To be specific, I found a YouTube video in which John and his friend Benjamin Dunn feature themselves getting "high" by "tokin' the Ghost." It is not only offensive, but I fear for their souls because of the great deception they're in and the blasphemy of their actions as they pretend to take hits on a baby Jesus doll as if it were Marijuana. (I do not want to promote the video, but in case you don't believe me, here's the address: http://youtube.com/watch?v=h5YJPGaH_n0)
There is another video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ec91wvUY7Yo&feature=related) in which Crowder says, "I used to have a teaching gift; now I have a unique gift of being struck mute in the middle of a service." Really? Interesting--I only see this in Scripture as a disciplinary measure (check out yesterday's post about manifestations). John also says there are little, fat, "friar tuck" angels that travel with him and "wheel in barrels from heaven."
Where is the reverence? Where is Jesus Christ? Where is the holiness? Where is the HOLY Spirit?
As much as it grieves me to write these things about brothers like Todd and John, I have to be faithful to the Truth and warn the Body of Christ not to follow their actions or theology in the least.
Keep praying for the leaders and teachers of the Charismatic movement because Satan clearly has issued a systematic attack on us all. If it is not exposed for what it is, then it will remain in darkness. Those of us who have the eyes to see need to sound the alarm even if it costs us (I've already had speaking engagements cancel because of my recent articles).
Ephesians 5:11--Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (NIV)Brothers and sisters, test the spirits and continue to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. The TRUE Holy Spirit will point you to Him; but if you find yourself being distracted from Jesus, then you have fallen victim to an evil spirit. Please be careful, friends.
God bless!
Labels: demons, discernment, false teaching, fear of God, following the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, John Crowder, Lakeland Healing Revival, spiritual warfare, Todd Bentley, truth
posted by Art Thomas | Thursday, May 01, 2008
4 Comments:
Hi Art. I followed your link from Melanie Brooks Channel 10 news report in Tampa Bay.
Perhaps we need to realize that the Holy Spirit works with our humanity. Any minister of the gospel should seek personal sanctification before ministering. Any area left unsanctified in our soul gives ground for satan to destroy our witness for Christ. Remember Lot's wife. Remember Ted Haggart. Leave one breach in the wall, and a snake can crawl through and release poision.
We should also expect to see demons react whenever the God is manifested. Let us not respond and fear and throw the baby out with the bath water, but let us retain faith and press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of the Anointed One and His anointing.
I ask your permission to link to your Blog yah..
OKE..
God Bless..
Yudhi,
Thanks for asking...feel free to link :-)
Thanks!
--Art--
I find it a bit chilling that Satan's biggest defeat (the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ) is scarcely mentioned in this month long revival...even when there are overt altar calls for the unsaved...scary.
Great posts btw.
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