Posted on 06/23/2008 11:50:10 AM PDT by Terriergal
CHARITY: Even some Pentecostals are skeptical of Todd Bentley’s tent revival | Rusty Leonard and Warren Cole Smith
Canadian Todd Bentley doesn't look much like a minister. The 32-year-old has body piercings and tattoos on his arms and neck, and he often dresses in black.
But a minister of the gospel he is, or claims to be—and those claims have become the real story of a series of meetings Bentley is holding in Lakeland, Fla.
Bentley's British Columbia-based Fresh Fire Ministries arrived in Lakeland on April 2 for five days of revival meetings at a local church. These services would be broadcast on God TV, a satellite network with a worldwide viewership.
The services were different in another way, Bentley claims: God showed up in a powerful way. A New York public relations firm was quickly hired to send out press releases claiming "documented healings," and God TV relentlessly plugged its broadcasts of the services.
The services, now held in a huge air-conditioned tent, have gone on for months now, and as many as 10,000 people a night are coming. Bentley claims hundreds of people have been healed of everything from deafness to infertility—though he did admit that in the latter case we wouldn't know for sure until the women actually got pregnant. As for the other cases, WORLD made repeated requests for documentation of healings, but claims of "privacy issues" were the only response.
A visit to one of Bentley's services suggests that he is learning how to turn the big crowds into big money. ATM machines have been set up, providing attendees with ready cash for the offering plate and book purchases. The offering is now a significant part of the service, taking as long as 30 minutes. Bentley has not released financial information, saying he is "too busy keeping up with what God is doing" to pull the information together.
More than 150,000 people have attended the meetings, and at least 1.2 million more (according to God TV estimates) have watched on television. Even accepting Fresh Fire's estimate of an average donation of $3 to $5 per person, it's easy to see how donations could end up in the millions. Christian critics wonder if Bentley's theology can be reconciled with Scripture. Michael Horton's book, The Agony of Deceit, documents fraud among televangelists. He told WORLD, "I have not yet encountered a 'faith healer' who failed to preach a different gospel than the one that we find clearly presented in the New Testament."
Even those sympathetic to Pentecostal theology are apprehensive. Mark Balmer, pastor of the 8,000-person Calvary Church in nearby Melbourne, Fla., received so many questions about Bentley that he spoke out. He told WORLD he believes "in all the gifts for today, including healing." He also asserted: "We are not heresy hunters." He nonetheless told his congregation "not to attend any of this counterfeit revival."
Charisma magazine is normally a cheerleader for Pentecostal preachers, but editor Lee Grady told WORLD: "Charismatic and Pentecostal leaders are divided over its legitimacy." Grady said a "council of national-level leaders" convened by C. Peter Wagner, president of Global Harvest Ministries and former professor of church growth at Fuller Theological Seminary, will address these concerns in a meeting later this summer. Until then, though, crowds remain strong, and Bentley said he got a "word from God" to keep the services—and the book sales—going through at least the end of June.
—with reporting by Mike Kuckel in Lakeland, Fla.
Way of the Master Radio June 17 hour 2 about 37:30 into the show until the end
Smelling a scam
How can you tell if a ministry's claims are too good to be true?
1. Ask for financial information. An inability or unwillingness to make such disclosures should be a warning sign.
2. Is there an emphasis on money? Passing the plate is one thing. Passing it multiple times in a service, or dwelling on money issues, should raise questions.
3. Ask for proof of claims of healing. Reputable ministries are not defensive when asked for proof of their claims. They don't make claims they can't prove.
4. Seek wise counsel. Before following the latest Christian celebrity preacher, check with your pastor or others you trust.
—Sources: MinistryWatch.com, Calvary Church Melbourne —
Entire article here - http://www.reformationjournal.com/2008/06/toddbentley/
Let’s consider these words - and how they’re spoken by this spiritual agent for the dark side: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LzbLUQWodk
I would indeed have more respect for him if he looked normal.
But the real proof would be whether he really preaches the Truth from the Bible, not his own version of the Gospel.
Carnival Christianity. Worship the creation rather than the Creator.
It’s not whether or not I like him nor what he looks like. It’s his clear abomination of twisting scripture. You think Bentley is the Apostle Peter? Can you imagine any disciple of the Lord Jesus doing and saying the thing Bentley (and the other 3rd and 4th wave “prophets” around the world) says and does? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LzbLUQWodk
I agree - a former Satanist (which Bentley is) who was redeemed (which Bentley claims he is) WOULD do something to NOT look like a freak of the world, enjoying his appearance as a way to draw attention to himself.
That being said, it’s what Bentley says and does that are MOST grievous. gag
His teachings are extra-Biblical. He should know better than to stand in front of a congregation with that appearance, however. He is supposed to be a spiritual leader, and a good example. I don’t fault him for his tattoos nearly as much as I do for his pierced face. That can be corrected easily.
I agree, his teachings are way extra-Biblical, and as I’ve posted in the past, I don’t believe he preaches Christ. His says Jesus, he says God, but the Jesus and God he teaches aren’t the Jesus and God of the Bible.
Bentley aside (his sacrilege has been covered numerous times, arguing scripture with those who trust Bentley is a frustrating thing) should a Christian (a true brother in Christ) be judged by a fellow Christian for his or her appearance? Or is it a matter of Church leadership? If that is the case, does the content of the congregation matter?
I know this is off the subject of the article, but the subject is present.
Luke 14
Folks maybe this is what’s happening?
Parable of the Great Feast
15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!”
16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.
17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’
18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’
19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’
22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’
23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.
24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”
It is about being a leader, and not “separating himself from the World”, but appearing AS the World. Pastors are held to a higher standard than lay members.
Guess you wouldn't have liked John the Baptist then?
Just a side note to all those who are slamming Todd about the angel Emma. Here you go: Zechariah 5:9 Then I looked up and there before me were two women, with wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork
I don’t know what John the Baptist looked like, but after he received salvation, did he continue to look like a man of the world, or did he become a follower of Christ and separate himself from the world? That is my point. Not about appearance, but about being an example and a leader.
God can use anyone, that’s the point. Doesn’t matter what they look like. Looks should be the least of anyone’s worries. What does the fruit look like? Are people getting saved, healed, delivered? Is the word of God being preached? Is Jesus being raised up? The answer is yes.
Actually, I don’t know what you mean about separating yourself from the world? If your talking about the tattoo’s, I still don’t see your point.
I guess that arena and the tents and chairs are free.
Sorry to disagree with you, but he is NOT teaching Bible the way it is written.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
By the way Peter Wagner was at the revival last night endorsing it along with many others.
“God can use anyone, that’s the point. Doesn’t matter what they look like. Looks should be the least of anyone’s worries. What does the fruit look like? Are people getting saved, healed, delivered? Is the word of God being preached? Is Jesus being raised up? The answer is yes.”
You’re absolutely correct. If Jesus is being glorified, and people are being saved, healed, and delivered . . . then it is foolish to criticize it as not of God. I haven’t been to the Lakeland meetings, but I have two very mature Christian friends that have been there. They were both blessed by the presence of the Lord at the meetings.
I would caution people to be VERY SLOW to criticize something because it doesn’t come in a package they are used to in their own limited experience. People who try to put God in a box are greatly limiting themselves to how God can move in and through their lives.
As to how Bently is dressed, we must remember that man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
If your talking about having nothing to do with unbelievers, separating out from them then I suppose what Jesus did would have been offensive to you. One of His first converts was a prostitute. Matthew was a tax collector. He went where the sinners were, ON PURPOSE.
No, I am referring to having the appearance of someone who has not been truly changed. If he has been truly changed on the inside, he would naturally want to clean up on the outside, especially as a example to followers and non-believers. He is a disgrace in his appearance as a “minister” of the Gospel.
I've watched about 50 nights of the revival on God tv. Been listening to Todd for about two years. I have no problem with him. In fact I have found him to be, biblical. Every time I've had a question about something he's said and TOOK the time to pray about it and study it out I've found him to be accurate. He's refreshing, humble, genuine, on fire, extravagantly devoted to God, his integrity and excellence is beyond reproach.
I think the biggest mistake people make is, presumption. Presumption and pride is what caused the Sadducees and pharisees to miss Jesus. They were looking for someone else and He didn't fit what they were looking for.
If this is truly a move of God, which I believe it is, we as Christian's can't afford to miss it. The divisiveness and division is exactly what the enemy would want. Seeing that both of those can be found in spades on the net, do ya think just maybe it's satan stirring the pot?
Your still talking about how he looks. God looks at the heart of a man, not what the flesh looks like. I’ve seen really extra clean cut, sharp dressed, ministers and they were into all kinds of sin. Can’t go on looks.
Thanks R2G.
Post #25. Thank you Lions Gate.
Good point. Thank you MsLady.
Thanks for your comments mkjessup.
He was in jail at one time.I just got finished reading about it.Hope he is on the up and up for the sake of the souls.
The guy looks Satanic. Shouldn’t he at least avoid that?
Before I go any farther, this is not directed at you fatima. I'm just stating some facts about Todd here, just FYI.
He started Uganda Jesus Village that takes in children that are being used as soldiers in Uganda. Each house they build houses 10 boys, each has a house mother. I think they have 6 houses now.
You can have all the head knowledge you want about the bible doesn't mean a thing. Even satan can quote the bible. What counts is not what is in your head but, who is in your heart. You can tell what's in a persons heart by what comes out of there mouths and what fruit they produce. That's what the bible says.
I pray for him and his family everyday. God knows the only way to hold up under this kind of divisiveness is the power and love of God. He does not take any money from these meetings, they all go to pay for the tents, or whatever the place of meetings are. His ministry pays him a salary that's in the 5 figures. Modest is what one Canadian news paper called it. He sometimes forgets to ask people for donations to pay for everything. As for taking 30 minutes to collect donations. I suppose if you have between 4000 and 10000 people it's gonna take some time. Talk about nit picky sheesh.
He gets at the meetings around 6:30 or 7 maybe a bit earlier, stays until 1-3. He's been there every single day for the past 86 days, except for a couple of days.
They have set up and afternoon training center where they train people to lay hands on the sick and minister the message of Christ. And then they send these people out to do just that, in the malls, on the streets where ever. Todd says this is not about one man or one ministry but, about Jesus and His Kingdom.
Are you saying that Todd's angel Emma is one of the two women in Zechariah 5 who came forth out of the ephah??? Here, let's all read about her:
"3Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
"4I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
"5Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. "6And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
"7And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. 8And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
"9Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
"10Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? 11And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base." [Zechariah 5:3-9]
I have also heard several people speaking against the Lakeland meetings, but like you I believe this is a legitimate outpouring from God.
At it relates to taking up a lot of offerings, installing ATM machines next to the tent so people can get cash from their bank accounts to put in the offerings, financial accoutability issues, and so on . . . these are important issues and should be carefully considered in Lakeland. When the world is watching, every effort should be made to be beyond reproach in all areas - especially in the area of finances.
However, if the finances are out of order, the Lord will deal with that - they will get it straightened out or eventually God will shut it down.
But I believe in Lakeland a real outpouring is taking place.
No....if that were the case then all the criminals would be in jail because we could tell by how they looked. Ted Bundey looked very normal didn't he?
God says, 1 Ch. 28:29 the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.
It doesn't say the Lord searches every flesh....
The two female angels aren't wicked, the woman in the basket that the female angels are carrying away, is.
Zechariah 5:8-9 This is wickedness and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed the lead cover down over its mouth. Then I looked up and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.
Amen to that!!! This is the real deal and as far as I’ve heard and can tell, it’s very much on the up and up.
Where are there female angels in the scriptures???
The two female angels aren't wicked, the woman in the basket that the female angels are carrying away, is.
Oh really!!! The text does not call those two women "angels" at all, and furthermore those two women "came out" of the ephah which is called "wickedness".
For every person he leads to salvation, how many does he drive away? I can just imagine how many people would be very uncomfortable with a guy in the pulpit that looked Satanic. They just wouldn’t attend. Count me in that group.
And this guy is the epitome of Jesus FREAK.
But I Thessalonians 5:22 does say "abstain from all appearance of evil".
WOW this revelation just hit me so hard. First there was God (in the Old Testament) He walked with Adam, Moses, ect. Then came Jesus(New Testament). Then when Jesus went to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit, who is in the earth today, in every born again believer who asks God for Him, the Comforter, Helper. Of the Holy Spirit Jesus said, Matthew 12:32 Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
If this is truly a move of God and I don't doubt it for a minute and the Holy Spirit is the one at work in the world today, could the people judging this move, not the one's just trying to find there way with questions, but, the one's judging it, be on the verge of and or blaspheming the Holy Spirit?
So what is Todd doing that’s so evil?
Making himself look like he just came from the dark side and relishing every moment of it. It’s either an act or it’s not. And if it’s not ....
“The guy looks Satanic. Shouldn’t he at least avoid that?”
Sir, after reading several posts back & forth I believe it would be wise for you to EXAMINE THE FRUIT of what is happening and not just judge Mr. Bentley because he doesn’t look like someone who would be seen or welcomed in your church. God is much bigger than that.
Remember, man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Actually, the fruits are what raised the controversy in the first place.
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