Same Old Scam? (TODD BENTLEY LAKELAND REVIVAL)

World Magazine ^ | June 2008 | Rusty Leonard and Warren Cole Smith

[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.

[MsLady]

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.

[Uncle Chip]

No I'm saying that angels can be women. Many are saying that the bible never talks about female angels.

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".

[TommyDale]

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.

[TommyDale]

And this guy is the epitome of Jesus FREAK.

[Uncle Chip]

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....

But I Thessalonians 5:22 does say "abstain from all appearance of evil".

[MsLady]

Geez, I suppose you could say that about Jesus. The religious leaders were none to thrilled with Him either.

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?

[MsLady]

So what is Todd doing that’s so evil?

[Uncle Chip]

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 ....

[Lions Gate]

“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).

[TommyDale]

Actually, the fruits are what raised the controversy in the first place.

[TommyDale]

His theology doesn’t line up 100% with the Bible. He is off base, but the appearance thing is enough for me to want to avoid him and his church.

[Lions Gate]

Where is his theology off base?

[TrishaSC]

And it appears that he tends to get very violent and mean messages from the “Holy Ghost”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K8XjObzfXM

I’ve never seen this guy before..is this part of his shtick or are these stories true? Has he hit and kicked people in the process of “healing” them? I clicked on this thread because it just so happens I dled an online sermon on him yesterday.

[TommyDale]

See post #53 for a link. People who do stuff like this in the name of God are creating confusion, and God is NOT the author of confusion. Also, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, not a harsh force.

[MsLady]

If you've ever read any of the older revivals. Smith Wigglesworth did the same thing and there were tons of people healed, saved and set free. In fact someone asked him once why he hit people and he said, I don't hit people, I'm hitting the devil.

I've watched the revival for about the past 50 days give or take a day or two, I've only seen Todd do this about half a dozen times.

Weather that part is of God, only God and Todd know.

No one church is perfect, no one person is perfect and there isn't a person alive on earth today that has the whole thing down 100%. 2 Corinthans 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.

There is growth in the American church today. The outpouring is a big part of that. What I see are those that want to stay the same, out of fear of doing something wrong, or fear of judgment from others. And those that want to grow in the Lord and are willing to step out and make some mistakes in order to gain a closer relationship with God and gain more for His Kingdom.

It reminds me very much of the story of the three servants and the talents. The wicked servant hide his talent and gained nothing. While the other two servants took there talents and took a risk to gain more for there masters Kingdom.

[raynearhood]

Disclaimer: I am not defending Todd Bentley or his "ministry!"

Explain to me how you separate yourself from the world. Is it covering and/or getting rid of the tattoos? Meaning then, that the tattoos are what is worldly? Is it the face piercing, or is it the dress? What about one's appearance makes one holy (meaning separate)?

Are church leaders to dress a certain way? A socially acceptable way? Does their appearance separate them from the things of this world? Like this guy?


Brother, I understand that you would be unable to attend a church where the preacher was tattooed and/or pierced. That's fine. However, having issue with someone's appearance does not make them any more or less holy. Please try to not judge those of us who have no issue with it, or with tattoos in general.

The separation from the world is that we view everything differently than the world. We understand that we are sinful and we give all credit for our life and salvation to God. We are of renewed mind and spirit by the Holy Spirit through Christ who saves us.

[TommyDale]

Sorry, if God cleans you on the inside, you should want to clean yourself on the outside.

[raynearhood]

So then, what is clean on the outside?

Beyond your opinion, Biblical references, please.

[MsLady]

Matthew 23:25 25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

[psalm126]

Just what spirit in you gives you these bad vibes?
What fruit filled ministry gives you the authority to be
Todd’s spiritual judge? Have you been to the leper colonies
and laid hands on the lepers? Have you been spending 3 hours a day on your face seeking God’s will for the Lakeland Outpouring? Have you been giving entire offerings to Darfur?
Did you know the ATM machine was right next to the food booths outside and across the street from the tent? Are people being saved, healed and blessed by the thousands through your critical spirit? Do people come to see you and shout, sing and dance about the awesomeness of Jesus for 4-6 hours at a time? Just checking :-)