More Bentley

Those regular readers of "way-out-west" will know that I have been trying to keep a generous but critical eye on the Florida goings-on... some wonder why I bother, but I have for reasons of community and fellowship... anyway I do/have tried to be open even though as someone who experienced the charismatic renewal of the 80s and early 90's from "inside" as it where I am naturally very sceptical.  Recently there have been several recurring themes in Bentley's monologues that have deeply disturbed me... here they are...

• Bentley seems to see himself as the key to revival... even to heaven!  He refers to the "Witches and Warlocks" gathering with the Devil to block the gates of heaven and to block the "revival"... the only way this can be prevented is through Todd Bentley's preaching the supernatural and Angels... it  seems it is Todd who "opens Heaven" and allows the Angels to come out, without Todd God's work will be blocked!
• Bentley has begun to associate himself with the prophecies of the Kingly anointing and the "Anointed One" who is given dominion over the world in Psalm 2... a messianic prophecy as far as I understand.
• Recently (at his commissioning by leaders of the "prophetic" movement), he said “Do you love me… Do you really love me? are you sure? how much do you love me..? This is your opportunity to show me, ‘I love you Todd’” strangely reminiscent of Jesus' words to Peter in John 21...  cringe-worthy and utterly irrelevant at the very least!
• Continued and indeed increased talk of "seeding the revival" by paying into Todd Bentley's ministry (even encouraging people to use credit cards!)
• Bentley seems to say we should "defend" the Gospel through Scripture, but not the way God works... saying "To apply doctrine to the response of God in our lives is wrong."  and "I don't believe we're to defend divine manifestations of God, because they are proof within themselves of the Gospel"  so neither Scripture or Tradition "Church history should never be used as a blueprint for experiences" can be used for discernment, we should let the "miracles" speak for themselves - however he goes on to contradict himself by saying "Signs, wonders, and miracles should be proof of the Gospel. However, Jesus said there would be false signs and wonders in the last days that were not done by Him (Matt. 7:21-23). Of this, I am well aware. Some people may do these things in His name and yet never really have a relationship of love and fellowship with Jesus."

Bentley seems very careful in what he puts on his web site, but even these chosen words bother me... his spoken words do sometimes paint a more extreme position, one which has Bentley as the key to God's work even a pseudo-messiah!  and whilst he acknowledges that there will be/are false prophets and false "signs and wonders" done in Jesus name, we shouldn't worry that this might apply to him and we shouldn't test what he does against scripture or tradition rather we should just accept the Florida "outpouring" as Godly because he tells us so!?

Incidentally, he also seems to have begun to reference the discredited Kansas City "prophet" Bob Jones in his talks again, and having deleted any connection to Bob Jones' "Angel Emma" from his web-site he seems gone back to original story now talking about "the angel called "Emma," who I described as having mother-like nurturing qualities" saying, "Emma appeared to me in angelic form appearing feminine."

Technorati Tags: Bible: Church: Florida: puppy: Todd Bentley

Comments

[Amanda]

I was really interested to read this. I've had people ask me what I think about what's going on there, everyone from those who have no doubts to those who have no belief. I find it intriguing to read well-informed opinions of the goings-on.

[Chairos Seeker]

The apparently narcissistic quotation is taken out of context. In context, it does not parallel John 21. Moreover, in context, most of the occurrences of the word "me" refer to Todd's pastor rather than Todd.

Here is my transcription of Todd's remarks, from the June 23 Lakeland episode, beginning at about 22:19:24 EST:

Quote:

And so I want to give everybody, and especially our guests and leaders, an opportunity to say, "Todd, we love you. We stand with you and here's our offering."

You know my pastor said to me one time. I went to this church. He said, "Todd, do you really love me?" I said, "I love you." He said, "Todd, do you really love me?" I said, "I love you." He goes, "How come you don't bless us?" I said, "What do you mean?" He said,"You've been in our church, you know, all these months and you've never given us an offering and you call me your spiritual father." And I said, "Really, I can't just come and get blessed and . . . ? I . . . .You mean you want me to tithe?" I said, "What's tithing?" I didn't even know--we're not asking for your tithe. But I didn't even understand what tithing, let alone offerings, were. And he said, "I've been mentoring you for six months and I don't think you've ever given one offering in the church." He said, "That doesn't mean I don't love you and that doesn't mean that you don't love me. But if you really love me it'd be great if you could show me some support once in a while." How many of you love what God's doing? How many of you love what God's doing? So how about "show me" tonight? We love--we're behind you, Todd. We're behind what God is doing. We want to bless you in the offering. You're blessing the Kingdom. So can I have all my ushers come?

End quote.

There is much to rightly criticize in this episode, such as Todd's promise that audience members will receive impartation in proportion to their financial gifts. But it's not necessary or appropriate to quote Todd out of context.