Sunday, August 31, 2008

Lakeland fiasco discrediting the New Apostolic 'Reformtion'?

With the Lakeland revivalist Todd Bentley having being discredited as he as "an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level, with a female member of his staff", it seems as God as usual as used this event for the greater good of the Church. For years, the Church has been plagued by the heresies of the New Apostolic 'Reformation' spawned by people like "Chief Apostle" C. Peter Wagner and company, and I at one time have been personally sucked into the movement, to the detriment of my spiritual walk with God. The false apostles and prophets of the NAR have had a commissioning service for Bentley previously. Now just months after the commissioning, this fiasco has happened so soon that it has landed them with egg on their faces, and now they are attempting to back-peddle and spin the "prophetic words" they have uttered during that commissioning ceremony itself. As Marsha West points out:

Such notables as C. Peter Wagner, leader of the International Coalition of Apostles, his wife, Doris, Ché Ahn, John Arnott, Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner and several others came to the 10,000-seat tent to support what Todd Bentley and Fresh Fire were doing and to commission him as an evangelist. There was only one problem. The leaders failed to put Bentley through a proper vetting process to find out if he was deserving of their high honor. Turns out he wasn’t. Now they have egg on their collective faces and everyone knows it.

As a result, many in the Charismatic church are furious with them -- but it’s too late. The damage is already done and cannot be undone. What’s worse, thousands of people believed there was a “revival” going on and traveled from all over the globe to be a part of it. Some went hoping to be healed. They weren’t. Now they realize they were duped and have fallen into despair. People are wondering if they are even saved! (For those who doubt their salvation, remember that anyone who comes to faith in the real Jesus Christ is saved.)

And West concludes:

Some good has come out of the “Lakeland Outpouring.” It brought to light the highly unorthodox beliefs of the NAR. Those who are a part of this movement should commit 2 Timothy to memory. Another good thing that came out of it is that the Charismatic church leaders who participated in Todd Bentley’s coronation ceremony have been exposed as false prophets and fools.

The chickens have come home to roost.

Amen to that. God in His sovereign timing has delivered the heretic revivalist Tod Bentley to the devil, and now that he has committed an undeniable moral sin, the "apostles" and "prophets" of the New Apostolic 'Reformation' have came out discredited for endorsing and commissioning such an individual. May it be that this would signal the beginning of the end of this heretical movement. Maranatha!

6 comments:

Steven Long said...

Hmmm! It is interesting, isn't it? Bentley and his cohorts really miss the point of on what true prophecy was supposed to be. They should consider themselves lucky that they do not live in OT Israel. Thanks for the post. Good words.

Daniel C said...

TH:

indeed they should. Just curios, why did you call yourself TH?

Steven Long said...

It's a long story. To be brief, my family & I are missionaries and our former home church pulled their financial support because we are Calvinists. I figured since they think I am a heretic, I might as well fulfill their expectations.

Daniel C said...

I see. That's indeed sad.

vincit omnia veritas said...

Hi Heretic,

Unfortunately, some "Christians" "sink" others to make themselves look better. :(

My former independent fundamentalist baptist church has likewise considered me a heretic ever since I became a calvinist.

Steven Long said...

Vince, sorry to hear that. The whole hypocrisy of the situation is that my former pastor has a Calvinist filling the pulpit when he is away, and this same guy teaches the apprenticeship program to the guys. This speaks volumes and tells me that his problem with me is not theological but personal. My wife and I were really hurt because we served at that church for 11 years. But I can honestly say that I am leaving it in the Lord's hands, although I freely admit that I am fighting bitterness. Thanks for your encouraging words, though. It's good to know I'm not alone.