They’re baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Many years ago, I heard about a "missionary" who started a homeless shelter close to where I was raised in Southwest Virginia. He described the people in my home area as "Appalachian backwash" and boy was I ticked. I'm proud of being from the Appalachian Mountains, but "backwash"?!?! The fight was on. I concealed a tape recorder, went to the shelter, acted like I was interested in his work and secretly recorded our conversation. I was interested in one thing: his beliefs. I asked the "missionary" to recommend some books to me. He recommended several and each book contained Liberation Theology. I studied Liberation Theology in Bible College and I'll spare you the boring details, but generally speaking, this particular theology is about redistributing the wealth to the poor, is rooted in Marxism and allows for violence if necessary (Barack Obama's former pastor of 20+ years, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, adheres to a similar theology called Black Liberation Theology).

 

I was young and very naïve, so I took this information to the head of the missions organization who was sponsoring the “missionary”. Thinking he would be glad that I was being so helpful, I was shocked at his response. He wasn't at all interested in the “missionary's” beliefs. He was only interested in how I obtained the information. I freely admitted that I secretly taped the conversation. I knew that I would not get the truth any other way. So, the issue became my secret recording and he would not even discuss Liberation Theology and the large amount of money that his organization was pouring into a Marxist agenda. He didn't even seem interested when I told him about the liquor I saw the poor people drinking. During our meeting, I also warned him about the violence that can accompany Liberation Theology.

 

It was no shock to me when the local news reported that the “missionary” had entered a denominational gathering with a machete and was making threats to do bad things if the denomination didn't cough up more money for the poor. I knew one of the police officers called to arrest the “missionary” at the gathering and he essentially told me the “missionary” was crazy. I already knew that. To this day, I still haven't received any Thank You cards from the missions organization for my attempts to warn them.

 

This brings me to subject of Todd Bentley. In case you're new to Todd Bentley, he made a big splash on the Christian scene in 2008 with a supposed revival in Lakeland, Florida. Allegedly, people were being healed and raised from the dead. I'm all for people being healed and raised from the dead—when it's actually happening. The problem is, that although many claims were made and despite honest efforts to confirm the miracles, no proof could be found, but that just didn't seem to matter to the multitudes following Bentley. However I wanted to know one thing: Todd's beliefs. With the help of continuous coverage from God TV, the Internet, and Bill Fawcett, a friend who also cares deeply about sound doctrine, we discovered that Bentley's beliefs include a potpourri of weird things. Among other things, we discovered the Latter Rain Heresy, Dominionism and Manifested Sons of God. After you finish reading this blog, I invite you to read Bill Fawcett's carefully researched article on Bentley's beliefs that he wrote for my blog back in 2008 and that I've recently re-posted.

 

When I was blogging about Todd Bentley back in 2008, I had four pastors ask me not to talk about this subject from their pulpits. Over the years, I have observed that a spiritual form of Political Correctness has taken hold in the Body of Christ. Two of the pastors agreed with me, but they didn't want to “offend“or “upset” members of their flock who were watching Bentley's circus night after night. So much for guarding the sheep. The other two pastors were into Bentley's movement however and out of respect for their wishes, I said nothing to their congregations. I couldn't believe that these pastors, and many more that I know, were falling for the weirdness coming out of Lakeland. More shocking to me were all of the multiplied thousands around the world who followed Bentley like robots. It was scaring me. Then, it dawned on me. My anchor has always been the inerrancy and authority of Scripture and that's what was getting me into trouble with many pastors and people I once thought of as Biblically sound. The temptation of course is to be quiet so that I don't lose friends as well as places to preach. It was an easy temptation to resist. God has always been in charge of my relationships and especially my schedule. I need no other promoter for our ministry.

 

According to the big charismatic heavy weights, Bentley had been sent by God to usher in the greatest revival in modern history. There was a coronation for Todd Bentley complete with Che Ahn putting a ring on Todd's only finger that didn't have already have one. Other charismatic heavy hitters coronating Bentley included Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner, John Arnott, Stephen Strader, Karl Strader, Jeff Beacham, and Peter Wagner. Chuck Pierce even sent in a special new “Be Revived” oil from Africa for the anointing ceremony. Didn't these men and women of God ask Todd about his beliefs? There is an explanation as to how leaders and followers can be so deceived. It is obvious they need to once again elevate the only reliable source of divine truth, the Bible, back to the top of priority. I'll get them started…

 

2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV) For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

 

1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV) The Spirit says that in the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

 

Matthew 24:24 (NIV) For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

 

Beliefs are important. Very important. You should know what you believe…

 

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

 

I always want to know what people believe. Why? It tells me a lot about their character and most importantly, which god they are serving. It's very important to know if they're into Liberation Theology, Latter Rain, Manifested Sons of God, Joel's Army, and the like. During the supposed Lakeland Revival, we found out later that Todd Bentley was having an affair and drinking excessively. How did all of the charismatic prophets miss this? I can understand one or two missing it but all of them? Perhaps they are not really prophets or perhaps they turned a blind eye to save face. What we do know is that Todd has divorced and remarried and Rick Joyner is in the process of restoring him. My issue is not about past sins that have been forgiven. I have plenty of those myself. My issue is with current character and doctrine and that does matter to God and it should matter to everyone. As for restoring Todd, Rick Joyner is restoring heresy.