It is nearly three months since we heard news of a a "Revival" breaking out in the town of Lakeland, Florida, under the ministry of a young Canadian by the name of Todd Bentley. With the marvels of the modern media, not only news reports, but actual videos of the meetings were instantly available around the globe. Right from the beginning there were reports of extraordinary healings at the meetings, and also among people listening to, or watching the meetings in their homes.
What originally began as a 7-day crusade has now run continuously, twice a day, seven days a week, for over 80 days. And there is no end in sight. As news of what was happening began to spread, people flocked to Lakeland from all over the States, and from all around the world. Numbers of these, including some I know from Australia, have reported that something of the ‘Revival’ blessing has returned with them. Not only Christian media, but also secular news outlets have reported on this phenomenon.
Almost as soon as the good reports began to circulate, so too did the negative attacks, focused especially on the strange appearance, and some of the unusual comments of Todd Bentley. Such attacks are common for any new move of God. I have just been reading in Mark 3:20-30 where Jesus was regarded as “out of his mind” by his family, and ‘demon possessed’ by the Jewish theologians. I am old enough to remember the tremendous criticism of Billy Graham by respected Church leaders when he first came to Sydney in 1959!
However, some of the criticisms of Todd raise serious issues, and I have been asked by several of the congregation for my response. There is not enough space here to go into any detail and I have already circulated a response by another theologian, and also a lengthy reply by Todd himself. You can access these at http://www.freshfire.ca/UserFiles/File/drGreg_biblicalperspective2008.pdf and http://www.freshfire.ca/index.php?Id=1059&pid=993. I will restrict my comments to just four important points.
1. Claims of Healings, etc. While Todd himself acknowledges that some of the claimed healings may not last, there has been concerted effort to get medical verification, and many have passed that test. This is true also for the 16-18 resurrections that have been reported as a flow-on from the meetings. Sid Roth, who heads a ministry to Jews said this last week: “Historically, revivals are controversial. The Florida Outpouring with Todd Bentley is no exception. But this I know, I have never in my life seen so many people receive verified miracles. I have never seen so many people get so hungry for God. And every night, many are saved.”
2. Todd’s Appearance. Having attended a Conference on the Gold Coast where Todd was the speaker I can testify that his appearance is very unusual, and some would consider it bizarre. But, nowhere in Scripture is it required that God’s ministers look nice. In fact, Is 52:14 would suggest the very opposite!
3. Todd’s Teaching. Some have been upset by Todd’s claim to have had encounters with angels, especially one he identified as “Emma.” He also claims to have had a visit to heaven, where he spoke with the apostle Paul. In his reply, mentioned above, he points out that he is simply reporting on his experience, not laying down some new doctrine. Many other Christians through history have claimed similar experiences. The important thing is that Todd’s overarching emphasis is on Jesus, and his great passion is to see Jesus glorified.
4. Support for the New Move. At the meeting in Lakeland last Monday night there was a very significant gathering of senior leaders of powerful moves of God around the world today, including John Arnott, Bill Johnson, Che Ahn and Rick Joyner. These were led by C. Peter Wagner, who is widely recognized across the whole church for his Apostolic authority. These leaders not only affirmed Todd Bentley’s ministry, they prophesied even greater levels of ministry to come!
From all that I have seen and heard so far, I have no doubt that God is powerfully at work in Lakeland, and beyond. I hope and pray that something of this will touch us ‘Down Under.’
John Davies