Todd Bentley.

041508 cs ignited2 life I have to admit, I don’t know what to think about Todd Bentley.

If you’re wondering who that is, you can find the Bentley’s website here and the most recent news regarding Bentley here. Long story short, he’s a faith-healer evangelist based out of Lakeland, Fl., and has just recently separated from his wife. The separation seemed fairly ambiguous at first, but “new details” have come out in the last few days (as it seems they most often do in these situations). From Bentley’s website:

“We wish to acknowledge… that since our last statement from the Fresh Fire Board of Directors, we have discovered new information revealing that Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff. In light of this new information and in consultation with his leaders and advisors, Todd Bentley has agreed to step down from his position on the Board of Directors and to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life.”

Youtube is aflame with videos from Bentley’s revival meetings. Videos that include Bentley being “drunk in the Spirit,” Bentley kneeing a cancer victim in the gut, and Bentley describing how the Lord told him to “leg drop” a pastor of a church he was visiting. (Full disclosure: Even as I wrote the above sentence, I found myself thinking, “this is absolutely insane. How did we get to this place as Christians where we can attach “…because the Lord told me to” to just about anything and call it legit?)

In my judgment of this situation, I can not question whether or not Bentley loves God and is a follower of Jesus. That is not a call I am allowed to make, nor qualified to do so. What I can do (and what others can do while observing) is evaluate the fruit that comes from Bentley’s life and ministry. A broken marriage, a broken ministry and a giant smear across the face of an already limping Christian body does not sound like any fruit that I would be willing to consume.

I find myself asking, “Why do people do stuff like this?” How is it that someone like Bentley can have such a different view on the teachings and life of Jesus, so different than mine that they almost seem to be opposing? Or even contrary? What do I do with that?

Frankly, this whole situation is embarrassing. Watching Todd Bentley embarrasses me. It embarrasses me because I know that he is the only Christian exposure that some people will ever have in their lives and because of that, they will write Jesus off. Is it right? No, but it’s reality.

I’ll close this post with some words on this Bentley situation from Notes From Off-Center:

Regardless of what one thinks about Bentley’s ‘revival’ — and just so there is no confusion: we think it is an unbiblical, unchristian, an inexcusable display of sensuality vs. Scripture — fact remains that God uses flawed people. If that were not so, there would be no Christian in ministry anywhere.

That said, along with everything else that has been said about this so-called revival, this latest revelation underscores the severe lack of spiritual discernment on the part of Todd Bentley, his staff, the spiritual ‘leaders’ who enabled him, and the the tens of thousands of Christians who keep chasing after false teachers, pretend ‘apostles’ and ‘prophets,’ fake ‘revivals’ and so on.

Mind you, Bentley and his cohorts are people who claim to be visited by angels, talk about their trips to heaven and their conversations with the apostle Paul, and pepper their language with the word ‘prophetic’ — pretending to speak the very words of God into people’s lives and situations.

We have referred to this whole charade — not just Bentley’s show but the entire cast of ‘New Apostolic’ leaders — as a Christian Role-Playing Game that brings nothing but spiritual tragedy.

Our prayer is that these events will act as a wake-up call for many Christians — Todd Bentley included — caught up in chasing after experience.

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Contributor: Justin Wise

I am a religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with my wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Find more here: JustinWise.me
  • Daniel
    here’s some truth from behind the scenes in Abbotsford. Jessa first of all was an intern in the fall 08 cycle. She never applied for it Todd invited her into the internship. Even after a board member severly opposed it. Later Todd invited her and another intern to live in his house during the internship, and after the internship as a live in nanny.

    At the same time the Bellingham, Washington church was being established so fresh fire could get a legal foot hold in America. This is evident by the lack and the sheer refusal to work with the local churches. It was just for the papers not the church.

    In January 2009 2 members of the board confronted Todd about Jessa, and that it was wrong and they couldn’t stand by him about it. They where “relieved” of their position for doing so. This shouldn’t be surprising as another member of FFM was faceed with the same threat, after he caught Todd with another woman in England (this is what the dark night of the soul was actually about), the FFM member was forced to either work for FFM outside of North America or be fired. Jessa is woman number 4 that Todd has cheated on Shonnah with.

    Todd isn’t 100% to blame just 80% the rest of the blame falls on those board members and pastors that refused to confront Todd on his infidelities. One in particular had the mind set that if Todd does it, it’s okay even if it isn’t for others. Others refused to confront because they didn’t want to loose their jobs (like many have over the years)

    Even in Lakeland which I personally think was a two edged work of God, it was a blessing to the locals who have prayed for God to move. And the other edge was a judgement on Todd, in total over the top Todd style. During the highet of revival there was excessive drinking, slasher flicks, and other things I wont get into now with Todd and his inner circle (yes men). There was infighting with the leaders on stage, and the interns where just slaves with ministry badges. Or the fact that all the money collected for the orphans and for sudan never made it to them, it was instead used to pay for the buildings/land for the revival.

    Even after Lakeland fell apart, and the news finally became public, Todd never returned home to Abbotsford. He remained in America (illegally) in California, then a breif stop in Reno for their quickey divorce rules. Then it was off to Rick Joyner and his marriage with Jessa

    These words are not made up, this is a summary of many conversations I have had with former FFM employees, board members and former interns. I just can’t stand by and see Todd get away with this for a fourth time. A man who has turned his back on his wife and children once again. yet will be received by the masses as THE man of God.
  • dwayne
    What was the percentage ratio of fault again?
    You sure crucified him didnt you Daniel?
    Your actions are so much cleaner huh?
    dwayne
  • dwayne
    What is and what has happened in Todds life is a shame for sure.
    Todd is relatively a young man who rose in the Christian circles very fast. We are all a work in progress and it is unfortunate that the world should all be looking on him now. Fortunatly for me some of my crap was never seen on my way to sanctification. The impotant thing to know is that What is done in our human realm and What is done in the spiritual realm are on two entirely different plains. And I dont believe that one should not be stopped because of the other. I am one who has attended a couple of the Fresh Fire revival meetings in Abbotsford Canada and was greatly blessed in Spirit. I believe that Todd is one of todays pioneers in the things of the Spirit and there are many who got what he has been doing. The things of God will not be stopped in spite of who may fall or the opinions of skeptics. We are but flys under Gods hand and what has been gained will bear good fruit in the end. I feel that if the Christian church stayed focused on the Spiritual and not on the man The Kingdom of God would reign more supreme on the earth. There is a far bigger picture than we know. I would advise anyone to keep there faith simple but see the hieghts that Todd reached in his teaching and in the spiritual matters. I dont think that we will go wrong there.
    Even though I was asked to leave one of your revival meetings unfairly by one of your partners Todd, I say keep going man as I know you will. God is merciful even if we are not sometimes. dwayne
  • earl barnhart
    todd was emotional hype,its not genuine holy spirit,

    is this not obvious?
    He fell,he sowed he rept.
    What does this mean to the Almighty,nothing,He still IS
    ALMIGHTY,worthy of all worship holy God.
  • Bryan Haynes
    Religion needs to die people. Its all about JESUS!!!! Remember, Who crucified Jesus? Religious people did. Lakeland is a true move of God. I went there for 3 nights in May. All you out there that are critizing the outporing, did you go to Lakeland? Didnt think so!!!! Quit belly aching and shut up and go after the heart of God. Oh by the way I am an envangelist. Can I come to your city and preach the Gospel? Im tired of Religion, I want Jesus!!!!!!! Another thing has anybody out there never sined? Do you think bad thouhts in your mind? We need to look at our own hearts,and quit judging one another. Quit being scared of God, he wants to touch his people in a mighty way. Evangelist Bryan Haynes
  • Roger Eastman
    You sound exactly like the pompus religious leaders talking about Jesus As far as the church leaders allowing him, who are they to stop him, what do they have to offer anyone except professional religiousity I have sat under, and among THEM for years with their "forms of Godliness" and no love or power Pastor Roger A. Eastman
  • Ken Everett
    I am appalled at the indecent haste with which the leading ‘apostles’ and ‘prophets’ of the modern church lined up to speak ‘honour’ and ‘glory’ and ‘money, money, money’ over the ministry of Todd Bentley. I believe that God, Who is not mocked, allowed the subsequent revelations and humiliations to take place. And now, the politicking starts - it all stinks to high heaven.
    Shame on you Todd Bentley - not for your human weaknesses, but for splitting the church and making a mockery of the Holiness of God.
    Shame on you church leaders, who instead of stopping this charade, have now made yourselves as culpable as Bentley for the damage that has been done.
    Repent publicly; humble yourselves publicly and the God of Grace will have mercy.
  • Gladstone Bhasme
    It's my observation that ALL human beings have something to hide!
    We are all sinners - even the ones who are quick to point an accusing finger at someone else - and such accusers are only disciples of Satan - the Chief Accuser.
    Such accusers are far more clever than the accused in hiding their own sins.
    Only the Perfect should 'throw stones'!!!!!
    I am a follower of Jesus Christ and have a deep desire to become more and more like Christ - but I find myself like Paul in the Bible "doing things I don't want to do or not doing things I want to do".
    When I sincerely confess my sins He is faithful and just to forgive my sins!!
    Only Christ in us makes us stand totally righteous before God our Father.
    I certainly DO NOT SUPPORT sin of any kind and I don’t understand everything that folks like Todd Bentley do - but I love Todd Bentley and all those accused - because the work that God has started in them (and in me) HE WILL COMPLETE in due course - even if we seem imperfect for a while!!
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