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(Note from Jan:Pastor
Chris Elrod, Sr. Pastor, Compass Point Church, Lakeland, Florida,
sums up the Todd Bentley scenario. None of us who were sounding
warnings take delight in this closure. Yet we are relieved that
fewer will now be harmed by another "counterfeit revival." - Jan
Markell)
As I was on my way home from South Carolina last Thursday night, I
got "the call." My friend and fellow Lakeland pastor let me know
that the news about Todd Bentley -- the news that had circulated
around Lakeland for weeks -- was finally about to break. For months
it had been rumor with very little hard facts to back it up. Local
church leaders had been hearing things about Todd and Ignited Church
thatcaused us to
question even more the validity of the "revival."
Then the truth began to come out bit by bit, first to Lakeland and
then to the world, and now Todd's wife was in Canada getting help
while he was "floating around" the United States trying to get his
head together. Yes, Todd was legally separating from his wife. Yes,
there was another woman involved. Yes, this was not the first time
Todd had been involved with another woman.
Yes, Todd and Ignited Church had failed to address concerns --
many being voiced by their own denomination and people who support
such outpourings--
about the heresy being preached and displayed at the "revival." Yes,
there was not one single medical document to prove that any healing
had actually taken place.
As the fallout continues and more facts are beginning to emerge
about everyone involved with this mess, I have begun to ask myself
some pretty hard questions. Did I handle this correctly?
When
the first news began to break around here about Todd, healings, and the
revival, I went to see it for myself. In all, I attended four separate
"revival" meetings over a two-month period. I also watched countless
hours of the events on the Internet. I witnessed Todd hollering "BAM" a
lot. I witnessed "verification teams" in the parking lot carefully
choosing people deemed candidates for "healing" while turning many
others down. I watched ushers push ill children away from the stage area
because they had not been preapproved for "healing."
I
heard stories about pixie-dust-spreading angels and conversations with
the Apostles in some abstract heavenly cabin. I saw leg drops, high
kicks, head punches, and every other Wrestlemania cliche under the sun.
I heard anonymous crazy stories about people being healed and others
being raised from the dead. I heard and saw many strange things -- but
nothing that even remotely kept with sound doctrine.Every
biblical-discerning bone in my body showed me that there was nothing
going on at the "revival" that was in keeping with God's Word.
I
began to speak out against the revival, Todd, and Ignited Church, to our
people. Mainly it was through our Journey Groups, one-on-one
conversations, phone calls, and e-mails. However, I was advised by
several other pastors not to speak out against it publicly because "I
might be speaking against something that God is actually doing" (I
wasn't questioning God -- I was questioning Todd). I never addressed it
from the pulpit because our podcast is heard by hundreds of people all
over the world. I never blogged about it because I get a 1,000+ hits on
a normal day.
I
dodged the questions about the revival in recent radio interviews I did
in other parts of the United States. Finally, I refused to answer the
hundreds of e-mails I got about the "revival" from other folks all over
the world. In essence,I
protected my flock from the three-ring circus and hoopla but did nothing
to protect the Body of Christ as a whole.
Hindsight they say is 20/20. It now turns out that all of the rumors
were true. It now turns out that the scriptural discernment was correct.
It now turns out that this was the same craziness without accountability
that the leadership of the sponsoring church is known for.The
three-ring circus has been packed up, the tents have been taken down,
and the moral failure has been announced. Everyone involved is pushing
back, and thousands of hurting people are left questioning God and their
salvation.
The question that I now have to ask myself and the
question that will haunt me for quite a while is this. Did I sit on the
sidelines while the playing field burned? Should have I blogged about it
and spoken out about it publicly -- done more to get the word out to the
rest of the world that this whole thing was about Todd and not God? I
took care of my own house -- but should I have done more to take care of
the entire neighborhood?
Charismatic leader Dutch Sheets also humbled
himself stating, "My assignment from the Lord is to repent on behalf
of the leadership of the Charismatic Body of Christ. We have failed
the Lord and His people in many ways. We must repent if we are to be
trusted in the future. We, the leaders of the Charismatic community,
have operated in an extremely low level of discernment. Frankly, we
often don't even try to discern. We assume a person's credibility
based on gifts, charisma, whether they can prophesy, or work a
miracle."
NOTE FROM JAN: I am glad that these two leaders have
been brave enough to speak out. Let's hope that many other leaders will
follow in their steps and lead their followers to test ALL things and
not just follow every wind of doctrine.
Remember to pray for Todd and his family.
My two hour program on this issue is posted at my"Radio
Archives"for July
19, 2008. Numerous guests spoke into the issue, long before all the
details came out. For podcasting information, clickhere.
I just saw the video of Rick Joyner
announcing that Todd Bentley is back ministering every night at Morningstar
in North Carolina and now they have so-called "revival" manifestations
eerily similar to Lakeland. They also announced that they are streaming
these big meetings every night on their new TV channel - and they are
greatly promoting the whole thing.
Now I am a tongues-speaking Pentecostal myself - but can I ask a simple
question here please? What kind of "spirit" was it operating in the Lakeland
revival - when the leader and main focal-point of the meetings (Todd
Bentley) was having an adulterous affair behind the scenes? Was it truly the
"Holy" Spirit that was anointing something so sensual and unholy? And now
that Todd divorced his wife and married his mistress - are we supposed to
welcome him back and this "anointing" with him? What is going on here? Rick
Joyner has been warned very specifically by high-level ministries not to do
what he is doing now - bringing Todd Bentley back into the limelight. And
yet it seems he does not care. Apparently the "manifestations" are all that
matter.
So what exactly are these 'manifestations' if they are seemingly at home in
such an unholy environment? Are they from God at all? (I am talking here
about the violent "jerking", uncontrollable laughter, bodily contortions,
drunkenness, 'portals', strange "angel" encounters, etc.) Why do we not see
such an 'anointing' in the Bible? Why aren't Jesus or the apostles promoting
these manifestations if they really are true Revival? Why instead do we see
these things all the way through the New Age and Hinduism, etc? Do we not
realize that many false religions have their own version of "laying on of
hands" that results in these very types of manifestations? This 'spirit' is
not in the Bible - but it is all the way through Kundalini-type Hinduism!
Don't you think this should alarm us?
WHAT is KUNDALINI?
If you search for Kundalini and Shakti on the Internet, you will find that
multitudes of people in the New Age and Eastern religions still experience
these powerful manifestations. Often this is with the help of a Guru, who
touches them on the forehead so that they can experience a "Kundalini
Awakening".
As researcher Robert Walker wrote in 1995:
"The meetings which mystic Hindu
gurus hold are called 'Darshan'. At these meetings devotees go forward
to receive spiritual experience from a touch by the open palm of the
hand, often to the forehead, by the guru in what is known as the Shakti
Pat or divine touch. The raising of the spiritual experience is called
raising Kundalini. After a period when the devotee has reached a certain
spiritual elevation they begin to shake, jerk, or hop or squirm
uncontrollably, sometimes breaking into uncontrolled animal noises or
laughter as they reach an ecstatic high. These manifestations are called
'Kriyas'. Devotees sometimes roar like lions and show all kinds of
physical signs during this period. Often devotees move on to higher
states of spiritual consciousness and become inert physically and appear
to slip into an unconsciousness..."
And as the guru Shri Yogănandji
Mahărăja wrote:
"When Your body begins trembling,
hair stands on roots, you laugh or begin to weep without your wishing,
your tongue begins to utter deformed sounds, you are filled with fear or
see frightening visions. the Kundalini Shakti has become active."
In China there is a popular
Kundalini-type movement called 'Qigong'. When a Chinese Qigong spiritual
master spoke in the USA in 1991, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that
many in the crowd began to experience "spontaneous movements". The master
told his audience, "Those who are sensitive might start having some strong
physical sensations - or start laughing or crying. Don't worry. This is
quite normal."
When you see videos of these "kriyas" or other Kundalini-type
manifestations, you would often swear that you are watching a modern
"Impartation"-type church meeting. (And I say this as someone who believes
strongly in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I just don't believe in "alien"
anointings infiltrating the Body of Christ! There is a big difference
between Kundalini and the real Holy Spirit).
Since 1993-4, I believe a foreign spirit has been allowed to invade the
church - first through Rodney Howard-Browne's ministry - then Toronto, then
the Prophetic movement (which I was part of at the time) and on into
Lakeland and many other ministries and movements. I urge people now to "test
the spirits" just as we are commanded to in Scripture. Do not let just
anyone lay hands on you. This is a powerful spirit and it has the backing of
a lot of big-name ministries. In fact, these men and women are the very ones
responsible for allowing it to spread right through the body of Christ. And
one day they will be answerable to God for doing so.
We are specifically warned in the Bible that the Last Days will be a time of
"seducing spirits," false prophets, 'lying signs and wonders,' and that we
always need to watch for "angels of light" masquerading as the real thing.
Why does the modern church not take these warnings seriously? Aren't we
living in the very days that the Bible warns about?
Right now I need to do something that I have never done in such a way
before. I have never before published a list of ministries or movements to
watch out for. But this time I have to. This sickness has gone on long
enough. I urge you to cut yourself off from the following ministries and
their tainted "anointings" my friends. Even though some of these people say
"good things" at times, it is simply not worth having any involvement with
them due to the tainted anointing that they endorse or minister in
themselves. Here is the list-
(1) Todd Bentley.
(2) Rodney Howard Browne - the so-called "Holy Ghost Bartender."
(2) Rick Joyner or anyone connected with Morningstar Ministries.
(3) John Arnott & any connected with TACF (The "Toronto Blessing").
(4) Peter Wagner of the 'New Apostolic Reformation' who claims to be head of
a worldwide network of 'apostles' - who publicly endorsed Lakeland and will
soon preach at Toronto TACF alongside other "false anointing" advocates.
(5) Mike Bickle and IHOP Kansas City (-I lived nearby for over two years -
and know how much they are into all this stuff. Mike Bickle promotes it in
his book).
(6) Bob Jones - the Kansas City prophet whose ministry is utterly tainted by
it all.
(7) Patricia King and anyone else from 'Extreme Prophetic.'
(8) John Crowder & anyone connected with "Sloshfest."
(9) Bill Johnson of Bethel church, Redding - who says some good things but
publicly endorsed Lakeland and promotes the "false anointing" very strongly
behind the scenes.
(10) Heidi & Rolland Baker of IRIS Ministries - who do good work amongst the
poor in Mozambique - but who have also carried and promoted this tainted
anointing for years.
(11) Randy Clark, Wes & Stacey Campbell, and other key figures from the
"Toronto blessing."
(12) The Elijah List - and almost anyone featured on it.
Of course there are a huge number of lesser-known preachers and ministries
who carry or endorse this Kundalini-type "anointing" around the world. But I
have concentrated here on the most influential that I know of. It really is
an enormous issue in the church. I urge anyone who is a supporter of any of
the above ministries to really check them out thoroughly. If you find (as I
have) that they carry or endorse this false Kundalini spirit in the church,
then please stop supporting them in any way - and whatever you do, don't let
them "lay hands" on you!
I am putting everything on the line to be "naming names" like this. But I
believe it is that serious. How on earth did we get to the point where "kriyas"
just like Hinduism are spreading through the church?
Please forward this email to everyone you know, blogs and boards, etc. These
people are trying to "relaunch" this whole thing right now. Help us get this
warning out. To see a video showing "kriyas" and other Kundalini-type
manifestations, please watch the following videos.
I went to Lakeland 3 times. I was
so drawn to go there. I really thought it was of God... I had so many
supernatural experiences - to seeing a mystical Jesus with a third eye,
angels talking to me, visions, being transported. I had one experience
with my daughter being in the room and her experiencing it too. I was
roaring like a lion, had gold dust and many other experiences. The worst
thing that happened to me is that it got sexual. This false Jesus was
approaching me sexually and I fell into it. I still to this day do not
understand how I could have been so deceived. I have been a Christian
since the age of 16. I am 49 now... I fell right in... hook, line and
sinker. When I came home that last visit I became aware it was demonic,
and I was surrounded and covered with demons literally, it was so
horrible, all that I went through, you cannot imagine... I was seeing
demons and being touched sexually and tormentingly constantly.. it has
been 1 1/2 years and I am still battling these demonic spirits. I cry
out to the Lord everyday for total deliverance. It has been horrible. I
have renounced and repented, but still fighting. How do we get free of
this?
SHERIE writes:
I can testify that I was infested
with this foul eastern spirit, the kundalini. I was in a movement from
1992 - 2000 which had close links with the Toronto movement. From 2000 -
2006 I joined a church with links to Bill Johnson. I was desperate for
God to move in my life and change situations and heal hurts and was very
open to ministry - I had many in this movement touch my forehead and
experienced the manifestations you describe - drunkenness, laughing and
crying, shaking. I got dreams and visions and just before I left the
structure (church) I had a vivid dream of a huge python that came
through the back door and attached itself to my car, and also to rooms
in my home. I was very disturbed and sought the Lord for an answer.
It took about 6 months before I was delivered, but God brought a couple
over my path who God had trained and had victory over spiritual
entities. Every time I was in their presence, I would get very anxious,
and they would calmly pray for me and I could feel darkness leaving and
my sanity restored. It was only after 6 months of these episodes, I was
again in their presence and sensed a fight ensue in the Spirit. I was
very anxious and fearful and could feel a huge snake in my spine - I was
rigid and very uncomfortable - It felt as if this thing wanted to
throttle me and rob me of my life. I called out to God and they quietly
prayed - then I asked the Lady to pull this serpent out of my head - it
felt as if it could exit near the top of my crown. She continued to pray
and I got the word "kundalini " in my spirit and just commanded this
thing by its name to go in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. I pled the
blood as it was very frightening, and it left. I felt like a washed out
rag, but I was free!
That was the last lime I had deliverance and my spiritual eyes have
since opened and God has done a mighty work in me outside of the
structure... Afterwards they were amazed and asked me what strange term
I had used and where it came from - I had no idea except that it was God
who gave me knowledge in that situation. Thank you for the info that has
made everything clear to me! Now have confirmation from where I was
infected! May many of your readers heed the call of God to "come out and
sever yourselves" from Babylon and its lies and deception and foul
spirits, while there is time...
LUCY writes:
David Wilkerson also mentioned the
kundalini spirit, and I researched it in late October, after having
attended the Fredericksburg (Virginia) Prayer Furnace at which Che Ahn
ministered. There, I saw many of the manifestations you mention: hopping
and jumping during "worship", falling backward at Che Ahn's touch,
extreme jerkiness in several cases. Very uncomfortable with this, I came
home and watched (my first time ever) videos of Todd Bentley. Needless
to say, I was appalled...
SARAH writes:
I'm just about in tears over all
of this... May and I watched the very first nights of the recent
"outpouring of the Holy Spirit" on the IHOP webstream and boy, did that
turn sour fast. Aside from the singing on the first night, everything
was just messed up. AHH! It's breaking my heart! How many people do we
know and love in KC?! I've watched my beloved siblings laugh
uncontrollably, jerk as though sick, stumble and speak as though drunk,
and "sing in tongues" in complete chaos and without interpretation. I've
raised the issue among friends of being "drunk in the Spirit" and even
though I prove over and over that God is for self-control, which they
agree with, they continue to act like drunken fools! (See Titus 1:8 and
2:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 which compared in the NKJV and NIV relates
self-control with being sober, pointing to the fact that the Holy Spirit
is not one who takes delight in being drunk at all, but in being
sober-minded - fruit of the Spirit, what? Drunkenness is the complete
opposite of being filled with the Holy Spirit! For sober-mindedness is a
filling of Him!; 1 Peter 1:13, 4:7, and 5:8 ...
BRENDA writes:
A very dear friend of mine who has
been my prayer partner for years were lured into the enemy's web of
deception about many of the ministries and manifestations that you spoke
about. After reading and listening to your web broadcasts we had a
powerful prayer session repenting, renouncing, and commanding any spirit
that we had picked up from these false prophets/doctrines of demons,
etc. to go from us in Jesus' name. We broke all kinds of things off of
us. Most of it was deep repentance and renouncing - thank you for
exposing the enemy and his tactics and all the deception that the church
body has fallen deeply into...
ANDREW STROM:
Yes - if you have had "hands laid"
or done "soaking prayer" under any of these kinds of ministries, it is
very important to RENOUNCE (from the very depths of your being in Jesus'
name) and also COMMAND OUT these 'kundalini' spirits or any other
"anointing" that you have received. Remember, you must VIOLENTLY EXPEL
these things in the name of JESUS. Be FREE in His mighty name!
I truly wonder what God is going to do to those ministries who have been
spreading this alien spirit right through the Body of Christ. Truly,
Judgment must begin "at the house of God."
