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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Revival Report

This was posted on Theology Today under the Title, Todd Bentley and the Florida Outpouring Part 6. It's a comment by someone who has spent lots of time at the services. \o/



I have attended this revival for many weeks. In fact, I have been there since the second night of Todd’s meetings (4/2/08), long before this became “revival”. Initially, I was so excited to see God move in such a mighty way. I was encouraging my pastor, several other pastors that I know, many friends and family members to “come and see what God is doing.” There were few times when I was uncomfortable with what was happening in the meetings, but I figured that I was just being critical and reminded myself that God’s ways are not my ways. I continued to support this revival, even after I heard my own pastor voice his concerns. I was quite vocal about these misgivings others had. I continued to defend Todd, God, etc., etc.

However, as time as passed, I have become increasing concerned about several things. First of all, I have worked in the medical field for over 20 years (in radiology). I have noticed that there have only been a very few “documented” miracles in comparison to the numbers that have claimed miracles. I am aware of at least two claims of healing that I believe to have possibly been real. There was the child with the elbow fracture and her x-rays. However, I would like to know the dates between the first set of x-rays and the 2nd, as healing, especially with very young children can be quite quick…especially if it was very mild fracture. Also, I would love to see the type of fracture, position, and the view (AP, lateral, etc.) of the second set of films. (Sometimes a particular view will not show the fracture that is actually there.) There was also a young man who testified one night (before TV/internet) about being healed from Hepatitis C, with the lab work to confirm. Again, with false positive/negatives that can happen with labs. I’d love to see what his actual lab values were and see a retesting to confirm. Although I do believe that this individual could very well have been healed, but because of how I’ve seen other things handled in this revival, I would just like to see more documentation.

Much of the “miracles” that I have seen over the weeks have been based more on what people believe that have happened, more than medically documented miracles. Many times over I have seen people with metal rods in their spine be “healed”. Todd will ask, what couldn’t you do, and usually has them bend over. This act of bending over is declared as a miracle. It is not. Most folks with metal rods in their back or neck CAN bend over, as these rods (Harrington rods) very seldom go the entire length of the spine. In fact, I have metal plates/screws in my neck and can bend my head from side to side and front to back. I remember one night when a woman with bulging discs in her neck came up to declare her healing. Todd felt along her spine and said “I don’t feel any bulging discs in your neck”, and then announced she had been healed. A disc bulge is something that you will NOT detected by running your hand up and down the spine. It is not something that can be physically palpated. Only imaging with MRI or CT would show the presence of disc bulges and if they were compressing nerve roots or affecting the spinal cord/spinal canal. I saw where this declaration of healing caused the room the go wild. My feeling is that if this is truly a bonafied healing…PRAISE GOD! But let’s confirm these miracles. That is what the world really needs to see! But alas, very few healings are actually being confirmed.

Secondly, my concern is the focus that has been placed on Angels, visitations, manifestations, etc. Although Jesus is mentioned throughout the night, though an altar call is given… far more emphasis is being placed on these other things than is actually being given to the Jesus and him crucified (as Paul would say). The cross, the resurrection, holiness, repentance, dying to the flesh, etc., are merely glossed over and not really preached. What is being given more time, more emphasis are these other “experiences”.

The atmosphere here has changed from the very first meetings…at least it seems to me. And as I said earlier, I have been at revival since April 3rd…the 2nd night Todd was here in Lakeland. Something is wrong and I am concerned. Somehow the gospel that saves and keeps is not being preached as it should. Jesus…not even the Holy Spirit… is to be focus. In the Gospel of John, it says the when the comforter (Holy Spirit) would come, it would not speak of himself, but of Jesus. My concern is growing. I think we need to really pray and ask for discernment. I’m all for revival. I am all for miracles. But is there another Jesus, another gospel that is being preached here?

\o/ My answer, as a person living in Lakeland, is yes.\o/

2 comments:

Unknown said...

This person writes ..... "What is being given more time, more emphasis are these other experiences .... I think we need to really pray and ask for discernment." .... This writers observation that MORE EMPHASIS is being given to ANGELS and EPERIENCES IS the answer ... no need to pray. The HEALING ANGEL is given credit for giving Todd ACCURATE WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE .... this is heresy.....it is the HOLY SPIRIT who gives the Word of Knowledge accordg to 1 Cor 12. .... no need to ASK GOD if the 'revival' is false .... the doctrine of the 'revival' tells us it is not..... http://lakelandquotes.christianblogsites.com/blog/post/2008/06/28/more-healing-angels

Dr. Thomas Marino said...

Correct leeann....The Scriptures are very clear on the matter. And we've seen it all before....this is nothing new, just a replay of the previous "revivals". If you'll study the true revivals of old, you'll find that SIN, REPENTANCE and FORGIVENESS were preached in the Name of Jesus, with signs following. What signs? People could not even stand for their own CONVICTION relative to sin and the lost state of man. (no one was blown over...they were just on their faces). It certainly was not a party atmosphere. Bar rooms closed their doors for lack of drinkers....People couldn't walk down the streets in some cities due to the convicting power of God covering them....in other words, the awesome nature and Person of God was revealed in such a way that people turned from SIN, and there was a true revival, resulting in the salvation of countless hundreds of thousands of people. Money was not an issue either. No one "gave to get" anything. We are taught in the Word that the "Anointing" is IN us, remains in us, and teaches us of all things.......you don't have to run somewhere to "get it"....Ten different anointings are not found in the Word, and never taught by Christ or the Apostles. Just One....The Holy Spirit in us, presenting to us the Power to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus. Is there more to it? Yes. God will bestow gifts, according to His own Will...and they're not called the "anointing"...they're gifts. Ask and receive. But do NOT think you need to run after the crowds to get them.....ASK, and believe. Seek and find. Honestly....Gold fillings, kicking people in the teeth, punching them.....have we not seen this all before, and worse? Is this not part of why the world ridicules the Church? Do what the BIBLE commands you to do.... Is anyone sick? Let them call the Elders of the Church to anoint them with oil, and offer up a prayer of faith for their healing...and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well, the Lord Himself will raise them up....and if they have sinned, they will be forgiven." Is the Word not good enough for you? You don't trust God, so you need to go get kicked?

May God have mercy....Lord, open our eyes to Your great wisdom....open our hearts to receive Your Word and the simplicity of Christ, not seeking You among the masses, but in our own Churches where You promised us that you'd be walking in our midst. Amen and Amen