J. Lee Grady - Same Song 2nd Verse
In his latest column for Charisma Magazine,
editor J. Lee Grady bemoans the implosion of the so called Lakeland revival.
Life After Lakeland:
Sorting Out the Confusion
It was not supposed to end like
this.
Evangelist Todd Bentley had heralded the Lakeland revival as the greatest
Pentecostal outpouring since Azusa Street. From his stage in a gigantic tent in
Florida, Bentley preached to thousands, bringing many of them to the stage for
prayer. Many claimed to be healed of deafness, blindness, heart problems,
depression and dozens of other conditions in the Lakeland services, which ran
for more than 100 consecutive nights. Bentley announced confidently that dozens
of people had been raised from the dead during the revival.
But this week, a few days after the Canadian preacher announced the end of his
visits to Lakeland, he told his staff that his marriage is ending. Without
blaming the pace of the revival for Bentley’s personal problems, his board
released a public statement saying that he and his wife, Shonnah, are
separating. The news shocked Bentley’s adoring fans and saddened those who have
questioned his credibility since the Lakeland movement erupted in early April.
Grady goes on to claim he is disappointed and
angry over this fiasco and asks a few questions about how this could have
happened.
Why did so many people flock to
Lakeland from around the world to rally behind an evangelist who had serious
credibility issues from the beginning?
Gee I don't know Lee. Do you think it could have been because of puff pieces in the Christian
media like this:
A Holy Ghost Outbreak in Florida by J. Lee Grady 4-23-08
Grady and his employer shamelessly promoted this abomination from the beginning.
That column was an outright endorsement of Todd Bentley and his unscriptural
methods. Now Grady claims Bentley had "serious credibility issues from
the beginning". But when he wrote his April 23rd column, there were no
warnings, no cautions, no hard questions asked. The only thing they seemed
unsure of was whether or not this thing was going to be as as big as Toronto.
Here's another question about Lakeland that needs to be answered according to
Grady:
Why didn’t anyone in Lakeland denounce the
favorable comments Bentley made about William Branham?
Maybe it's because the Charismatic
movement (and Charisma magazine) has a long history of promoting preachers who
hold Branham in great esteem. Men like Benny Hinn, Rod Parsley, Oral Roberts and
other Charisma cover-boys have often held up Branham as one of the great
prophets of yesteryear. Why would you be surprised that many Charismatics accept
the unscriptural practices and teachings of Branham when you yourself accept the
same claptrap from men like Todd Bentley
How about this gem:
Why did God TV tell people that “any
criticism of Todd Bentley is demonic”? .......This ridiculous statement was actually
made on one of God TV’s pre-shows. In fact, the network’s hosts also warned
listeners that if they listened to criticism of Bentley, they could lose their
healings.
I have a question Lee. Why are you just now denouncing this "ridiculous
statement"? This just one of many ridiculous statements made by the producers
and directors of GodTV. How about the 'prophecy' by GodTV founder Wendy
Alec in which she claimed that Jesus was going to physically appear at the revival. Did that
ridiculous statement even raise a question in your mind about Alec, GodtV,
Bentley, or your own endorsement of this event.
Finally we have this incisive question:
Why did a group of respected ministers lay
hands on Bentley on June 23 and publicly ordain him? Did they know of his
personal problems?.......I trust that Wagner, Ahn, Johnson and Arnott didn’t
know of Bentley’s problems before they ordained him.
Respected ministers? Respected by whom?
C. Peter Wagner, Che Ahn, John Arnott and the like have been frequent targets of
discernment ministries. They are respected only by people like Grady
who fail to question even the most blatant false teaching.
If Grady wants to believe they didn't know about Bentley's 'unorthodox'
practices or bizarre lifestyle he is naive in the extreme. How could they not
have known, particularly since Grady and Charisma had written all about Bentleys
tattoos, his conversations with angels, even his extreme physical violence against
those seeking prayer. If they didn't know, how can these men be 'respected
ministers' since they were willing to endorse this abomination without first knowing what it was all about. Come on Lee, surely you are smarter than that.
You don't really believe these guys didn't know do you?
The answer is simple. The men who endorsed Bentley along with GodTV, Charisma
magazine and all the other promoters of this abomination share in the evil that
this thing has wrought. They knew what Bentley was doing and they thought it was
all fine and dandy. They were willing to ordain him because they believe and
teach the same things he believes and teaches. He justified their own perverted
view of scripture.
After reading this column I was immediately
reminded of another column written by Grady in 2006 that asked some amazingly
similar questions:
What Happened to Brownsville's Fire?
The Florida church that hosted the
Brownsville revival has dwindled to a few hundred people. Did it have to end
this way? .... I can’t be the judge of what brought Brownsville’s demise. But we
must face the facts and learn some lessons, or we will repeat the scenario next
time.
Some people it seems never learn. Now I
have some questions for you Lee:
What does the scripture mean when it says:
2Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be
false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Is it possible that Todd Bentley and those
like him fit this scripture to a tee. Could it be that Bentley is one of those
who have secretly brought in damnable heresies (like talking to female angels
and kicking people in the face for healing). Could he be one who denies
(contradicts) the teaching of the Lord and brings upon himself swift
destruction?
Why would the apostle Paul give this warning to Gods people?
Acts 2:29-30
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among
you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise,
speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them
Mr. Grady, do you think this warning has any application for today or was it only for the 1st century believers. Do you believe some of the people you and your employer have promoted over the years could fall into the category of grievous wolves who are drawing away disciples unto themselves?
Does this scripture have any meaning for
today's church?
2John 1:10-11
If there come any unto you, and bring
not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Is the endorsement of false teachers essentially the same as inviting them into your house or bidding them 'God Speed' (best wishes). If so, what would that mean for people like you, your employer, and the many 'respected leaders' who promoted this thing among Gods people?
Finally Mr. Grady will you carefully consider
the following verses and tell us if perhaps it is time for you to take heed to
its ramifications and obey the commandment of the Lord in this matter.
2Cor 6:14-17
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye
are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
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Steve Lumbley 2008 apostasywatch.com
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