Thanks to Miriam here for pointing this out.
I recently had someone leave a comment on this blog stating that Todd Bentley is a mighty man of God. I challenged this person by saying that Todd Bentley has been proven to be a liar and fraud. I never heard back from him on that issue. The truth is, someone who is intimate with the inner-workings of the Lakeland Outpouring is speaking out with the truth and telling what he knows about what goes on behind the scenes. It proves that Todd Bentley is not only a fraud, but he’s purposely manipulating the people in order to extort money from them.
Robert Ricciardelli, an author at Charisma magazine and apostle of C. Peter Wagner, is going public with some inside information. I don’t know his motives, nor do I in any way endorse his doctrine or his ministry, but I thank him for the information that he is giving.
Below is what he has to say about Todd Bentley:
I agree that this is well beyond Lakeland, but this is a Lakeland Forum, and also Todd is on a world stage thanks to GodTV’s financial needs. So to whom much is given, much is required. If you are going to lie or stretch truth like Todd does on a world stage, you can bet people like me who he is representing are going to speak up. Here is one of the errors.
In early June, I think on the 6th Todd gave an offering message that was manipulation and borderline witchcraft. He said the Lord told Him that there were 1000 people who were going to give $1000 and if they were obedient, the Lord said they would receive 1000 fold return. I am in almost daily conversation with Stephen Strader, and challenged him that it was not from God. He agreed and talked to Todd. Todd admitted that he worded it wrong, but that it was an idea he had to raise money for the 30,000 seat revival center they want to build. I then asked if he would repent publicly and they said no because the crowd changes every night. Source.
Also this from that same link:
Todd has been filled with hype and embellishment since he first started, and I have gotten informstion from staff members, former staff members, my own experience, and a fmaily memebrs experience who traveled with Todd, so know I am talking fact here. This event has been man orchestrated from the beginning… Source.
Even many behind the scenes who are working for Bentley have a problem with him, but no one is going public. If they know that this is deception and they do not speak out, they are as guilty as he is in manipulating and robbing the public. When we can stand by and watch poor and diseased people being robbed in God’s name, and we do nothing about it, then we are as guilty as if we were the ones standing in the pulpit doing it. This tells me a lot about his supporters.
Now, is Todd Bentley still a mighty man of God? Those words don’t even belong together in the same sentence.
Todd Bently is a mighty man of God. This one persons oppinion of the outpouring doesn’t change the fact that there have been thousands of people that have been healed. it has even been doctor verified on fox news cbs news and so on. I am going to come back to the same point I made in another post. Who are we to judge. Todd Bently is not perfect we are not perfect. for all the good that God is doing we can’t get stuck on the things that hold no weight in rellevence. This guy said that it has man orchestrated from the being. well if that were true then God would not honor it and his spirit would not be a part of it. I have been there and the Holy Spirit is there.From the moment you walk into the tent you can since his presence.It is easy to sit back and tell a bunch of people what is wrong with a person. I can even use scripture to back up my point. you can probley look at every ministrie around the world and find fault. Where is the grace in that. The Bible says that it is the acuser of the brotherns job to acuse.not ours. When we acuse others we take the place of God and the blessings of Gid continue to flow in our lives. That is basic foundation teaching. But so many are missing the feast at the table and settling for the scraps that fall beacasue of a decision to be right.I don’t want to be right. The heart of God has never accused anyone of anything since the begining of time. So who’s heart are you submitting to.I’m not trying to insult I am just speaking my heart. Another thing is that that article is an opinion. From one person and one side of the story. To make an educated dicision we need all the imformation. I look at alot of these post and I don’t see anything that represents Grace. Where is the grace shown that God gives to us. There is law no more, but grace. Without we would all be getting what we diserve. But we don’t because of Gods amazeing grace. So stop giving others what they diserve. I know my mistakes before anyone has say a word includeing God. I know when I have messed up. It is the holy spirits job to convict and bring us to repentence. So let him do his job.
By: Jonathan B. Bullington on July 24, 2008
at 8:41 am
Hi Jonathan, thank you for your post. I didn’t know if you would come back or not.
I have just one request. Please defend the Lakeland Revival with scripture. I want scripture for it.
Thank you.
By: Chrystal on July 24, 2008
at 9:32 am
It is not really about giving grace rather than giving what a person deserves, is it? After all, when Jesus said “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” or “watch out for false teachers” was He not walking in grace?
How about when Paul named the names of false teachers, and said teachers of a false gospel were accursed, was he (the grace teacher himself) forgetting to walk in grace?
How about when Jude wrote about contending for the faith against false teachers. Why didn’t he just say “let’s all just walk in grace and treat false teachers better than they deserve?”
I think the answer is that false teachers take MANY people to hell and shipwreck people’s faith. They get the focus on other things than Jesus (even though they use His name).
A surgeon operates with a knife. He doesn’t “graciously” treat the patient as if he is not really sick. There is a time for grace, and there is a time for truth. Jesus was full of BOTH-grace AND truth.
By: Melissa on July 24, 2008
at 9:21 pm
Jonathan said “The heart of God has never accused anyone of anything since the beginning of time.”
Did not Jesus say to the Pharisees “You are of your father, the devil”? John 8:44
The devil is indeed called the “accuser of the brethren” but we must define who the “brethren” are according to the Bible alone. Jesus said His brothers are those who do the will of God. (Matt. 12:50)
There are many false brethren. It is not accusing them to expose their errors in order to help the REAL brethren.
Was Paul “accusing the brethren” when he “opposed Peter to his face”? Galatians 2:11
Was Nathan “touching God’s anointed” when he said “You are the man!” to the anointed King David?
By: Melissa on July 24, 2008
at 9:29 pm
Just something that I noticed listening to Roy Fields’ own songs (unofficial CD, from Lake Land), I didn’t hear God being praised on any of the 5 tracks, apart from, maybe things like “hearing the angels sing holy holy holy”. I just wondered what opinions other people had to that. Is it true worship or our we vearing off course a little bit?
As with Todd, I was all for him doing well, but now I’m very dissapointed in what he’s been doing. God doesn’t honour lies and twists on truth, although it can be hard at times. I thought that Todd must be such a man of God to hear from God and spend time in His throne room everyday, however I don’t think that I can quite believe that anymore. It does seem that this whole thing was Orchestrated from the Beginning to get the money in.
But through the grace of our Lord and Saviour Yeshua Christ we must pray for this man.
“Lord, wonderful and graceful God, I ask that you show mercy to all that have accused and judged Todd Bentley beyond what is reasonable.
Lord, only You as judge can bring correction to this man in a fitting way, I ask that you do it soon so as not to let Your Bride get hurt. May we be given more discernment in these days to those whose hearts long to know You. We need your love, patience, wisdom, understanding, courage, boldness, mercy, joy, protection from the enemy, humility, grace and the abiltiy to forgive so that we too may be forgiven.
May true revival hit the whole planet.
Thank you Lord that even though the enemy tries to quench you in China and other places suffering persecution for Your names sake, that You bring true revival and miracles! May they have many more and be continually strengthened by you. May they have a time of peace soon. May mercy be shown to us in the same way when the whole world comes under persecution, come quickly Yeshua!
Give us the strength to find our way out of temptations, and let us not be taken from You by the accuser!
May we all be provided for suffiently and teach us to give to others.
May we bless You as You bless us, Thank You!”
By: Matthew... on July 25, 2008
at 4:29 pm
Jonathon Bullington,
When your theology (knowledge of God) is based on exeperience you are treading in dangerous waters. The Living Word of God is all we need to live a life of Godliness…apparently some need more…due to lack of being grounded in the Word.
By: T. Anderson on July 26, 2008
at 10:56 am
Hey can anyone tell me does God discriminate against Amputees….and what is this “partial healing” that Todd Bentley talks about? Oh, that’s right God only does things that aren’t to amazing. Thoughts to ponder.
By: T. Anderson on July 26, 2008
at 11:00 am
Todd Bentley a mighty man of God??!! Todd Bentley is a BAFOON! Jonathan, we don’t “judge”. But scripture commands us to warn others about the wolves in sheeps clothing, to be discerning, to sound the alarm. If warning others about false prophets is “judging”, then call me a judge. My dog is a better Christian than Bentley. Goodness knows she’s heard me witnessing enough. And if you believe Bentley’s lies, then you are decieved. God bless you, I hope you take the time to do some SERIOUS bible study. Be a Bearean, for goodness sake!
By: slipstitch on August 5, 2008
at 10:51 am
p.s. To T. Anderson:
AMEN!
Scripture trumps experience EVERY TIME!!
By: slipstitch on August 5, 2008
at 10:52 am
I notice too many Bentley followers just cannot quote the relevant scriptures to equate the happenings at Lakeland, so here is one prepared earlier, much earlier!
King James Bible
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
By: chris saunders on August 9, 2008
at 8:11 am
I pastor a Vineyard church in Parsons kansas and i am 38, have been in ministry since i was 18. Married, we have two teens. When i received an invitation from a minister friend that had been going to the revival, i flew 1000 miles to this event. I had heard talk about people being saved and my friend said that the dead were being raised. i hoped it was true. I felt to go and witness this for myself because if it were true i desired to see so many coming to Christ and it were “flesh” i could say i was there and not have to be bombarded with those who say, “this is the revival and if we dont get flow with it we will miss God’s move!” It’s been said before. So i went. Thousands worshiping the Lord and they looked so beautiful standing in His presence. I was there for two nights, the first night after about 30 minutes – i got grossed out! The Bible had not been opened at all, Jesus was not mentioned except in a few songs. Talk of angels, money and buildings and fame filled the air. The people were so hungry for the Lord they didn’t realize they had been cheated. It remined me of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8: there was an attitude willing to do anything and pay any price to obtain the gift of God. There stood several young men willing to make themselves great in the eyes of men. I sorely went back the next night when they announced Todd would not be present the crowd mouned. I got scared and went outside. I wondered where all the money was going? Were local churces and pastors being blessed? Were the poor being taken care of? Were widows being prayed for and nurtured? The care I saw for the lost was related to their outpouring. I also saw the sick turned away from the platform when their “words of knowledge” were over. Some of the workers seemed sincere. Everyone worshiping seemed wholehearted and i beleive they were. I saw no real compassion for the needs of these people from those on the platform. When i shared “my” findings with friends who had been there themselves i felt tolerated. Later, rebuked by others for questioning the move of God. Any revival that does not encourage us to obedience to God’s Word as our foundation, any revival that does not have the burning to be holy before the Lord and to see His Kingdom advance in the kingdom of men, will never last. For those wounded deeply and feel betrayed please consider reading “A Tale of Three Kings” by Gene Edwards.
By: Micheal Linthicum on August 21, 2008
at 2:44 am
Thanks Michael. I endorse a tale of three kings for anyone feeling bruised or hurt. God used it in my life in years past to bring a place of peace from pain and confusion.
By: Pearlo on August 25, 2008
at 4:25 am
all i needed to hear is when someone said that he does not preach repentance. all true healing comes through repentance. then i clicked to listen to him and he was saying we need to believe in angels. obviously what we need to believe in is Jesus Christ.
i believe it is likely this is the start of the apostate church of end times.
By: julie on August 31, 2008
at 11:50 am
Hi Chrystal, Thank you for the good read.
Todd Bentley is not a great man of God or even a man of God. Bentleys God makes glass eyes see. And that wreaks of occultism. Bentley has taken the heresy of seed faith offering and Oral Roberts 100 fold return principle and made it 1000.
If these people spent as much time studying the bible as they do following after miracles and money, they would know that in the end times the love of many will wax cold, they will become luke warm, not knowing they are naked and poor (spiritually), thinking they have no need for anything, they will turn from truth to myths.
I was studying the book of Daniel awhile back, and it said of the anti-Christ that he would not honor the God of his fathers, but would rather honor the “god of forces”. Today’s Charismatics, are sold out hook line and sinker to the God of this world (the god of forces) Thinking that if they do this, or they do that, they can manipulate God through a formula or force that God is bound too.
And many will say,,,,,, Have we not done great miracles in your name
By: Damon on November 4, 2008
at 3:35 pm