“In reality then, there is no power or principle from God in the NAR. It’s one big sham, a false movement and a delusion sent by God on those who have rejected truth. This is a movement that dishonors God by attributing false signs and wonders to God.”
(Rick Becker – Famine In The Land) Todd Bentley is the product of a movement that has elevated men, women, and miracles above God. In the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) the supernatural is a vital element. In fact, the value placed on the supernatural is the underlying philosophy that has enabled charlatans, and in this case a sexual predator to thrive in the NAR. The leaders and the movement value power over principle….
By power I mean anything they perceive to be a supernatural gift or manifestation. By principle I mean the principles or fundamental truths contained in scripture. In their defense, NAR leaders who commissioned, restored and recommissioned Bentley will claim that anyone can fall into sin or deception. This is true, but they have failed to address two facts:
• They have created a culture that honors men and women above scripture.
• They commissioned a man who was never qualified for ministry.
One of the leading figures in the NAR who played a pivotal role in the life of Bentley is Bill Johnson. In this article, I explore one aspect of Johnson’s contribution to an insidious movement and the culture within. It has enabled ravenous wolves like Bentley to thrive – because dead or alive, the dishonorable are honored.
Dishonoring God by honoring the dishonorable who are alive
Todd Bentley shot to NAR stardom during the “Lakeland revival” during which he kicked and punched people who came forward for prayer. Claims of miracles drew the crowds, and garnered the attention of leaders in the NAR. Leading NAR apostles and prophets could not resist what was deemed to be a supernatural outpouring, and they catapulted Bentley further into the limelight by commissioning this charlatan, an excerpt from Bill Johnson’s prayer over Bentley reveals the philosophy of power above principle : “We shape the course of history, by partnering with you, giving honor where it’s due.You welcome the glory, as well as any anybody I’ve ever seen in my life. I long to learn from you in that, and I bless you, and I pray with the rest of these, that the measure of glory would increase, that Moses would no longer be considered the high water mark where the glory shone from his face, but instead the revelation of the goodness of God would change the face of the church, and that he would use your voice, he would use your grace, your anointing, to alter the face of the church before this world, that the goodness of the Lord will be seen once again, I pray this over you in Jesus name.”
Bentley was elevated because of his “anointing” and the “glory” that rested on him – power over principle. Shortly thereafter, Bentley’s extramarital affair surfaced, he subsequently divorced his wife and married his mistress. Rick Joyner and Bill Johnson oversaw Bentley’s restoration.
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