Let's Not Have a Civil War - Christians!!!
Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 09:10AM
What Does God Do With A Christian With Bad Doctrine?
Recently I recieved an email (posted below) from Andrew Strom list - although I do not agree with him most of the time and that we will know our brothers/sisters by their fruits, he had an interesting post. It highlights the problems we as Christians have faced since the Book of Acts - DIVISION. It took Peter years to let go of the customs of Judaism. Was he a Christian with bad doctrine? Yes
Did God love him less than the other Apostle's? Did he lose his call to be an Apostle because his teaching was in error concerning circumcision? Did signs and wonder's cease due to his misconceptions concerning the redemptive action of Christ on the cross? The answer is no!
We as a Christian faith have always remain divided. I remember the charismatic movement's birth. It sure divided the church. The thought said in the corridor of non-charismatic expression churches was - How could this movement be of God since it caused splits, church wounds, along with division in the Body? Yet it imparted a tremendous truth to the Body of Christ - spiritual gifting.
The Lakeland Outpouring is addressing an aspect of the Kingdom of God which needs to be restored in the daily life of the church - the supernatural working of signs and wonders of being in His Presence
Our distinction as Christians should be one of divine love for each other in the Body. There is no doubt in my mind that Todd Bentley is a brother in the Lord. We share and drink from the common cup in communion. Although I may not agree with everything done at Lakeland or the teaching of Andrew Strom, lets learn the art of disagreement without causing a Civil War in the Body.
Lee Grady, Editor of Charisma writes:
"Some leaders say the controversial Lakeland Revival is forcing us
to choose sides. But I don't believe God wants to split our movement.
"It's been more than 10 years since charismatic prophet Rick Joyner
predicted in his popular book The Final Quest that believers would
experience a Civil War in the church. Joyner's book, based on a
series of visions he says God showed him, describes in graphic
detail a turbulent conflict that redefines Christianity as we know it.
"Other charismatic leaders have echoed this theme since Joyner's
book was published in 1996. They have predicted that our move-
ment will be divided between "Blues" (those who constantly live
in the supernatural realm of dreams, visions and miracles) and
"Grays" (those who rely more on their intellect), and that the Blues
will win and usher in true revival as champions of the Holy Spirit's power.
"Even in early 2008, before the Lakeland Revival erupted in Florida
in April, some charismatic prophets were declaring that a great
rift would divide those who believe in "the glory realm" and those
who have a more conservative, left-brained approach to their faith.
When God TV began its nightly broadcasts of evangelist Todd
Bentley's healing meetings in Lakeland, the Civil War prophecies
reappeared overnight on hundreds of blogs and e-mail blasts.
"I'll admit I was not paying too much attention to these Civil War
predictions 10 years ago. But I was jolted into reality in May after
I wrote an online column in which I raised honest questions about
some of Bentley's teachings and techniques. Even though I
celebrated his passion and zeal, and praised God for the healings
that were reported in Lakeland, I was immediately branded a revival
critic and banished to the Gray camp.
"I became the bad guy because, by asking questions, I was
'relying on my intellect.' To those in the Blue camp, my skepticism
made me an enemy of the Holy Spirit and all things supernatural -
even though I believe that all the supernatural gifts of the Holy
Spirit are for today!
"I tried to laugh this off at first. Surely, I imagined, my Christian
brothers and sisters do not really think it is wrong for a Spirit-filled
believer to test the spirits (which we are instructed to do in 1 John
4:1), discern truth (see 2 Pet. 3:17) or evaluate prophecies and
angelic encounters (see 1 Cor. 14:29, Gal. 1:6-8).
"But now I realize that some people really want a war. They want
the charismatic movement to split right down the middle. They
imply that all those who do not embrace 100 percent of the current
movement in Lakeland are "old wineskins" that cannot be used by
God in the coming revival.
"I can't even describe how much this hurts because I love people
on both sides of this conflict. I love the Blues and the Grays, along
with every other color in the body of Christ. I refuse to believe that
God is trying to split us. Division is the devil's work.
"I want to plead with everyone in our movement to reconsider the
whole Civil War scenario. Instead of rattling sabers and stockpiling
gunpowder, maybe we need to take steps in the opposite direction:
1. Let's accept one another...
2. Let's admonish one another....
[B]ecause I embrace Todd Bentley as my brother in Christ, I must
take a higher road even if I don't agree with his prayer methods or
his claims regarding angels. Anything I say, even if it is corrective,
must be said in love (see Eph. 4:15).
3. Let's pray for one another (see James 5:16). Jesus prayed that
we would be one. There is no record of Him praying that we would
split over doctrine. So why in the world would any of us hope for
a Civil War?
"Please pray for Bentley - and for the leaders who are speaking
into his life during this season. And pray that the church will not
only experience genuine spiritual revival but also true unity. Let's
work out our differences, support one another's ministries and
focus all our efforts on one common goal: To tell a lost world about
the love of Jesus." [~Source: www.fireinmybones.com]
Reader Comments (3)
We as a Christian faith have always remain divided
Mike, I totally disagree. Is the body of De. Michael Pelechaty divided? How can the body of Christ be divided? My reading of the books of Acts sees a church in unity, despite MANY dividing influences. Today is no different.
But what IS Christian unity, and where can it be found?
I do know how to spell "Dr." my fingers run faster then my brain....
To Father Deacon Raphael:
I do agree that the Body of Christ cannot be divided but (I am not just splitting hairs) there can be divisions. Which really in my mind is different than having a divided Body. Divisions are issues which have the potential to separate us into different camps. Like Baptist, Pentecostal, and Orthodox. ;)