A couple of years ago now, my attention was drawn to the apostate circus of signs and wonders that went on over in Lakeland, Florida. I remember experiencing the rebuke of other Christians at the time for daring to speak out against what was happening, albeit from confusion more than understanding, and from this place of isolation a springboard appeared that launched the Faith Defenders ministry, along with many other blogs and websites devoted to a return to Scriptural truth.
Since that time, the fall of Todd Bentley seemed to assure those who stood against the display at the time, and everyones attention seems to have been diverted towards the next bogus movement on the agenda of us all; the emergent church. I don’t know about others, but for someone like me coming from a spiritual background of Biblical ignorance, things seemed to change slightly. Whereas Bentley and his brigade seemed so over the top out of sync with that which I already knew from the Bible, those of influence in the emergent movement were a different kettle of fish. Many made all the right noises, but it took a real effort in immersing myself in the Scriptures, before I began to see clearly the lies and error that was being promoted.
This is all highlighted to bring me to the point I am at today. I cannot help but notice that with many having fully decided that Todd Bentley and his cohorts were pretty much a ridiculous joke in hindsight, everyone’s attention seems to be captivated by the likes of Brian MacLaren and his totally heretical books, and still trying to decipher the garbage that comes out of the mouths of such people as Rob Bell and the like, and how on earth they can proclaim such things as denying many fundamental orthodox Christian doctrines if they are truly saved.
With everyone’s attention captivated, I can’t help thinking about the murky figures who seemed to be pulling the strings at Lakeland, and how truly dangerous is their doctrine in stealing away for themselves the authority the Scripture gives to the apostles who founded the Church, and the unparalleled authority given to those who spoke prophetically under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, prior to the canon of Scripture being closed. I can’t deny having a very uneasy feeling that these shadowy figures are very much alive and active, and quite gladly remain outside of the limelight.
If any Christian comes from a similar background as myself, and is thankful for being forced into the Bible out of a sense of self preservation, then I encourage you to hone further still you new found ability to discern Scripturally, by peeling back what you can concerning the New Apostolic Reformation, and it’s associated ministries. Considering that many Christians I have spoken to, who seem to be full of knowledge concerning things in vogue currently, are virtually unaware that such a movement as the N.A.R. exists, or what indeed it actually stands for.
I’m not going to give out a load of different links etc. to highlight those involved in this movement, apart from maybe suggesting a good place to start is with a guy named C Peter Wagner, who is the main man, and just happened to be almost invisible but very influential at the time of the Lakeland fiasco. I have given a link at the foot of this message that leads you to a section of Wagner’s website that highlights his views on the subject of apostles and prophets for the Church of today.
All I can say that will hopefully help to keep a right perspective is this: If we agree that we now have a closed canon of Scripture that is sufficient for all our faith and practice:
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.(2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.(Jude 1:3)
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