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Readers polarized over Lakeland
Regarding ‘Lakeland ends as Bentley quits’
(September): It is our biblical opinion that this ministry is not a
biblically authentic, divinely called ministry.
In this day of sensationalism, we feel that Fresh Fire
Ministries should more accurately be named Wild Fire Ministries.
 | Todd Bentley |
We, of course, are not called into a ministry to judge
the credibility of others. But clearly, the words of Jesus are apropos:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s
clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will
recognize them.”
While we do not wish to violate our own rule of irenic
communications, we are nonetheless compelled to reference what Paul
admonished Timothy: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere
in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your
hearers.”
We openly admit our lack of spiritual depth, in
comparison to those who have claimed to have esoteric experiences.
We have never had a vision, nor can we claim a divine
visitation from our Lord to us personally. So we ask the forgiveness of
those who claim that direct intervention from heaven shapes their beliefs,
since our beholding is restricted to the written Word.
Those who endorse these kind of ministries have the
burden of reconciling this brand of sensationalism with the transparency of
scripture – which calls us to account for whether what we choose
to believe is in explicit harmony with Holy Scripture.
Walter Rachinski Bible Ministries, Vancouver
I am disappointed and surprised by the comments I am
reading and hearing about Todd Bentley.
This is a Christian minister who has helped thousands
of people. He has travelled all over the world, and done extensive
missionary work for thousands. His ministry has given millions to missions.
When he first started preaching, we saw a young man who
had come from a broken life rise – to where everyone wanted to
be associated with this young man. We prayed for this man. He was
indeed young – and perhaps the wolves were in his own sheep pen
from the start.
People used him, and were desperate for him to go here
and come there, all over the world. Perhaps he could not say no to the
needs; I don’t know. The fact of the matter is that God used him, and
thousands of people from all over the world came to hear him preach. This
tells you how desperate people are to get a touch from God.
Todd is not running a cult; he is not doing something
evil. He is a very human person, whose life was moving in the fast lanes.
I am not sure what other
Christians would do, if they had lived his life for the past five years. It
is understandable that anyone who was travelling as much as he was would
have some difficulties in his home life, with young children in the home.
I am hearing top people like Peter Wagner, in a
backwards way, refer to Todd as a loser. Perhaps their eyes were on
Todd, and not the One working through him.
He is a brother in the Lord. The work he did in the
name of Jesus does not change – or die – because he is
experiencing marital difficulties. Who hasn’t experienced marital
difficulties?
If he was working for a company, the company would have
given him time off to sort things out. And if that company had bad mouthed
him, it would have gotten sued.
Helen Dyck,
Emmanuel International Canada
Stouffville, Ontario
Continue article >>
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Questions about the Bubble Zone
Early in September, workers at Vancouver's abortion
clinic called police to complain that someone was in their precious Bubble
Zone (BZ), distributing copies of the very legislation which created the
zone.
Sissy von Dehn was handing the information to passersby
inside the zone, informing them they risked arrest if they even so much as
discussed the subject of abortion.
Many took her handout and expressed dismay at the
situation. One person, obviously a clinic staff member, took the copy and
went into the facility.
Soon after, two plainclothes police officers arrived
and went directly into the building – emerging 45 minutes later to
speak with Sissy. They informed her that she was not breaking the BZ. They
added that the clinic workers were upset with what she was doing.
This is strange – because the very people who
insisted on the draconian legislation in the first place are now upset when
someone informs the general public of its existence.
Recently, B.C.’s Court of Appeal upheld the BZ
law as being minimally invasive of someone's freedom of expression. Now the
clinic workers themselves are upset when we inform the public of this law.
Truth be told, this legislation is actually supposed to
be posted on all entrances to the abortion facility – and this has
not been done, in spite of a court ruling. Perhaps the workers are
embarrassed by having to publicly identify their location and business.
Perhaps they prefer to continue carrying on their morbid work away from
public scrutiny.
The police have assured Sissy that she can indeed
inform people when they are inside the 50 metre bubble zones without fear
of being arrested. She promises to continue to do so.
John Hof,
Campaign Life Coalition BC,
Langley
InSite an embarrassment to the city
I am very embarrassed that we have the InSite safe
injection facility in Vancouver.
It is obvious to me that there are many times when
mainstream media pick which side of a debate to be on – and I
believe this has happened in the debate about InSite’s worth.
The real solution is to help the dear addicts get off that lifestyle.
Instead of funding InSite, we should establish many
more places where people can go when they are ready to get help.
According to what I’ve read, very few who go to
InSite even think about getting off drugs. Why should they?
They are there to do their drugs, and are encouraged to
think it is okay; we even supply them with the place to shoot up.
This gives the false impression that it is approved
– and even good for one’s health!
Audrey Mabley,
Eternity Club Ministry,
Burnaby
October 2008
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