Revival

[Colin Pye]

Bit cautious about starting this discussion because we will all come to this from different theological perspectives ... but would be really interested to know your views on the Todd Bentley 'revival' to be seen on the God channel. His approach is certainly 'up front' and personal. "Boom" and "Bam" seem to be favourite phrases and there seems to be a fair amount of 'pushing' going on - not very English, but is it God? I find myself watching with a mixture of fascination and bewilderment. How do we assess the claims made ...at last count 17 raised from the dead?? Already many are crossing the Atlantic to share in the 'blessing' & no doubt bring it back (see Torronto). I don't want to be a 'seen it all before' sort of chap, and I would hope to be someone who is open to whatever God is doing, but I find myself at a bit of a loss to how to assess this. Thoughts on a postcard please.

[Steve Summerfield]

Hi, Colin,
It's funny you should mention this, but it was something that Phil Campion spoke to, at our latest Beds ministers' get-together, after he'd been at another event, and heard some thoughts from Terry Virgo about the Lakelands events... Phil helpfully photocopied the thoughts, but perhaps it might be an idea to ask Phil if he would be willing to post them, or have posted on here for all to see...
I think there can be no doubt that we need a revival, whether one of dramatic events, like the Lakelands one, or the Welsh revival, where one of the anecdotes is of crime dropping to zero, and the pit ponies reacting in shock to the way the miners were now treating them... with all the knife/gun crime...
A good book for a historical perspective is "Great revivals" by Colin Whittaker, with a series of short chapters about a variety of different revivals, from around the world... I look forward to some interesting discussion on this topic!
Steve

[Jason Gain]

Hi Colin
It is interesting if not a surprise that there are very few comments to your "Thoughts on a postcard". I have had many discussions with a wide range of others regarding the Lakeland revival thing. Some have been with those for and those against and what has struck me is that from whatever direction they come from if you show a leaning against their perspective it has caused much distress and sometimes a degree of anger. Comments such has "how dare you deny what God is doing" or "you must be immature to believe God is working in this". Sadly for me some have been from close friends of mine. I have tried to keep an open mind much like yourself and hope more than anything that my negative thoughts are proved wrong. I agree with Steve's comment that we need "Revival" but can we be too desperate for it at the expense of the command to test everything? An old Pastor of mine once said in the midst of the Toronto Blessing "it's not how you go down but how you get up that counts, the test of revival and God at work is transformed lives" that I can live with but given the responses I have had from fellow Christians in this debate, transformed lives? not even close. Many thought my objections were driven by Todd's appearance and his approach but they should have seen me when I first entered a church. Spit and dirt have been used to heal, handkerchiefs have been used, prophets have laid on top of people and along with many others they are straight out of scripture. What troubles me is where Todd comes from spiritually. His over eagerness in promoting what can be best described as "angel guides", his trip to the third heaven where Paul told him he wrote Hebrews with Abraham and the brahmans and leaders of other faiths he meets on his many trips to heaven. I know God can speak through a donkey but this could be an ass to far. I guess in the long run it will all come out in the wash - now that is very English isn't it.

Jason

PS If you are interested there is an article on the Lakeland Revival in this months "Christianity" magazine

[Colin Pye]

Jason

thanks for your thoughts, I find myself echoing many of them.
I had a leaflet through the door yesterday, which I presume had been put through many of the doors in our 'commuter' village, encouraging all to watch the revival with its genuine healings. I found my internal response rather revealing - for while I am quite happy to debate with myself and other Christians over the authenticity of this stuff, and have happily explored it 'in the flesh at St Andrews, Chorleywood, the thought of it being watched by members of my local community as a representation of the Christian faith I find a little disconcerting. This would not be preferred way of evangelizing this community - I fear it would lead to much misunderstanding, perhaps simply because of the cultural baggage it comes with. Still, I suspect that however we may assess it, it is coming to a 'church near you'!!

Colin

[John Smith]

I noticed that leafleting of our villages in Cambridgeshire has also been happening. This is an interesting development. I understand it's the God Channel who have been sponsoring the leaflets! However, the local organiser wanted to put our church as the local contact, even though he left some time ago in a huff!

[Jason Gain]

Hi Colin

Not had the leaflets through the door and yet we are very near to St Andrews. We know of many people in the village that are regulars there and very much into what's happening. I would be interested in your thoughts of the "FIRE" services that St Andrews are running. My wife and I keep meaning to take a look but things seem to crop up (maybe subconsciously-on my part ?)

John's comment on the leaflets being sponsored are very interesting indeed. Can it be the desire to see God's kingdom increased or a great piece of marketing. Sorry I had my cynical old worldly business hat on there, just can't shake it off (the things I want to do I don't do and all that).

I can't help wondering if my reactions to all this are born out of fear. Am I afraid of something that is not God and all the repercussions that will entail. Or is it sadly closer to the truth that I may indeed be afraid of what God will do, either way it's not right to feel that way.

Jason