There’s been a steady stream of information regarding the latest Todd Bentley scandal, a scandal that not surprisingly impacted the reputation of Dr. Michael Brown and his many ‘apostolic’ friends. This article is to simply document some of the controversies, in particular one from the perspective of Messianic Jewish Communicator Ron Cantor who serves on the pastoral team of Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv.
Since the new allegations against Todd Bentley surfaced, Dr. Brown has done his best to control what he called “the wave of gossip, slander, and innuendo against others in the family of God”. Dr. Brown was then tasked by a number of senior NAR leaders to assemble a group of men and women who would review the charges against Todd Bentley. But instead of immediately seeking out the truth from those morally compromised by Todd Bentley’s scandalous behaviour, Dr. Brown appeared more to be doing ‘damage control’ on behalf of his apostolic network of friends who were directly associated with Bentley’s ‘ordination’.
The following statement was made by Dr. Brown regarding the developing situation:
“… I urge every leader who has posted videos or blogs – etc., etc. – about Todd’s situation, either accusing him or defending him or simply airing an opinion, to remove all such material while we give ourselves to this process. Right now, gossip and slander and accusation are flying in every direction, defiling many.”
Dr. Brown stated “it is also wrong and ungodly to turn serious accusations into an internet show”.
The handling of this latest Todd Bentley scandal was the NAR’s attempt to give the impression they are “following God’s order” and “sacred process” which Dr. Brown says “will result in compassionate and righteous outcomes rather than chaos, pain, and confusion” and “healing, righteousness, and honor be restored to His Church.”
However there’s a problem with this – Dr. Brown and his NARpostolic friends (all wolves in sheeps clothing), all claim to be Apostles and Prophets (without anyone holding them accountable). Self-appointed ‘apostles’ who believe it’s their task to convince their followers that God has ‘restored the office’ of Apostles and Prophets to their cause. These wolves claim they are bringing God’s true ‘government’ to the church, that they are appointed to bring ‘order’ to God’s end-time church.
But since its inception, their false NAR teachings have been exposed as fraudulent time and again, most clearly evident in their ‘anointing’ and commissioning of Todd Bentley. Sadly the way the NAR and its ‘apostolic leadership’ have handled all this is deeply disturbing.
A TIMELINE:
Beginning with a look at Ron Cantor, who heavily promotes the New Apostolic Paradigm of the restored offices of Apostles and Prophets:
We now know that NAR Apostles were indeed on the Todd Bentley investigative panel, and this came as no surprise. Researching the insights of Ron Cantor, here is a timeline of events:
- According to Ron Cantor, the allegations were first handled by Apostle Rick Joyner. Cantor states, “if the allegations had not gone public and if respected leaders around the country had not expressed their deep concern over how they were being handled, the allegations would still be sitting on a desk somewhere.”
- Todd Bentley publicly came after the person who brought forth these allegations in the video, seeking to discredit him, while at the same time dismissing the allegations:
- Apostle Rick Joyner invited a judicial council and recused himself from the process.
- Here is the video of the victim speaking out:
Final Comment: Let the Judging Begin
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
The past 12 days have been the most intense that I can remember. Ironically the only thing that parallels this in my life happened in this same city, Pensacola, two decades ago. And even more ironic, so many of the people who were involved in that are here this week for the Light the Fire Again conference. Dejavu?
Twelve days ago I posted a very strong letter to a senior leader in the body. I have never done such a thing. The Bible clearly says that we are not to rebuke an older man harshly. But it also shows Nathan rebuking King David and, quite harshly. David’s response was not, “How dare you,” but, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And of course, the same Paul who wrote 1 Timothy 5:1, publicly rebuked one of the most senior men in the early church, Peter.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes. (Prov. 26:4-5)
Here are two verses in a row about rebuke and they completely contradict each other. It tells me that you have to discern when to rebuke a fool and when not to (Understand, I am not calling anyone a fool!) What I take from that is that the general rule is to not rebuke “an older man harshly,” but there are times when you must for the sake of righteousness. I felt that this was one such time.
The title of this may surprise you. “Let the judging begin.” But the truth is, judging controversies is a critical aspect of New Testament leadership. (Acts 15) Paul chides the church in Corinth for not being equipped to judge disputes.
Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers! (1 Cor. 6:4-6)
My goal, and that of many others who posted similar things, was to see a judicial council put in place to judge the allegations against Todd Bentley. I am pleased to announce that this council is forming rapidly under the guidance of one of my closest friends, Dr. Michael Brown.
I am going to post Dr. Brown’s statement in full underneath. However, I want to make a brief comment. While I am thrilled (and also devastated by the nature of the allegations) that a judicial council is forming, I do not fully agree with Dr. Brown’s assessment of what has transpired until now. We spent several hours together this morning in intense discussion. He knows my position and I am grateful for his humble understanding of our differences.
We left the room this morning as close as ever. And let me say, I am confident in his leadership of this team and the members who have joined thus far.
I do agree that the internet is not the place for such things to be played out. The Lord abhors gossip, speculation, the judging of motives and slander. False accusations are very serious. It would have been much better to deal with these issues face to face.
However, it is my firm opinion that this judicial council only came about because the accusations were made public. From every bit of evidence I have seen until now, those who received the allegations, allegations of the most serious nature, did not take them seriously enough. Had they vigorously investigated them, interviewed the person bringing forth the complaints and asked for outside help, the ugliness that we have seen over the past two weeks never would have happened. This is a fact.
Only after Mr. Bentley publicly came after the person who brought forth the allegations, seeking to discredit him, while at the same time dismissing the allegations, did this person make the allegations public. It is my opinion that this was a righteous act—based on what I know, as of today. They were made public one month after they were given to Mr. Joyner. It is my opinion, if the allegations had not gone public and if respected leaders around the country had not expressed their deep concern over how they were being handled, the allegations would still be sitting on a desk somewhere.
While I may look back at my words one day and conclude that I should have said a few things differently, I stand by what I wrote and said. During the past two weeks, I have been in constant contact with the men to whom I am accountable. I have asked for their covering and advice. I am not island. Had they told me to stop, I would have—though, it would have been very hard in light of the victims. What I did, was with them in mind.
Lastly, I want to honor Rick Joyner for inviting this judicial council in and for recusing himself from the process. I thank him for agreeing to take down the videos, as many of us have already done. Let’s let the process play out. It is my great hope that this can be an example of how we deal with controversy in the future.
Friends, let the healing begin!
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STATEMENT FROM DR. MICHAEL BROWN
Official Statement Concerning Allegations Against Todd Bentley
by Dr. Michael Brown
Dear friends in the Body of Christ,
Last month, a long list of serious charges against evangelist Todd Bentley was posted online, leading to a firestorm of controversy and confusion. In turn, this has unleashed a wave of gossip, slander, and innuendo against others in the family of God. Along with this, many are asking the question: Is there any accountability in the Church?
In response to this, I have been tasked by a number of senior leaders in the Body to assemble a group of trusted and respected men of God who will review the charges against Todd and make a determination, in accordance with 1 Corinthians 6. While we do not have judicial authority over Todd’s ministry, we do have the support of a wide range of leaders in the Body, who will be stating in advance that they will back the decision of the panel. It is our hope that this will set an example of a righteous way to handle disputes and accusations such as these for others in the Church, especially in non-denominational circles where it is often more difficult to establish patterns of accountability.
We will be working with an investigator who will help us vet ALL charges. The panel of leaders will then review the evidence and make a determination of guilt or innocence in accordance with the facts presented. Based on that determination, conclusions will be made in terms of how the charges against Todd have been handled, whether he should be in ministry, and whether others are guilty of falsely accusing him or misrepresenting the facts.
While we are deeply grieved that this has become a public spectacle being played out online for the entire world to see, we believe that God will use all this for His glory and the good of His people. The reputation of Jesus before the Church and the world is at stake, and it is imperative that we follow a godly, biblical process in order to set things right.
It is out of jealousy for the Lord’s honor and the health of the Body that I urge every leader who has posted videos or blogs – etc., etc. – about Todd’s situation, either accusing him or defending him or simply airing an opinion, to remove all such material while we give ourselves to this process. Right now, gossip and slander and accusation are flying in every direction, defiling many. In the fear of the Lord, I appeal to my colleagues in Jesus to be circumspect and prayerful, not giving room to the adversary of our souls.
While it is wrong and ungodly to sweep things under the rug, it is also wrong and ungodly to turn serious accusations into an internet show. Following God’s order will result in compassionate and righteous outcomes rather than chaos, pain, and confusion.
Please pray for the leaders who will be involved in this sacred process, as well as for God’s best for Todd Bentley and those against whom he allegedly sinned. (We will be releasing the names of the leaders involved in this procedure shortly.)
May the Lord’s will be done, for His glory and for our good, and may healing, righteousness, and honor be restored to His Church.
Source: Ron Cantor, Final Comment: Let the Judging Begin, https://www.facebook.com/notes/ron-cantor/final-comment-let-the-judging-begin/10157602044598410/?__tn__=H-R, Published September 04, 2019. (Accessed March 02, 2020.) [Archived]
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“Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Galatians 4:16
Categories: Fresh Fire Ministries, Line of Fire, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Tikkun International