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Todd Bentley Revival is an Irresponsible, Hyped, Deceptive, Embellished Move of Man Reports “Insider”

Thanks to ‘AriseMy Love’ for making me aware of this post from here. Although I have concerns for the possible motives of this report from one of Wagner’s apostles, bearing in mind what many of the apostles plan re. Todd Bentley, here it is anyway. It makes very interesting reading….

“Robert Ricciardelli is a Member of Peter Wagner’s International Coalition of Apostles (see here)

Robert is a Charisma Magazine Author (see here). He is a very close friend of Lee Grady. “Lee is a friend, partner, advisor” (see his website)

ABOUT CHARISMA’S LAKELAND RESEARCH: On July 16th Ricciardelli revealed,

“Truth is there are very few people being healed in Lakeland. I have worked with Charisma Magazine editor LEE GRADY in discovering how many false reports have been released as facts. These are our brothers and sisters involved in this, but this move of God has been a move of men with God still touching some who come to seek Him…

From here Go to comment section. If you need convincing, click on Ricciardelli’s name.

“…The reporting of claims are being reported as fact and I am not talking about claims from Lakeland, these are claims from emails and phone calls. None of these claims happened from Lakeland, but there was an ownership of them, because someone sent them in. In some cases the person never even mentioned Lakeland, but wanted to just share what God has done. CHARISMA REPORTERS and a few others like myself have tried to get these verified and cannot. At one point, I was told that is God’s job and not the ones reporting these invalidated and now some have been found out to be fraudulent claims. We actually had offered to help, because any news of a resurrection in my opinion is world news if it can be validated. But then when the totals continued to mount which led to hype and embellishment, they began to ask us to stop asking questions. Hmmmm?

Friday night, Todd said that God said there were 1000 people that were to give $1000, and they were to receive a 1000 fold blessing. The one hour drama on this giving subject was so deceptively evident that it was embarrasing to watch. On top of that, those that would give that money were able to come to the platform to be recognized…”

If you care to see more, go to Robert’s 2nd Comment June 8, 2008 at 8:18 am here

ABOUT THE RESURRECTIONS: On June 8th Robert Says, “…We have investigated the 20 plus “raised from the dead” claims as we want to report them to the media, and they cannot be verified, but were only called in, or sent in from an email. This is not responsible reporting, and leaves many questions, which also adds to the claims of hype and embellishment.”

this is from Robert’s 1st comment here

Other comments from Robert Ricciardelli – “God is about nameless and faceless people who are operating without any agenda but the Lords. Preaching about the King and His Kingdom, and moving supernaturally after Him, and as they do, signs and wonders follow. The problem in Charismania is that they seek the sign, they seek the thrill, they seek the craft supply quality gold dust, feathers and gems. They may get the chills and frills, but leave with nothing more than goose bumps and really little spiritual change. When they seek the King, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, you begin to see transformation take place at the heart level. This is God’s way and always has been…..”

ON KGNW 820 AM, RICCIARDELLI REVEALS THAT TODD BENTLEY DEFIED RODNEY HOWARD-BROWNE’S ADVICE TO STOP TALKING ABOUT ANGELS (Credit goes to Charisma Blogger, David from Maryland, for pointing me to this link)
Hour-Long Version  [end times note, I do not have time to listen to this, if anyone wants to note the most pertinant parts of this, I would be most grateful]
http://youtube.com/watch?v=63L9j-QNVMM 5min clip

Here are a couple other things he reported on that hour-long broadcast:

1) 46:07 minute mark. Craig Kinsley, an associate of Bentley’s who was there from the very beginning of the Lakeland meetings, said that during the first week he didn’t feel like God was moving at all and that Todd approached him and said that they were going to keep this thing going. Craig’s response was, “keep what going?”

2) 47:28 He had an interesting comment about his friend, Pastor Steve Strader, that you have to hear for yourself.

[Thanks to Dan-O for this transcript:

Here’s what was said about Strader in that broadcast by Robert Ricciardelli:

Secondly, Stephen Strader, who’s a friend, and we still maintain our friendship in the midst of all of this - who is the pastor of Ignited Church - he runs the morning meetings over there, “training for evangelism.”

He mentioned to a group of pastors in a meeting I was at one morning that “in revival, we do not police revival.”

And he says, ” even last night, one of our intercessors was dressed inappropriately. And during worship her hips were gyrating.

And if I did not know her heart, I would think she was in orgy.”

That was his exact words.

He said that if that was in a church service he’d have a father and a mother in the Lord guide her gently guide her away from that, instruct her, but in revival, you let these things go, you don’t police revival."]

Other claims by Robert Ricciardelli - 

A lot of others connected with C Peter Wagner urged him not to ‘coronate’ Todd Bentley.

At least a dozen ICA members that he knows of that are extremely concerned at Peter’s endorsement and more to follow as the nonsense continues

It is his opinion that it was man orchestrated and demonically influenced from the very beginning

He has heard the Roy Fields has stated a few times that when the worship ends, God’s presence leaves the platform, and then Todd Bentley operates void of His presence. That is why most all of what they have claimed cannot be verified, because it just is not happening.

There is a church here in North Carolina that brought 27 sick down there for a week. Some with cancer, leukemia, diabetes and such. None got healed and most were worst when they came back.

The emperor is not wearing any clothes and the truth must be known.

Many are claiming that Todd is the new thing that God is doing. The fact is he is still operating in the old thing, and operating with less integrity and character than the previous one man shows.

Todd Bentley deliberately defied Rodney Howard Browne and was intentionally rude and in your face about it - see here http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/robert-ricciardelli-reveals-todd-bentley-deliberately-defies-rodney-howard-browne/

July 22, 2008 - Posted by endtimespropheticwords | False Prophets and Teachers, Fresh Fire ministries, Healing, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Peter Wagner, Prophecy, Revival, Robert Ricciardelli, Roy Fields, Todd Bentley, signs and wonders | , , , | 22 Comments

22 Comments »

  1. Robert Ricciardeli has answered some questions at Revival School. http://65.108.220.179/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=11181
    REVIVAL SCHOOL – Revival MP3s, Revival History, Revival Videos, Revival Power, Revival Truths, Revival Prophecies, Revival Fire, Revival is Coming! Forums-viewtopic-CHARISMA’S LAKELAND RESEARCH REVEALED!!!

    Comment by cheryl | July 22, 2008

  2. What would a professional psychiatrist say about all of this? It has to have a name in the medical field as well as in spiritual realm; this behavior – the antics and talk coming out of all their mouths, including Stader’s is sick and perverted.

    Not only that, what would a judge in a court of law say about premeditated injury to a person ? These people are insane. Why hasn’t anyone prosecuted them yet? This has gone beyond ‘religion’ to criminal action.

    Comment by Marilynn | July 22, 2008

  3. Absolutely agree Marilynn. I believe God is giving people time to repent. And the punishment may be be in God’s hands, not man’s. Todd and company would be better off if their “just desserts” were up to the authorities only.

    Comment by cheryl | July 22, 2008

  4. Miriam, I received this letter this morning, I can forward you the whole thing later to verify that its legit, but for now i’ll leave out names. But its from a pastor in Lakeland and here is his take on what’s going on there:

    “You asked about the Todd Bentley revival, I have probably sent out at least 50 emails to people asking about this: what follows is a very quick and brief summation.

    Like we say in Pentacostalism – where there is smoke, there is usually fire. There are some things about this movement that are just plain strange and unconventional. Todd has almost no theological grounding, it is embarrassing to some of the AG churches in the area as it has become so contentious. It is getting global coverage and lots of big name personalities have been here. It is having very little impact on Lakeland as a community and our church (_________ AG) is not very involved in it.

    The first few weeks and months were like chaos in a New England Nor’easter. The church hosting the event is called “Ignited” and is pastored by Stephen Strader. His father Karl, was the pastor of a large AG church (Carpenter’s Home) that split a few years ago. The Ignited church spin-off has always been known for what I term charis-mania.

    It is hard to make genuine assessments as the Lakeland Outpouring has become a media circus. On the one hand, there are genuine testimonies of healing and grace, and on the other are methods and messages that are confusing and some would say “ungodly”, Todd punches and hits people, citing Smith Wigglesworth as an example. I just don’t see Jesus smacking people around. Todd’s revelations and angelic visions are completely subjective, I don’t doubt he has had these experiences but as to the source, it would not surprise me if they were generated out of his own inner psychosis. He does not come across like a well balanced or disciplined leader – of course, he says this is why God has chosen him.

    My biggest concern is that people are flying in from all over the world and North america for this event, hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent on international media and promotion. Yet the city of Lakeland remains largley unchanged. This is nothing like the revivals of history (past or present) where moral convictrion swept through the community – remember Argentina? Furthermre, Lakeland has a large poor African-American and Hispanic community, to my knowledge this revival has not spread to those communities in any degree.

    I know this is a mixed report – I have been there once and found the whole thing a lot like a three-ring circus. I guess if I were a new Christian I might be attracted to it, as iit is I am hopeful it will have more long-term impact on our city and especially our marginal communities. I am a missionary and remain unconvinced this particular phenomena will have a lasting impact on the needs of our community and world.”

    Comment by seventy2 | July 22, 2008

  5. [quote=Marilynn]“What would a professional psychiatrist say about all of this?”[/quote]

    Especially the double talk when repeating what was wrong with the patient when the patient has a microphone in their face.

    Comment by geetrue | July 22, 2008

  6. I’m not in prof. psychiatry (which imho generally doesn’t acknowledge the spiritual anyway), but the word that comes to mind is ‘delusional’. Or maybe some form of narcissism ?

    Comment by Cia Watson | July 22, 2008

  7. Here’s what was said about Strader in that broadcast by Robert Ricciardelli:

    Secondly, Stephen Strader, who’s a friend, and we still maintain our friendship in the midst of all of this – who is the pastor of Ignited Church – he runs the morning meetings over there, “training for evangelism.”

    He mentioned to a group of pastors in a meeting I was at one morning that “in revival, we do not police revival.”

    And he says, ” even last night, one of our intercessors was dressed inappropriately. And during worship her hips were gyrating.

    And if I did not know her heart, I would think she was in orgy.”

    That was his exact words.

    He said that if that was in a church service he’d have a father and a mother in the Lord guide her gently guide her away from that, instruct her, but in revival, you let these things go, you don’t police revival.

    Comment by Dan-o | July 23, 2008

  8. It’s called
    and Cia, you would be correct if ’spirituality’ were in question: to be spiritual in the sense of ‘true minister of the gospel’ one has to experience the new birth, ‘transformation’ not ‘reformation”.

    The following is a list of items based on the research of Robert Hare, Ph.D. which is derived from the “The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, .1991, Toronto: Multi-Health Systems.”

    The psychopath is one of the most fascinating and distressing problems of human experience. For the most part, a psychopath never remains attached to anyone or anything. They live a “predatory” lifestyle. They feel little or no regret, and little or no remorse – except when they are caught. They need relationships, but see people as obstacles to overcome and be eliminated. If not, they see people in terms of how they can be used. They use people for stimulation, to build their self-esteem and they invariably value people in terms of their material value (money, property, etc..).

    A psychopath can have high verbal intelligence, but they typically lack “emotional intelligence”. They can be expert in manipulating others by playing to their emotions. There is a shallow quality to the emotional aspect of their stories (i.e., how they felt, why they felt that way, or how others may have felt and why). The lack of emotional intelligence is the first good sign you may be dealing with a psychopath. A history of criminal behavior in which they do not seem to learn from their experience, but merely think about ways to not get caught is the second best sign.

    The following is a list of items based on the research of Robert Hare, Ph.D. which is derived from the “The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, .1991, Toronto: Multi-Health Systems.” These are the most highly researched and recognized characteristics of psychopathic personality and behavior.

    glibness/superficial charm
    grandiose sense of self worth

    need for stimulation/prone to boredom
    pathological lying

    conning/manipulative
    lack of remorse or guilt

    shallow emotional response
    callous/lack of empathy

    parasitic lifestyle
    poor behavioral controls

    promiscuous sexual behavior
    early behavioral problems

    lack of realistic long term goals
    impulsivity

    irresponsibility
    failure to accept responsibility for their own actions

    many short term relationships
    juvenile delinquency

    revocation of conditional release
    criminal versatility

    I rest my case.
    MKL
    http://www.thelordsremnant.com

    Comment by Marilynn | July 23, 2008

  9. Thanks Dan O

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | July 23, 2008

  10. I don’t know what happened to the rest of the first sentence above but it was =” It’s called “Psychopathic Personality”…
    MKL

    Comment by Marilynn | July 23, 2008

  12. Following all of the recent internet coverage, the show’s host, Ken Talbott posted the original show to his site as “July 14th on AM 820 KGNW” at http://www.thewalkshow.com

    Comment by Sterling | July 23, 2008

  13. Todd Bentley appeared in Burn Up drama on the BBC. My husband called me it to show me. They showed a clip of a healing and one of the characters was watching what appeared to be Todd Bentley on God TV!
    Burn up is fiction of course. A more appropriate setting perhaps!

    Comment by Eve | July 23, 2008

  14. Robert Ricciardelli said

    “I do not see Galatians 5 fruits of the Spirit coming from Todd. I have looked from every angle and twice over and cannot find it.”

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | July 23, 2008

  15. http://charismamag.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2899&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=45

    Robert Ricciardelli said

    Some … have tasted some of the Lakeland Kool-Aid and that is okay, So have many of my friends and family in Christ. Roy Fields is probably the most anointed person of the Lakeland troop. The source is a good one and has heard from Roy on more than one occasion. If Roy contacts me directly, I reveal the source to him. I just want people to know that many even still there in Lakeland have had severe problems with Bentley. They will have to answer to God for their involvement and obedience or lack thereof in it. IF I was able to divulge all that I know, you would understand why I have taken a stance.

    To divulge more would not help anyone and I already should not have listed Rodneys name and am learning how media can spread. I am thankful this has been helpful, but I did not expect this and would not have mentioned Rodneys name if I did. He has grown incredibly from the days when he was a target so many years ago. I am proud of him, even though we may not have the same worldview on all things. He is seeing the same as we are on the Lakeland issues and probably more so because he is there everyday in that region helping those who have been hurt by it, or at least confused about it.

    I understand why he does not go public. It would be a distraction fro him, and it would not hinder or slow down Bentley. And the media would go crazy calling Rodney jealous. I guarantee that Bentley and the extreme junk out there is not provoking Rodney to envy. He feels like weeping at what he is witnessing and in fact has weeped. He could be on the platform but would never set foot on there at any price, unless he was invited to gracefully shut it down as a senior leader of the region.

    ****

    Kool-aid to me means deception. I have been to Lakeland and have not drank the Kool-aid, so I was not referring to people who go to Lakeland and Kool-aid seems more mild than deception and lies. When you read Bentley’s book, you will find that the angel Emma had a sex change. Smae stroy with Bob Jones and the angel, but no hint of the good looking 22 year old (Todd’s description) angel named Emma.

    Todd has been filled with hype and embellishment since he first started, and I have gotten informstion from staff members, former staff members, my own experience, and a fmaily memebrs experience who traveled with Todd, so know I am talking fact here. This event has been man orchestrated from the beginning. If you would like to prayerfully consider some of the influence of this, here it from Todd yourself here…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtSK9TyduR4&NR=1

    and below is one of the violent moments of Lakeland .This man did not get healed but was assaulted
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUTCWLoD4-4

    and then Todd bragging of the violence.
    http://www.brianjones.com/2008/05/jacki … jesus.html

    Disregard the commentary, none is needed. Oh Lord we ask you to set Todd free and to protect the innocent, while lifting the deception of those who cannot see this.

    ***

    I think the first clip is vital to what we are seeing. Todd admittedly fell into some sin a few years ago. Looking at all the tattoos he added during that time, his current violent tendencies, is it possible he opened the door again and nees some time away for healing and deliverance? If someone claims an angel is female and has a name for her, and then writes a book with the same story and the angel being male or no sex at all, will lead to questions. Was he lying, is he covering something up? … That is what I believe you will find in the book.

    I agree that this is well beyond Lakeland, but this is a Lakeland Forum, and also Todd is on a world stage thanks to GodTV’s financial needs. So to whom much is given, much is required. If you are going to lie or stretch truth like Todd does on a world stage, you can bet people like me who he is representing are going to speak up. Here is one of the errors.

    In early June, I think on the 6th Todd gave an offering message that was manipulation and borderline witchcraft. He said the Lord told Him that there were 1000 people who were going to give $1000 and if they were obedient, the Lord said they would receive 1000 fold return. I am in almost daily conversation with Stephen Strader, and challenged him that it was not from God. He agreed and talked to Todd. Todd admitted that he worded it wrong, but that it was an idea he had to raise money for the 30,000 seat revival center they want to build. I then asked if he would repent publicly and they said no because the crowd changes every night.

    This stuff goes on and on and deeper and deeper, and my heart goes out to immature believers that are being deceived. It is not right, but I believe God is going to use this to expose these sorts of sensational and supernatural seeking doctrines of men. God is patient with us… He is a good God… Todd will come around, but those around him that are yes men are not helping him. He needs those around him who will be willing to say ‘Stop it, just Stop it”, when necessary..

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | July 23, 2008

  17. I have to say I am ‘curious’ about the timing of these revelations. He allegedly knew this stuff for months…

    Comment by endtimespropheticwords | July 24, 2008

  18. Many of those around Todd seem to be dropping hints that they find what he does unacceptable. Why don’t they stand up and say so? What are they afraid of?
    God will hold them responsible.

    Comment by Eve | July 24, 2008

  19. Eve,
    I believe that TB’s inner circle knows far more than they are willing to let on, at least for now. The problem they struggle with is that they have come to enjoy the ride and it makes them feel important or special – they are the leaders of “IN” crowd. Their support of him and this so-called movement of God will continue until they are struck in the face with the reality that there is more wrong with it than right. It is a hard thing for a Christian who so desperately wants to experience a higher level of relationship with God, and they believe this is it. They could also be struggling with the commands of not coming against an elder w/o 2 or 3 witnesses [how many more then, for the almighty TB?] but in reality there are 100’s of hours of TV footage that would convict him of being a faker, manipulator, etc. Another aspect would be the unwillingness of the individual to have to stand up and admit they have been fooled or duped for so long that most want to just slink away quietly. Another aspect of it is the ostracism (sp?) that will result. TB is obviously very polarizing and to be cast out will mean having to deal with loss of friendships and the feeling of power but also having to come to grips with their own mistakes. This is typically accompanied by an extreme smear campaign so that others in the ministry will not be tempted to follow suit. There is a good book by Gene Edwards on recovering from spiritual abuse which eventually gets around to asking the victim, “What about this situation attracted you in the first place?” The answer to that question causes one to look at their own heart and see what the trigger was so they can repent of it and hopefully not fall into the same trap over and over again. [I'm sure some readers have issues with some of Gene's other books and I am not endorsing them by any means, but this particular one was quite helpful]
    I believe the problem with many of those who attach themselves to these ministries is their own feelings of self-inadequacy (this is why they are afraid) and the perceived need to feel important – the root of this is that old booger named Pride.
    Another aspect of this is that the leaders of these movements are usually so adept at lying and manipulation it is hard to get anything to stick. They dodge and weave and even if you can find someone over them who has any real control over them, they are reluctant to listen and act because they are usually complicit in the deal or they recognize the offending party won’t listen to them anyway. I believe the greater condemnation goes their way – but you are correct, we each have a level of accountability.

    Comment by GaryMezz | July 25, 2008

  20. Great informative site!
    Check mine out at:
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    Comment by fortyyearsinthewilderness | July 25, 2008

  21. [...] to start it were where insiders began to publicly back away. Charisma magazine’s Lee Grady, Robert Ricciardelli, a Member of Peter Wagner’s International Coalition of Apostles spoke on Salem Radio a US [...]

    Pingback by Todd Bentley and wife Shonna separate at Bene Diction Blogs On | August 12, 2008


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