Spiritual Subjectivism
August 14, 2008
Things have been goofy in Lakeland, Florida in recent months. Todd Bentley, the charismatic revivalist, prophet, and healer has brought his lunacy to Ignited Church. Check out this article in Christianity Today.
This points out the danger of, among other things, the spiritual subjectivism that is rampant in evangelicalism. When we begin to say, "Who are you to question my experience?" the inevitable outcome is Todd Bentley-type foolishness. But what is happening in Lakeland is not simply foolish. It is destructive. How many sick and hurting people have gone to see Bentley, only to not make it on the stage? How many people will live with the burden of being told that their cancer persists or their child died because they did not have enough faith?
This points out the danger of, among other things, the spiritual subjectivism that is rampant in evangelicalism. When we begin to say, "Who are you to question my experience?" the inevitable outcome is Todd Bentley-type foolishness. But what is happening in Lakeland is not simply foolish. It is destructive. How many sick and hurting people have gone to see Bentley, only to not make it on the stage? How many people will live with the burden of being told that their cancer persists or their child died because they did not have enough faith?