The evangelist at the centre of contentious revival meetings in Lakeland, Florida, has filed for separation from his wife.
Todd Bentley has also taken the decision to step down from the leadership of his organisation, Fresh Fire Ministries, which announced in a statement on its website that the evangelist had "entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff".
"On behalf of the Fresh Fire leadership and the Board of Directors, we wish to apologise to our friends and partners and to the larger body of Christ and to ask for your forgiveness," the statement said.
The heavily tattooed evangelist courted controversy in recent months as videos began circulating on the Internet, apparently showing Bentley at raucous revival meetings using violence to heal sick people in the audience and shove people to the ground whilst shouting 'Bam'. Critics have also questioned his claims of miraculous healing and raising people from the dead.
Chad Brand, professor of Christian theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, told Baptist Press, "What is plain is that he is teaching false doctrine and that the claims to his ministry's 'successes' seem pretty spurious."
Stephen Strang, the publisher of Pentecostal magazine Charisma, wrote in a column last week, "Anyone who baptises people in the name of the Father, the Son 'and BAM' is playing lightly with the Holy Spirit and is bordering on blasphemy."
Bentley and his wife, Shonnah, were in counselling for the last three years before their decision to separate. The Fresh Fire statement said that Bentley would "refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life".
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Friday, October 10, 2008, 5:21 (BST)
My heart goes out to you Vince from Atlanta. Because somewhere along the line you've been hurt and wounded by some injustice either in the church or elsewhere. I see no other rational for your apparent voice of Indignation. I do know this, I am a sinner by nature, unworthy of heaven if it weren't for the sanctified Blood of Jesus. I must take up my cross daily as we are all instructed to do and bear the burden of my sin nature as long as my heart still beats. It is by the Grace and Mercy of God that I still have a calling before me yet unfinished. When I accepted Jesus as my saviour, my need for the Gospel didn't cease, it increased. Paul said "I die daily" because he knew that he was still a sinner and needed the "check" of the Gospel to help him through life's trials and tribulations. So, I beg to differ, there is a need for the Gospel precisely because we are all sinners. There is a need for the Good News of Jesus Christ every day in the believer's life, and as far as you and I know, Todd Bentley is still a believer, a sinner in need of a His Grace and in need of brothers in Christ to pray for him and lift him up and encourage him that God still has a plan for his life and can bring him to complete restoration for His Glory. It is now up to Todd to take a position of repentance. And sometimes that's much easier said than done. We can post all day long and say whatever we want, but this is ultimately now a matter to be settled between Todd Bentley and God.
Stephen Pratt, Michigan
Added: Monday, October 6, 2008, 12:49 (BST)
God works in mysterious ways,why is this any differerent with Todd Bentley,we all sin and all sin is sin!,we are not exempt from judgement as jesus has warned us and God doesnt grade sin so are some of you who wrote in,above God?
carl clark, thetford u.k
Added: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 0:02 (BST)
God said, do not judge others, so you won't be judged. God looked upon the earth, and found not one righteous, all of us are sinners, and there has never been any human being upon this earth, that has not sinned. All of us are guilty to sin, and should be sent to hell, but through Jesus blood, we are forgiven, and on our way to heaven. When the mob was going to stone the woman that had committed adultery, Jesus came by, and said, the one that has never sinned may cast the first stone. The mob departed the area with shame. The mob in Israel, high minded, proud for no reason, scholars, teachers of the Bible, thought Jesus like Todd, was a threat to them, wherefore they planned to kill him. Hang him on a cross. I see the same story happening again. And who are these new pharisees, christian people, who say they believe in God's word. God is love, and the backbone of Christianity is to love one another. The mob is not Christians, because they do not know what love is. If there is a church that lack Divine Love for all souls everywhere, that Church do not come from God. If there is a Church member who does not love, he is not a Christian. Christian means to love Christ, and love all. And not carry hatred toward anyone, especially not toward Minister Todd Bentley. Apostle Paul, did kill a great many Christians, but God forgave him, and called him to ministry. Apostle Peter, denied Jesus three times. Jesus said, those who deny me, I will deny them in heaven. But Jesus forgave Peter, who built his own ministry. Mercy and grace, love and peace, friendship, brotherhood, a united church built on love, is what we need. If God have forgiven you, who is and was a sinner, don't you think that you have to forgive Todd Bentley, anointed by God, to preach the Gospel, around the world. If you interfere in God's plan, watch out! God has forgiven Todd for what he has done, as he did when you got saved and received his Holy Spirit. Now it's time to stop being a mobster. God bless you Todd, and keep on keeping on. This minister Loves you and your family and your church. And I together with millions of Christians want you back preaching, doing what God has ordained you to do! In His Love. JN Minister
Johan Nurmi, Murietta,USA
Added: Monday, September 29, 2008, 16:07 (BST)
While many argue back and forth about the type of man Todd Bentley is, many also forget that the Word says in the end time that many will be led astray by false prophets. If the teaching is so believable that people feel it is from the Lord, but there are aspects that do not line up with the Word of God, then it is not of God. Yes, God can use anyone and anything, but He will NEVER contradict himself. Remember in the last days there will be a great falling away. How can it be a falling away if they did not believe in the first place. Many will be decieved. If attention is given to man and not to God, then it is not of God. Satan can imitate very well. He is disguised as an angel of light. Always remember to search the scripture and see if it confirms what is going on. This is not judgement, but a call for discernment.
KC, Long Island, NY
Added: Friday, September 26, 2008, 23:36 (BST)
How abundantly we are blessed that so many have received the word of knowledge that this outpouring was a hoax..How blessed you feel taking the time to spread the very word GOD ha placed in your heart. Though most of you don't agree that's beside the point. What is so shocking however is the wretched spirit of Leviathan that riddles the Christian community without even the knowledge of the beast. What if by some remote chance your self righteous knowledge is wrong and this is actually a blaspheming of the works of Holy Spirit? Yikes! The spirit of Leviathan be rebuked in the name above all JESUS CHRIST!
jeff, jEROME, iDAHO
Added: Friday, September 26, 2008, 18:48 (BST)
We are always quick to see the speck on someone else's eye but fail to remove the plank in our eye. Yes, we are all sinners. If we were not then we would be saying that we are just as Holy as God. It's pains me to see the division betweeen believers in our country. There are many Christians that refuse to believe that God can still work in whatever way that He desires. Christians try to rationalize God's movement. His ways are not our ways. Let us pray for our brother Todd instead of condeming him. Let us also search deep inside of ourselves to find what is the root of condeming someone that is being used by God. Legalism has no place in the body of Christ. Let's rise up as sons and daughters of The Most High in unity and place our minor differences in denominations aside. I believe that when we unite as Christians, we will see this
country returned back to the Christian country it once was.
Francisco , Los Angeles, CA
Added: Friday, September 26, 2008, 18:33 (BST)
to all those who declare Todd to be a false prophet, to all those who judge the movement to be finally shown as bad...
Having heard about God using imperfect people? Have you heard about all the attacks Todd and his team received from all over the world, blasphemishing something people could not grasp with their own understanding? That heavy wight one has to carry with people judging and blaming, pretending to know?
People, please. Yes what Todd did is wrong. But that doesn't diminuesh the powerful work God has done trough him. How hard can we be! Are we all pharisears? Todd is not Jesus. But He definitely was used by God. Yes he made wrong decisions. But I think the burden he's no carryng is enough. Let us shut up and seek God for our own shake instead of blaming and judging.
JS, ZH, CH
Added: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 6:07 (BST)
God says, "Shut Up".
Brandon, Conroe ,Texas
Added: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 2:06 (BST)
No, Stephen Pratt, of Michigan, we are not all sinners. We all were at one time sinners, But those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ are no longer sinners. He who sins if of his father, the Devil. If we are of God, we can not be of the devil. Where is the command to "Be holy as God is holy"!!!
If we are all still sinners then there is not need for the Gospel and we may as well just live what ever way we see fit. Sounds like Todd Bentley did.
vince, Atlanta, Ga
Added: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 2:01 (BST)
It just follows that a false prophet would be involved in sexual sin. Todd Bentley has never been a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ or a leader of the church of God. We now judge for ourselves......God has pronounced judgement on this ungodly movement.
vince, Atlanta, Ga
Added: Sunday, September 21, 2008, 15:18 (BST)
As christians we must take first a Biblical stance regarding a fallen brother. We must pray for him and those in his family for complete restoration in Christ and then actually allow the Holy Spirit to do just that. Of course our hearts go out to those who have been decieved, (if any ) but we must remember that judging others is always easier than judging ourselves. Who can cast the first stone? Aren't we all sinners, unworthy, and don't we all fall short? I know there are high emotions when scandal touches the christian community especially on a national level, however, we must always let the Spirit rule the natural man and keep things in God's perspective. Righteous indignation only applies when the offender is unrepentant. In this case, we don't know where his heart is as of yet, so we must pray for him and encourage restoration.
Stephen Pratt, Michigan
Added: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 12:48 (BST)
David Ranger said:
"Lets not forget that even King David had some failings and how would we have reacted to his fall if we lived in those days?"
Don't EVEN compare King David to Todd Bentley. King David was the chosen king of Israel. Todd Bentley is a fake making money off of raping and rewriting the Gospel. King David didn't divorce his wife and was also quick to realize his wrongdoings. Todd Bentley continues to fall in the same areas and does nothing to change except what feeds his own lustful desires!
Stephen Duplantis, Winder, GA--US
Added: Friday, September 19, 2008, 19:59 (BST)
Cynthia Hickerson: What on earth does your comment mean? No one is suggesting Todd Bentley be killed. Read your bible a little more carefully. Your suggestion that we, because we are all sinners, should not make the accusation that others also sin is misguided and your choice of this "Christianism" is misapplied. We *are* called to judge - just not hypocritically.
Mark, Virginia
Added: Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 22:50 (BST)
Praise the Lord! Now those who have been deceived by this man can seek true deliverence in Christ! It's Christ alone! Avoid these men and this ministry!
Craig S., Lonsdale, MN
Added: Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 5:46 (BST)
Those whom are without sin cast the first stone.
Cynthia L. Hickerson, Dittmer,mo. United States
Added: Monday, September 15, 2008, 18:29 (BST)
I have been having such a strong burden for Todd and his family. My husband and I went to Lakeland 3 times and the blessings we recieved from GOD were life changing. I hurt for Todd and his family. God wants the unit healthy and happy and moving forward. Please pray with me for healing, restoration, forgiveness, joy and communication, for romance to return. GOD is so interested in our relationships, more than we are. God bless this family. Such anointing on all of them not just Todd.
Jackie Harper, Tallahassee, FL
Added: Sunday, September 14, 2008, 6:50 (BST)
1st of all wut does his tatoos got to do wit his belife in god just cuz he has them does not make him an automatic satan worshiper gosh just get off hiz back i went to 1 of his revivals and was blessed tremendisly so his personal demons are between him an god its not for us o judge and also ur a reporter read up on smiths wiggalsworth u might learn sumthing
lainie, louisville,ky
Added: Sunday, September 14, 2008, 4:24 (BST)
The Lord is preparing his bride, the church, and is purging and cleansing HIS CHURCH.
Judgment starts with the House of the Lord and I am sure that there will be more in the future.
People on this website are so defensive for sin, the article reads that the man stepped down
from his ministry, which means of he made this choice before God.
It also states that he has had problems in his marriage for three years, and the counseling, has not helped his marriage. Counseling provides outside insight to a problem, and obviously, one or both did not want to change things about themselves.
God can bring answers, but people have choices to make before the LORD.
This man was in great place and responsibility of ministry office before the Lord; and
To whom much is given, much is required; and he made some wrong choices that just did not effect he and his wife, but many many others who were to be touched by his life and ministry.
One thing is he has taken responsibility for it, and responded before the Lord to step down and have time before the LORD. Most ministers do not take this mature step, but have to forced out by some Media source.
People should spend less time being defensive, and by proactive and pray for him to be not only forgiven, but restored before the Lord.
The bible teaches that the calling of God is irrevocable, so as he submits himself to the Lord,
He will indeed revive HIS life and ministry just as the Lord does HIS church.
This should be all of our prayers.
DR, FL - USA
Added: Friday, September 12, 2008, 15:20 (BST)
Please continue to pray for Todd and his family. God will bring them and all affected through. It is not our place to judge but it is our place to pray and be Christ like. God grace and mercy is new and fresh everyday and He is the same God yesterday, today and forever!
God Bless
Colleen, DeLand - USA
Added: Thursday, September 11, 2008, 1:55 (BST)
Lord Jesus Christ is bringing forth His Kingdom rescue for Todd and also his ministeries. The call has come forth and Lord Jesus Christ is stepping in. What also needs to be dealt with is Christians persecuting other christians and that is what the emergency mission is. Todd is being given a mercy and rescue mission as well as everyone that also has suffered persecutions. Christians persecuting other christians is a sad affair.
Todds works were a part or our workings of preparing the field for Harvest and Florida was chosen some time ago. When people dishonour this, they also dishonour Christ's works with this, but through many different people all over the world in different nations. Todd is in error and so is every single Christian on the face of this planet,that is why we all need Lord Jesus Christ. Todd will be brought into Christ's healing sanctuary and we are also praying for him and all our family in Christ, because truth is we are looking at Lord Jesus Christ succeeding in not only Todd Bentley but also every single member of our family in Christ, no one will be missing. But errors will be dealt with and released in the blood of our Kingdom Lamb, united we stand, divided we fall.
Kingdom Mother Serenity Grace Abraham, Urbenville Australia
Added: Monday, September 8, 2008, 20:49 (BST)
It is very sad that any family should be broken and we must pray for these folk. However, where are all those men and women who commisioned Todd. On one hand they tell us they have the closest of relationships with God, many entertain angels. It does seem a bit strange to me that none of these angels told them about the time bomb they were all sitting on at Lakeland. Where are they all now?
B Howkins, Midhurst England
Added: Sunday, August 31, 2008, 15:53 (BST)
Todd has blessed me so much with teaching about Jesus, angels and third heaven encounters.
Lets not forget that even King David had some failings and how would we have reacted to his fall if we lived in those days?
Where sin abounds.........Grace abounds.
David. Ranger, Hastings Canada
Added: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 10:50 (BST)
I am utterly saddened and chastened. Let us pray for Todd, his wife and the other party.
I remember, while on a preaching assignment for three weeks in the Philippines in a series of revival meetings at various churches, preaching everyday, except Mondays and some days twice, once thrice, I was almost completely exhausted by the third week, physically, mentally and even spiritually, yet it was the third week when He poured out even more, His blessings to His people, the congregation, with more, coming out crying at the altar call and more, falling under His Spirit's power. I knew it wasn't me, but that HE would not with-hold His blessing from His beloved people.
That is the measure of His love, despite and inspite of weakness/es of His servant/s. We bow before this all merciful, all loving God and the Saviour of the mankind, Jesus Christ.
ong siong kai, Jakarta, Indonesia
Added: Sunday, August 24, 2008, 23:25 (BST)
God will not give His glory to anyone. Where is our discernment, and why are we so easly deceived? Todd, there is forgiveness with the Lord.
Lynn Rosaasen
Rev. Lynn M. Rosaasen, Killam, AB Canada
Added: Friday, August 22, 2008, 1:41 (BST)
Judge not and you will not be judged
Dianne Warren, west monroe< La
Added: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 9:55 (BST)
What a painful story is... Christian's life should be a role model to all man kind. No matter what kind of great works you do at ministry if your life collapses everything starts to break down.
Tim B, United Kingdom
