Maintaining Perspective

Joel Edwards (General Director of the Evangelical Alliance) wrote an open letter (10/06/08) including some pointers and advice regarding the events in Florida. Since it has stirred such great debate it is necessary to maintain perspective rather than be side-tracked with details that tend to lead towards judgement and argument. These pointers may be useful to you:

Dear Colleagues in Christ,

I suspect that many of you have watched with interest the recent
developments in Lakeland, Florida. Unusual things have been taking place in
Todd Bentley’s church, and they now seem to be spreading to other parts of
the world, including the UK.

I’ve spoken to a number of our members who are overjoyed at what they
perceive to be the latest outpouring of God’s spirit. Others, though, have
expressed their concern at what is happening and particularly the kind of
appeals that have been made on TV and the Internet.

Inevitably, all of this reminds me of the struggles we all had at the
Alliance at the time of Toronto. And I simply don’t yet know how I feel
about all that is going on in Florida. There are aspects that make me
rejoice, and others that make me uneasy. However, at the time of Toronto, I
drew up the following list of principles that it seems to me have enduring
relevance. I share them again with you now so that together we can remain
united around our one common cause: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Evangelicals should make every effort to measure all spiritual phenomena
by Biblical criteria. In every case, the devotional hallmarks of holiness,
prayer and witness provide reliable indicators of authentic moves of God.

2. We also acknowledge that the current phenomenon is not new. During the
eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries revivals associated
with respected figures such as Jonathan Edwards, Wesley, Whitefield and the
Jeffreys were also characterised by unusual events which attracted
controversy and blessings.

3. We rejoice with those who testify to a deeper level of commitment and joy
as a result of their experience but would equally urge them to avoid
excessive behaviour which may discredit the Gospel or distance those who
genuinely seek an encounter with God.

4. Whilst we would caution against indiscriminate enthusiasm, we would
equally urge Evangelicals to avoid preclusive or condemnatory behaviour
which dismisses all unusual events out of hand.

5. Finally, we would advocate the Gamaliel principle; if the phenomenon is
genuinely of God it will certainly bear lasting fruit.

Evangelical Alliance Preliminary Statement on the Toronto Blessing (1994)

In addition, Jonathan Edwards’ reflections on the kind of tests we should
use in evaluating any apparent movement of God remain valuable.

Does it raise people’s estimation of Jesus Christ?

Does it operate against the interests of Satan?

Does it lead to a greater regard for Scripture and truth?

Does it result in a greater awareness of and seriousness about the things of
God?

Does it lead to a greater love for God, for other Christians and for the
wider world?

Finally, as Luke makes clear, the purpose of God pouring out his Spirit on
the day of Pentecost was not so much to give the disciples a wonderful
experience, but rather to empower them in mission. Whatever we make of
events in Florida, the most important thing is that we retain our focus on
our joint mission to reach this nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Whatever else, let us keep that at the forefront of everything we do.

Every Blessing

Joel Edwards – General Director, Evangelical Alliance