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Dr. Michael Brown, Todd Bentley and the Charismatic Cover-Up

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"Fourth, church leaders are expected to live differently. God expects it and the church expects it. That doesn't mean we're perfect, but we are called to be above reproach, to be disciplined, godly and with a good reputation with outsiders (see 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Leaders, who by definition lead, should be able to say to others, "Follow me as I follow Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). We should be able to say, "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:9, ESV). And if and when we do fall short, we need to be quick to get things right with God and man. But, to say, "We all sin" or, "None of us has attained perfect maturity" is to make a mockery of the New Testament requirements of leadership and to diminish God's high standards." -- Dr. Michael Brown

Yes! Todd Bentley and his handlers over the years have made a mockery of God! That is entirely the point, yet you refuse to connect the dots back to the person this story is about! The man is banned from several countries including England! Does that sound like he has garnered a good reputation with outsiders? Would you consider this record above reproach? When is enough, enough for you Dr. Brown?

"Fifth, the internet is not the place to settle private scores with leaders or bring accusations about the personal lives of others. When we do so, we open up a Pandora's box where disgruntled believers can say anything about anyone, damaging (or even destroying) the lives of good men and women. (It is equally wrong when we spread unverified accusations against non-believers.) Not only so, but when we use the internet to bring charges and countercharges and accusations and defenses, we make ourselves a laughingstock before the world. This is incredibly ugly and grievous, and it must break the heart of God. -- Dr. Michael Brown

Yeah, no Dr. Brown. What breaks the heart of God is to have people claiming to hear from Him and speak to His angels while divorcing his wife to marry his secretary. What breaks His heart is to see a minister violently assault people and claim God told him to do so. What breaks His heart is you Dr. Brown. Providing cover for this vile man and do not think for a second that we cannot see this is what you are doing. I do not know Mr. Powell but he claims to have tried to resolve this matter personally with Rick Joyner who promptly ignored him and then accused him of witchcraft. So, save your faux piety regarding accusations made in public. Those accusations prompted a response and admission from Bentley. This is not a grudge issue Dr. Brown. Mr. Powell claims that God dealt with him on a new level regarding holiness and thus he felt he had to address the egregious conduct by someone pretending to be a minister. Where is your concern for the sheep? Where is your concern for his first wife? Or his interns? Or the child he assaulted when he was 13? What is ugly and grievous is the behavior of Bentley not those that would dare bring it to light. What makes us the laughingstock of the world is you Dr. Brown for even trying this milquetoast defense of the indefensible. Mercifully, Brown concludes:

We are just like the world when, in fact, we are called to be so different than the world. How far we have fallen from being salt and light! If you have legitimate concerns about a ministry or leader (for example, involving sexual or financial scandals) make every effort to find a solid, mature leader willing to take up the cause. It may take time, but it is far better to take that time than to turn the internet into the world's largest Christian gossip network. What a terrible shame. And if you know there are laws being broken and people actually being abused or assaulted, then by all means, go quickly to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. We cannot play games with people's lives. As a leader in the body, I understand that to whom much is given, much will be required. Because of that, I walk in the fear of the Lord, knowing that one day I will stand before God and give account (Rom. 14:12). All the more reason, then, that we get things right today, while we still have breath. The mercy of God is not to be trivialized." -- Dr. Michael Brown

Telling the truth about a sexual predator in the pulpit is not gossip. Considering the way the complex protects the brand at all costs, I do not begrudge Powell for choosing to go public. You also keep pretending as if he did not try to resolve this privately, which he did. Being salt and light does not mean covering up scandal and keeping it out of the public awareness. It actually means the opposite. That we police our own and maybe if the world saw us ever display true discipline they might think better of the Gospel too. The world sees that the Mark Driscoll's and Tully Tchividjian's have no business being pastors today yet they are. Other pastors and leaders in the church assisted them in this and that story cannot be whitewashed as Brown tries to do here. The whole NAR and purpose driven industrial complex is guilty here, including Dr. Brown. One can overlook inviting Bentley to Lakeland because we do believe God can save anyone. Once he was busted with his secretary, that should have been it. Instead two prominent leaders in Johnson and Joyner pretend to restore him. Joyner now admits that God told him Bentley was going to fall hard again. Yet with no concern for the sheep that would get slaughtered, Johnson and Joyner restore him and now just a few years later we see he has again defiled himself and the office, leaving a wake of victims in his path.

Yet Michael Brown, ever the apologist and gatekeeper thinks it is not time to throw stones and that the accuser is wrong for daring to tell the truth in public. This whole story makes me want to shower twice. Once for the original filth to wash away and a second time for those that continue to soil themselves in their defense of filth. Whether we are talking about the perpetrator or those that cover up his acts, God will not be mocked.

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Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to (more...)
 
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