An Eye-Witness Report on the
Canadian Escapades of the “Holy Ghost Bartender”

by Yves Brault

In this day and age as frantic spiritual manifestations attract the masses, becoming wilder as present-day religious leaders continually offer greater spiritual and physical benefits to their flock, an ever-increasing disregard for biblical principles and doctrines pervades the Church while many call these days the greatest revival we have ever known.

While the gifts of the Spirit are greatly emphasized, the fruit is rarely even mentioned. The word “anointed” has become the religious sales pitch of the nineties. There are anointed preachers, anointed singers, anointed messages, anointed praise-a-thons. Everything seems to be anointed—with a catch. True, we “have an anointing from the Holy One,” and “we have received an anointing which abides in us” (1 John 2:20, 27), but the meaning often carries a sense of “getting” it by attending some special kind of meeting and giving a certain sum of money in return.

The phenomenon of being “slain in the Spirit” has become commonplace, particularly in well-orchestrated demonstrations of laying on of hands that include a “catcher” behind the one being prayed over. Of course, that person is well aware that the catcher will gently deposit him on the floor. This sense of safety is essential. I myself, volunteered on a regular basis in those sessions. It always bothered me to see the abuse of the practice. It becomes a show where the preacher lays flat a follower as the gladiator of old would overcome a captive. Many times you can hear an “ouch” as the individual hits somebody or the floor too hard. Or you can see those on the floor waving their hands or positioning themselves more comfortably. If they’re conscious enough to feel pain or move their body, they’re conscious enough to remain standing.

The laughing phenomenon has had a phenomenal impact since the early nineties. It is characterized by uncontrollable laughter and is often accompanied by body jerking, convulsions, spinning, or in other cases catalepsy, or even slumber. Interestingly, the Bible doesn’t mention these phenomena as being a norm for Christian living. Laughter and joy are discussed aplenty, but no ecstatic physical contortions of this nature is said to manifest an inward feeling of joy.

One may argue that such effects will not hurt, that although there might be some abuse caused by excess zeal from the part of the followers or lack of control from the part of the leaders, as a whole the Church can only benefit from this laughter revival. But ultimately any doctrine or action that has no basis in the Bible should raise concern. If it’s not found in the Bible, where does it come from? In this case, if the source is not the Holy Spirit, there are only two options left: the flesh, and darkness.

A number of believers blame the devil or demons for causing wild physical demonstrations. While it is true in some cases, the main agents are manipulative techniques that stimulate the flesh, or carnal nature, whose works are contrary to the Spirit. Several works of the flesh are listed in Galatians 5:19-21. They are in sharp contrast with the fruit of the Spirit. Paul also tells us not to partake with those whose practices are not fitting for the saints (Ephesians 5:3-7), and admonished us “not to have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (vv. 8-11).

One has to realize that hysterical laugher, twitching, uncontrollable body spasms and the like occur in metaphysical pagan and other non-Christian groups. The manipulative technique “mesmerism” defined as the capacity to raise the emotional state of an individual or a crowd by different means, to an abnormal but controllable intensity, frequently causes faintings, convulsive movements, immoderate laughter, piercing cries, slumber, and so forth. Sometimes this technique is even used in the name of God, that is, disguised with Christian terminology. We could even say that we’re experiencing a revival of this technique. This is mainly due to an overemphasis on “signs and wonders,” an obsession with sensational experiences, and a disregard for true Christian doctrines, character and living.

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Här är Jens Garnfelt och Rodney HOWARD-BROWNE i Köpenhamn.

Jens är "uppfostrad" i "församlingen" Livets Ord.

HÄR är Garnfeldt i "församlingen" Arken.

HÄR på Jesusfestivalen skriker Jens ut sitt "budskap".  Festivalen arrangerad av Börje och Britt Claesson Citykyrkan Älmhult - vilka även har Kanal 10. 

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Did you know that it is disobedience to believe everyone who comes in Christ’s name?