B] The Historical Root System

The second half of this evaluation looks at the historical root system behind the Toronto Blessing. Of the various main streams of influence, there are three I will emphasise. Each come, by different routes, from the same fountainhead - the concept of 'revelation knowledge' being available to 'spiritual' people, and the ensuing seduction into elitist thinking; ie. that there are 'higher' (and therefore, by implication, also 'lower') levels of spirituality within Christ's body, the Church. These are;

1] The Latter Rain Movement
2] The Word-Faith Movement
3] The Vineyard Movement

Each of these really could do with a separate publication of their own. How such seemingly diverse movements could share such fundamental commonality at this juncture of Church history is really quite fascinating. Rather than trying to duplicate the work effectively done already by others, I will mention other resources already available, and add some personal observations. Copies of other reference works mentioned are available upon request.

A schematic view of the root system follows. The point to be drawn is that certain teachings, attitudes, and influences, central to the existence of fringe heretical groups - that would have previously been rejected out-of-hand by orthodox groups - have been 'filtered' through a more 'laid back user-friendly' movement, the Vineyard Movement, without altering their fundamental errors. They have, by this middle filter, slipped into the mainstream of much orthodox Christianity. The consequence of this (which could only happen in a generation when style is more important than substance, and anecdotal evidence more important than written Scripture) is that mainstream Christianity is in the process of a powerful seduction, a la that already described in the first section.

THE ROOT SYSTEM DIAGRAMMATICALLY

Gnostic 'flashes' of revelation divine spark experiences ê						Other Significant Influences
New Thought Metaphysics ê
E. W. Kenyon revelation knowledge ê
Kenneth Hagin Rhema Word-Faith Movement ê		Latter Rain revelationary ministry ê		Revelationary knowledge some personal appearings of Jesus ê
Kenneth Copeland ê		William Branham ê		Bob Jones ê		Kathryn Kuhlman ê		Quakerism Fuller College ê
Rodney Howard Browne ê		Paul Cain ê		Kansas City Prophets ê		Benny Hinn ê		Peter Wagner John Wimber (died 1997) ê
These all have had some influence into the Toronto Blessing , and its variegated offspring and significant influence, through it into,
ê Traditional Pentecostal - Elim (UK, NZ), AOG (Australia), Apostolic.	ê Latter Rain origin Pentecostal - Waverley C/F, Some NLC's		ê Independent Pentecostal - via 'Prophetic' emphasis		ê 'Faith' emphasis Pentecostal - COC, CLC, CCC, Rhema Churches		ê Charismatic Mainline - some Anglican, Baptist, Churches of Christ, etc.		ê Some Conservative Evangelicals - Churches of Christ, Baptist, Independent

1] The Latter Rain Movement
This is the one, as mentioned earlier in Personal background, I am most familiar with. The outbreak of the first 'Canadian Blessing' in 1948 was prophetically declared to be a harbinger of the Second Coming, and a preparation move to usher in the "manifested sons of God" who would "harvest the grain". Behind it was the belief in the literal perfection of (some) Christians [footnote #15].  This perfected class of overcomers would be the key to the last great revival.

Interestingly, as the Toronto Blessing unfolded, much stronger echoes of this were heard from the Vineyard movement. Riss makes direct reference to the Toronto Blessing having to originate from Canada, as the fulfilment of an early prediction in 1948, and that the second wave of latter rain (the 'second Pentecost') would later emerge from Canada.

Quoting from Tricia Tillin's article
James Watt writes: "In a sense, the fulfilment of the Feast of Tabernacles came forth with the blowing of trumpets from North Battleford ... the time of restitution of all things is about to take place. According to Paul Yonggi Cho of Korea and twenty other prophets, the last great move of the Spirit will originate IN CANADA, and, by seventy Canadian cities, will be brought to the 210 nations of the earth before Jesus returns.

Marc Dupont, of the Toronto Vineyard, writes that he sees Toronto as one of the major wellsprings for world revival. He claims to have received a significant prophecy in May 1992 and June 1993 of a mighty wave starting in Toronto and flowing powerfully out eastwards across Canada. He likens the present renewal to the John the Baptist ministry, heralding the coming of Christ, and believes that it will lead to major revival, in the Western nations between the years 2000 and 2005, (Reports in Mantle of Praise article and Alpha magazine September 1994.).

Then he makes this intriguing statement: "This move of the Spirit in 1994 is not just a Charismatic and Pentecostal experience, concerning power or gifting. It is one thing to be clothed with power; it is another to be indwelt with the Person of God".

The First Pentecost caused believers to be "clothed with power from on high". The Second Pentecost is about the Incarnation of Christ into His Body. To spiritualise the scriptures, as all Latter Rain teachers do, it is about the return of the Ark to the Temple! The Coming of Christ (invisibly) into his Living Temple, the Church. This takes place, according to the doctrine, at the "Feast of Tabernacles"- which celebrates the Lord dwelling with His people. When this happens, no longer will it be the Head (Jesus Christ) in Heaven and the Body (believers) on earth - but One Perfect Man filling both heaven and earth. This is what Latter Rain teachers said we must expect in the final Outpouring of the Church age!  [Copies of the full article are available]

Since the first publication of this booklet, Latter Rain influences have continued to spread widely through the Charismatic/Pentecostal movement.

2] The Howard-Browne / Faith Movement Connection
Rodney Howard-Browne (RHB), far and away, has been the principal agent for spreading the influence of the "Blessing". The outbreak at Toronto Airport Vineyard can be traced back to involvement of the Arnotts with people influenced by Howard-Browne (as well as their long-term association with another [former] Toronto resident, Benny Hinn). In his personal testimony, Howard-Browne makes much of his encounter with the Holy Spirit in South Africa some years ago, and his reception of the ability to knock people down as a result of this power encounter.

However, Howard-Browne's connections with the Rhema / Hagin / Copeland movement are much less publicised. Little attention seems to be paid to Howard-Browne's upbringing in the Faith Movement (One source told me his father had been active in pastoral ministry in it), attendance at Rhema Bible College, or the critical connecting of Arnotts, Randy Clark, and RHB through their common contact with Kenneth Copeland's ministry at Forth Worth, Texas.

The 'father - guru' figure of Copeland looms powerfully behind RHB in the 35 minute video extract on Alan Morrison's critique, "The Toronto Blessing - is it?"  [footnote #16].  Richard Riss has written a fairly extensive biography of RHB as part of his publication, "The Nth American Revival of 1994" (posted on the Internet). He positively reviews recent events, but again, omits the Copeland connection.

Howard-Browne visited Sydney first in February 95. His meetings culminated in powerful spiritual manifestations, with him touching people, and yelling, "FILL!", and "MORE!" over them. No mention of Jesus was made at this stage of proceedings. He insisted people don't pray, just receive!

My wife and I were personally repulsed by the showmanship Browne exhibited (I called his ministry a "demonstration sport worthy of the Sydney Olympics"), as well as the clever use of rhetoric to build mesmerism into his audience - eg. stories of what happened last time he did it...; invention of a hypothetical onlooking critic who gets labelled a "Pharisee", followed by sarcastic references to him to get the audience on side, encouragement to "not judge this with your mind, but with your heart", chasing his catchers up the aisle until they were caught and floored, etc.

His second visit, three months later, was with the full blessing of the AOG national Executive, who invited him to be their (only) National Conference speaker in Brisbane. A friend in ministry, who attended, became convinced RHB, the Toronto Blessing, et al, were authentic after RHB blew over his section of the congregation (audience?) and he actually felt a wind blow past him (he was up the back among some 8000 people).

Interestingly, as Jacob Prasch states in his series, "What is happening to the AOG?" (copies available), the Australian AOG are now wholeheartedly embracing the essence of the Latter Rain movement, which they declared heretical in 1950. He says that "over-realised eschatology (which is at the core of the triumphalist Faith Movement heretical teachings) has found its way into the mainstream Pentecostal movement". Promises previously taught as awaiting the Second Coming of Jesus before they could be fully realised, are now totally available for those with the faith to step out and believe  [footnote #17].

3] The Vineyard Connection
Vineyard is a unique movement, by any standards. It is commonly perceived to be a 'laid back', gentle spirited, inclusive (as against 'exclusive') stream. I have heard this description used several times, as a commendation of John Arnott and his teachings (as recently as October 99, from people who attended his Catch the Fire campaign at Waverly CF in Melbourne). As noted previously, style, rather than substance, is the criteria of our post-modern religious culture, as well as in our surrounding secular culture.

Some of the important root influences in the Vineyard Movement are;

1. The Vineyard’s third wave teachings that distinguish it from the Pentecostal stream (and, to a lesser extent, the charismatic stream);
2. The influence of the "Prophets" in Vineyard - Bob Jones and Paul Cain in particular; and their heavy emphasis on the prophetic in general;
3. Vineyard’s perceptions of its role in God’s endtime scenario;
4. John Wimber’s origins in the Quaker Movement;
5. The influence of Fuller Seminary.

I regard the first three as primary and the last two as secondary in importance.

1] What is the "Third Wave"?
Peter Wagner coined the term to describe a post-Pentecostal, post-Charismatic move of the Holy Spirit that emphasises signs and wonders accompanying the (evangelical) gospel [refer footnote #18 for a full, formal definition]. The Pentecostal teaching of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as a subsequent experience to conversion, is denied. The place of tongues, as evidence of the inner experience, is downplayed. Refer to the extract written by Wimber, from Kevin Springer's book, The Third Wave, which highlights these differences. I am constantly surprised by the number of Pentecostal leaders who (wrongly) think Vineyard is essentially a Pentecostal (or Charismatic) Movement. It is definitely NOT, and neither are its offspring when it comes to replacing the believer's reception of the Holy Spirit baptism with receptions of the "Blessing", which are neither permanent, nor once for all, nor primarily accompanied by the normative NT evidence of speaking in tongues (which is replaced by manifestations more at home in Kundalini energy [Kriya] transmissions).

2] the Prophetic Influence
The Toronto Blessing is not the first major influence Vineyard had on the wider body of Christ, but rather the third. The first was the use of the power of the Spirit in witness and healing.  The second was the role of the prophetic ministry. The influence of the ‘school of the prophets’ (including Jones, Cain, etc.) on their Movement, has been widely acknowledged by Vineyard leaders.

Bob Jones, from Kansas Metro Vineyard, was reported to regularly receive visits from Jesus in person. He was later disciplined in 1991 for sexual misconduct and manipulation [footnote #19].

Paul Cain exercised great influence over Vineyard’s direction. His guru-type status was plainly evident in the Sydney 1990 Spiritual Warfare convention. An air of mystique has surrounded his role as a revelator of Jesus’ will. I personally heard Wimber declare to his Anaheim congregation (a.m. service 31/12/89) that Jesus had appeared to Paul Cain, and told him He had chosen Vineyard as His vehicle for the restoration of apostles and prophets to the last days church. Wimber presented this with appropriate awe, and the effect on the congregation was indeed awesome!

David Pytches biography of Cain, Some Say It Thundered contains enlightening detail re the origin of Cain’s prophetic gift. Pytches relates the familial nature of the gift of seeing - his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all had it too!  [footnote #20]   And he had it, including angelic visitations, from a young age. Such hereditary transmission of gifts and/or ministries of the Spirit is unknown in the NT. However anyone who has dealt with deliverance from clairvoyant or psychic spirits knows that they are usually transmitted through hereditary lines (normally in the female line). Similarly Pytches description of Jesus appearing to Cain in a hooded monk’s cowl expressing His displeasure in Cain wanting to get married (and sharing his affections) is plainly outside the NT limits. Singleness is chosen; "forbidding to marry" is called a work of deceiving spirits [see 1 Tim 4:1-3].

3] Perceptions of Vineyard’s Endtime Rôle
These are covered under 2] above. A strong sense of ‘chosenness’ exists. The Third Wave is on the cutting edge of the new thing God is doing. Incipient elitism is, by far, the enemy’s most dangerous tool to destroy a movement.

An excellent Insider's account of this appeared as a Preface in Hank Hanegraaff's book (published in 1997), Counterfeit Revival, by Tom Stipe, a former member of the Nth American Vineyard leadership [A copy of Stipe's comments are accessible on a separate file]. His comments express in detail much of what we wrote here (in 1995). He also adds an Insider's view on the control mechanisms at work in the National Vineyard structure, and the descent into spirit guidance that occurs when there is a misuse of the prophetic realm for direction and identification of (future) ministry placement. (My own wry observation is that like past-lives mediumship, the Prophetic seems to invariably overstate the importance the recipient of the prophecies is going to have in the last great move of God! We can't all be called to be apostles or prophets or stronghold-breakers… Surely, some are called to be regular, effective local church members….)  [footnote #21].

4] Wimber’s Origins in the Quaker Movement
John Wimber was converted in 1963. He fellowshipped in the Quaker Movement until 1975, serving as co-pastor of Yorba Linda Friends Church for five years. His emphasis on the power of the Spirit through signs and wonders became widespread through his association with Peter Wagner’s course at Fuller Seminary.

Quakerism (so named not because of shaking, but their call for magistrates to tremble at the word of God) began as a reaction to the experientially-dead Biblicism of the Puritans (the conservative evangelicals of the 1600’s). Fox and others asserted the validity of the inner experience of the work and illumination of the Holy Spirit for every believer.

Interestingly (and sadly), both Quakerism and the Shakers (mentioned below) later succumbed to a tendency to drift into spiritualism (ie. seduction by deceiving religious spirits / angels of light), through their emphasis on the inspirational side of the Christian life which later overrode the rôle and authority of the written Scriptures. The Quaker Movement in Australia is nowadays nothing more than a spiritualist group. This has effectively removed it from the orthodox Christian church and has seen it become more of a peace movement. However, apparently the Quaker Churches in the USA have not degenerated this far.

The relevance here is noting the strong similarities between the seminal Quaker emphasis on the inner principle of guidance and the Vineyard’s emphasis on the place of the prophetic word. I believe both are proper in their place, but that the historical decline of Quakerism towards deceiving spirits is always a possibility in such an environment, and must be continually guarded against by a proper view of the rôle and authority of Scripture, by which all prophetic utterings are judged.

5] the Role of Fuller Seminary
During my three-month sabbatical in Nth America in 1989/90, I regularly heard the criticism from pastors, "Vineyard doesn’t mix". I was told several times that one of the perceived differences between Vineyard and conventional Pentecostal churches was their view of the Scriptures - ie. The word of God is in the Bible, but the whole Bible is not necessarily the Word of God. I found this hard to validate. Some evidences of this arose through personal contact with Seattle Vineyard leadership, who, for instance, attributed Adam and Eve to symbolic myth.

Dan Tappeiner (a PhD graduate of Fuller’s Theology course) told me in an interview, that Fuller’s view of the Scriptures had been white-anted by staff appointments who held the "God’s word is in the Bible, but the Scriptures are not necessarily all God’s word" view. Just how far this influence in emphasis goes, I am unable to say, but sloppy use of biblical exegesis by the Vineyard Movement's so-called theologians is not a healthy sign for the future of the Movement and its offspring. In fact, they have returned to the classic Latter Rain trick of eisagesis, rather than exegesis. This, of course, is entirely justified by the concept of revelation knowledge commented on previously. God "quickened" a word, and then we go hunt up some Scripture verses (usually way out of context) to back up what we have already made up our minds about!!  [footnote #22]

Vineyard Worldwide
John Wimber announced (in December 94) God had told him to set up a world wide network of Vineyard churches - after earlier refusals to do so (under the guidance of the same Holy Spirit....). The popularity of the Blessing should see a rapid growth after this turnaround in direction, despite the fact that Wimber himself, after a long fight with cancer, is now confined to a wheelchair since being crippled by a stroke in January 95. [2000 update - after announcing that God had told him he would not die, but would live to see the ushering in of the last great endtime revival (reported by NZ Challenge newspaper), John Wimber died in 1997]. He was very, very wrong....  He was deceived....

2000 Update: Vineyard commenced in Australia in 1995. After an initial rapid addition of various churches and leaders (some well-known), the movement seems to have fallen foul of one of the historical problems associated with Latter Rain mentioned earlier - continual division over all kinds of issues. Many of the leaders and churches have since pulled out. An educated "outsider's" guess would be that Vineyard International's highly centralised control structure doesn't sit well with the cultural Australian distaste for excessive authority either.

4]  The Peter Wagner / Cindy Jacobs emerging influence [2004]

The continued growing influence of Wagner (and his personal prophetess, Cindy Jacobs) needs to be added now to the first three.  Wagner's ability to disseminate ideas (mostly not his own, but he is a master of communication skills) has made him a powerful figure in recent developments from the Third Wave / Prophetic movement.

We're still updating this bit, folks.....

Other Coalescing Influences

The Shakers' Heritage
There are similarities between the Toronto Blessing and certain aspects of the Shaker Movement that grew out of Quakerism in the 1700’s, under Mother Ann Lee. The Shakers had a strong emphasis on realized eschatology (including millennial perfectionism), elitism, strong physical manifestations that included shaking, animal noises, tongues, visions, and healing gifts. 

New Age and Hinduism - Kundalini Energy / Power
New Age similarities and Hinduistic associations are rife in the "flowing of the River". These have been amply covered by other researchers who have published on the Internet, (URL's available on request). The rising of the Kundalini power, and its associated supernatural, ecstatic manifestations, are of considerable interest in the present discussion. Kriyas (manifestations) experienced as the Kundalini serpent power moves upward within the recipient of the shakti-pat (touch of the guru's hand), can overwhelm the recipient with ecstasy, violent shakings and noises, etc. [footnote #23]   As mentioned earlier, Dave Hunt has already covered the startling similarities between certain branches of Hinduism and the "new move of God". [footnote #24]

Jill Austin
The Blessing (as it’s come to be called) did not start in Toronto. Waves of similar manifestations preceded it in New Zealand (and from there into Australia) in 1993. These too had their genesis in Vineyard USA, via Jill Austin.  She ministered throughout COC churches in Australia. Reports of similar manifestations accompanied her ministry here.  [footnote #25]

Benny Hinn
Guy Chevreau mentions in his book, Catch the Fire, the significant impact on John and Carol Arnott, senior ministers of Airport Vineyard, of Kathryn Kuhlman and later on, Benny Hinn - Hinn began in Toronto (p21). He says John Arnott has been a friend of Hinn for several years, "longing for a similar kind of empowerment...." (p22). The practice of ‘falling under the power’ happened to the Arnotts, after an Argentinian AOG minister prayed for them. He, in turn, had returned from a Benny Hinn meeting.

Christian critics, have roundly condemned Benny Hinn's theology of the Holy Spirit after the publication of his book, the Anointing. Again, the concept of the person of the Holy Spirit is overtaken by the view that a Christian can take "it" (ie. the "Anointing"), and use "it" for expressions of power gifting, including making people fall down. Hinn was reported in New Day magazine as having repented publicly of his heretical views, but that later reports indicated he was still preaching them.  [footnote #26]

(2000 Update) Benny Hinn's influence has grown enormously since I first published this booklet. The Australian AoG brought him to Australia as their bi-annual National Conference speaker in 1997. His masterly television productions are gaining increasing influence among The Blessing followers. His ability to stun and slay very genuine people seems to over-ride the fact that no one actually gets healed or delivered on camera. The reports seem to be always of what happened off camera. The orchestrated nature of Hinn's performances shows through in such things as the fact that he is invariably the only one on stage in a white suit, while all his myriad support crew always wear dark colours.  So Benny really stands out!  They are surrounded by wheelchairs that you didn't see anyone get out of, etc.

Other writers have published critiques of Hinn's well-publicised visit to Kuhlman's grave where he soaked up the anointing from her bones. He has also been accused of necromancy after his description of her spirit visiting him after her death.  [footnote #27]

Poor Quality Exegesis
We mentioned this relating to the Vineyard Movement. The poor quality exegesis of so-called proof texts and Jonathan Edwards' writings needs further scholarship. The possibility of deliberate out-of-context references has been raised by some scholars. Eisagetical use of bible texts was a common feature during our own involvement in Latter Rain. It works on the underlying idea that 'revelation knowledge' is more important than study, and provides the keys to interpret the written word (hence the frequent appeal to types and shadows). You work backwards for your 'proofs'. 

·        Pensacola / AoG
I have not directly addressed the Pensacola offspring (the AoG's own Toronto Blessing). A video of the initial Fathers' Day "outpouring" given to me by a very excited New Life minister was enough. Steve Hill got hit at Holy Trinity in London (the main Toronto Blessing centre in the UK), came to Pensacola and transferred the Blessing.. He laboured for an hour with extreme intensity before the Blessing started jumping people. Catatonic trances, spastic actions, hysterical laughter and shrieks were all present.  [footnote #28]

There has been more preached word than in Vineyard circles - along with "spiritual releases" as the shofar horn is blown… But a reading of PORTAL IN PENSACOLA, by Renee DeLoriea, editor of Feast of Fire, the magazine of revival published by Brownsville AoG, is more than sufficient to show the same root system underneath this variant of the Toronto Blessing (in her book she joyfully relates how she'd halved her Prozac intake with the help of the Blessing!!...).

In Australia, since the advent of the Blessing in the mid-90's (particularly through David Cartledge and Southern Cross College), the AoG has opened their doors to all kinds of "prophetic" ministries that have shifted the old AoG emphasis on the Scriptures to a success-focussed gospel that bears little resemblance to the New Testament model of ministry and church life (especially the place of suffering).  Since Cho's impact in the early 80's, the AoG has been deeply influenced by church growth goals - regardless of Cho's use of Eastern meditation, visualisation, and Korean cultic-control techniques,  The numbers attracted justify the change...  [footnote #29]

Other Observations

Control of the Anointing
Another remarkable aspect of the Toronto Blessing and its offspring is that leaders of the movement seem to be able to dictate when and where it will occur.

Benny Hinn can announce that the Holy Spirit will enter the auditorium in five minutes through a particular (pointed out) door, and in five minutes people near that aisle start manifesting, swooning, etc, as He / It arrives. (The Holy Spirit needs a "door" to enter a building???!!!). In the early 90's, Clark Taylor announced to the Australian Pentecostal Conference (at Frank Houston's CLC, Sydney) that the "anointing" was on one particular spot up the front, and if we would run to that spot, we would receive the anointing. One man sprinted up the aisle and was violently poleaxed onto his back as he arrived on the spot. (Taylor was subsequently dismissed from COC leadership for adulteries that were ongoing even while he was ministering this "anointing" at that Conference).

I visited one multiple-service church in January 95 for their final meeting of four for the Sunday. People were spilling out from the third, at which the emphasis had been on their famous upbeat music. My query is, "if this is really our Sovereign Lord at work.... 1) how come He 'falls' at one meeting out of four in the same Church on the same day? And not at the other three?.... 2) why don't the leaders (and people) want the refreshing to overtake the whole church program - even if only for a short period? The reasons proffered to explain this all seem to put the sovereignty in men's hands, not God's. [footnote #30]

Derek Prince, in 'Uproar in the Church' (1994) comments, "Witchcraft is the attempt to control people and get them to do what you want by the use of any spirit that is not the Holy Spirit. And if anyone has a spirit he can USE, it is not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, and NO ONE uses God."

Loss of Self-Control
There have been frequent reports of cataleptic, involuntary actions accompanying some of the manifestations. I have read extensively the writings claiming to authenticate these scripturally. To me, they are poorly exegeted attempts to 'shoehorn' various texts. There is little evidence in the NT. to validate involuntary or cataleptic states. The work of the New Covenant revolves around the cooperation between the Holy Spirit and the will of the believer. I have heard of verified accounts where people have had their necks and backs put out by spastic jerking they couldn’t stop.  [footnote #31] Nowhere in the NT is there an account of numbers of ordinary believers being laid out, going into a trance-like state, or losing their self-control.

This is another area where poor handling of the Scriptures has turned a fruit of the Spirit 180^O around; now a LOSS of self-control is a quality to be sought after… (unlike Galatians 5:23 and Titus 2:11-12).  During my trips to Africa, I have noticed the local ministers who are dealing with catatonic demonic trance situations, without exception, place the Blessing manifestations in the realm of the demonic. [footnote #32]

Long Term Proofs of the Holy Spirit's Work
Charismatic phenomena of themselves are not necessarily proofs of the Holy Spirit origin of a movement in the spiritual realm. . This includes genuine healings and accurate prophecies.  [footnote #33] Mikhael Nader recounts the amazing healings recorded by a pioneer evangelist of the Mormon Church (New Day March 95). In my view, three criteria together verify the origins of a spiritual movement;

1. it’s consistent with written Scripture - ie. the overall message, not just an isolated passage;
2. God ultimately looks good; He gets glory through the outworking;
3. 2.      The people involved reveal, over the long term, greater fruit of the Spirit; that is, Christ’s character.

Why Do Some People Accept This And Others Don't?
Here are some anecdotal observations (very subjective) gathered over the past five years. They are not true in every case, but indicate some common threads that may help answer the question, "why do some Christians accept this and others do not?"

1. The bottom line Jesus said, is hearing His Word and putting it into practice (loving the truth) - this keeps His people safe from deception. Most of the leaders who have not publicly refused to accept the Blessing as being a valid move of God, were already known for their strong Bible-centred ministry.
2.  A desire to grow in size and influence, at almost any cost. The tendency of such a view is to ease off the authority of the Word over experience.  I call this the "lust for recognition" (having been guilty of it myself for many years).
3. The pursuit of money, its handling and carefulness in accountability (including to the laws of the land). As someone with formal training in accounting, I have watched with trepidation some leaders play around with tax exemption definitions, income tax expense allowances, public Government funding, etc. Improper money dealings blind religious minds to discernment of other fraudulent elements. (Interestingly, sexual misconduct is often preceded by financial immorality in ministry [and in the secular world]). 

Some Predictions
If, in fact, the Toronto Blessing has come from a deceiving religious spirit root, the following ongoing situations are possibilities.

•  A coming wave of problems as 'Blessing' recipients find themselves battling with sexual sin and temptation - not understanding why. This is the most common byproduct of deceiving religious spirits (as Israel found out!). Kundalini experiences, particularly, are intertwined with the sexual drive (in Tantric yoga especially). Furthermore, such an emphasis on sensuality, at other times in church history, has led from sensual to sexual activity, etc. [footnote #34]  2000 Update - numerous reports are now filtering our way of increasing numbers of leaders (especially in youth and prophetic ministry) being caught in sexual misbehaviour. It appears their ability to resist sexual temptation has been lowered by involvement with this sensual expression of spirituality.
• The occultic 'law of compensation' will kick in later - touching lingering sicknesses and depression especially.  [footnote #35]  (2004 Update - a guest from a Zimbabwe faith church that dabbled in the Blessing commented to me on the numbers of people who later get sick, have disasters overtake them, suffer setbacks, etc, after exposure to the Blessing.  He said God warned him of this using  Rev 2:20-22  Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways....  We both commented on the number of people we had known who had gotten very sick after yielding to the Blessing. [footnote #35a]
•  Ongoing problems with excessive division in churches that have embraced it - including all the way down the relationship scale into marriages and friendships.  2003 Update - again, anecdotal evidence is now mounting of increasing numbers of "River / Blessing" churches experiencing far higher-than-normal battles with division and infighting. This is not one or two cases, but reports of whole groups experiencing internal divisions, resulting in large numbers of people moving out and around the "tidal currents" of the Body of Christ. This is a tragedy for the Australian (and Western) church, and produces increasing instability in local churches' structure and ministry effectiveness, but it is a typical long-term fruit of an elitist religious spirit.
• It's too early to make a final judgement - usually such movements, once they have gained a measure of acceptance, result in a 'declared word' - this one, I think, will probably be of an 'end-time elitist' nature. However, historically, it seems to take about 20 years for the full extent of an elitist movement to be clearly seen in its effect on those who have submitted to it.  (2000 Update - Tom Stipe's account certainly bears this out in the Vineyard environment. Since 1995, there have been repeated prophetic declarations that we are "right at the door", and the chosen ones for God's last great move are…. US!! )  [footnote #36]
• Practical steps will be needed for helping people who, having received 'the Blessing', later want to renounce its long-term effects. Neil Anderson's material on being set free from false religious spirits is highly recommended in this context.

My wife and I have seen much of this since I originally wrote this in 1995. Failed expectations; leaders failing morally; teachings becoming more extreme, questionable money handling…. All these have contributed to some believers having second thoughts, then renouncing any residual demonic effect their previous submission to ministry may have left.  [footnote #37]

A Final Warning - Deception in the Last Days
If, as some think, we are indeed living in the last days, then we are also living in the times when 2 Thessalonians 2 will occur - a passage of Scripture I haven't heard a single leader teach on in years. Lying signs and wonders won’t deceive my Protestant friends, as most of them don’t believe in the real ones, let alone be likely to fall for a counterfeit! But we Pentecostals and Charismatics must be aware of our responsibility to judge things by the whole Scriptural emphasis [see 2 Tim 2:15 and its application to deception within the Church]. Paul warned the Ephesian elders - right in the heart of one of the most demonically powerful centres in the Greco-Roman world - the temple of Artemis magic schools. They were used to talk of power practices (in the occult). In fact, Paul again and again, stresses the sufficiency of the power of the Holy Spirit in the letter he wrote to them. But note that earlier he had called the elders together to warn them that out from their own ranks, some (Christian) ministers would rise up "distorting the truth" to draw disciples away after themselves (Acts 20:30).

I believe we are seeing a "distortion of truth" about the same subject - SPIRITUAL POWER. The Ephesians recovered themselves to return to orthodoxy of teaching and practice, and to be an effective, powerful church for several Centuries to come. May God help us to hold to orthodox truth, and its (powerful) practice too.

Conclusion - 2000 Update
I published this booklet in mid 1995 after great distress of spirit. It was given away to anyone who has enquired about my views (unless they were young Christians). And it has been on the Internet since 1999.  This publication has done for me what I predicted it might in 1995 - closed doors of ministry opportunity, exposed my word to a loss of credibility and influence, and caused me to face trenchant criticism for being so outspoken - especially in naming specific people, and occasions. Following the NT principle, I have no regrets about being specific with false teaching and false teachers. We do not extend to them the cloak of anonymity the NT better reserves for individual sinning Christians.

Looking back, despite all this, my conscience is quite unrepentant. It's been worth it! The scheme of this publication could be reworked, in line with the developments since 1995 (particularly the relative loss of influence of Vineyard, now that the Blessing's offspring have taken root in other streams). However, I have had no cause to move away from any of the basic statements made in 1995.

I have abundant material on this subject, lately, especially on the remarkable similarities between the Toronto Blessing and its manifestations and the Hinduistic practice of Kundalini and its manifestations (kriyas). The Internet is a powerful research and resource tool for the serious student. I believe we will hear more of this connection in times to come, as Hinduistic concepts seep more and more into Western culture and religion (syncretism at its worst!).

Lastly, as a Pentecostal Christian, I am interested in the delayed but growing alarm some of my previously silent colleagues are now expressing regarding the incipient undermining of the Biblical experience and teaching of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. And the loss of evangelistic heart and thrust that goes with it. Has the Pentecostal movement been outflanked by a counterfeit that did not originate within its boundaries? Feel free to contact me if you want to pursue this material or any other resources I have on file.

Jude 3,24-25 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.