Every so often someone appears who manages to embody all that is wrong with popular Christianity: mindless sloganeering, an unhelpful emphasis on unusual phenomena and flawed theology.
Sadly, that person is usually embraced by a large section of the Christian community. This is true of Todd Bentley, the 32-year-old leader of Fresh Fire Ministries. With his colourful preaching and larger than life personality He is currently taking the charismatic / Pentecostal scene by storm.
Bentley’s ministry claims to be accompanied by an unusual anointing of the Holy Spirit. There are reports of prophetic words, miraculous healings, exorcisms, and financial blessings. The stage on which he ministers is regularly littered with the twitching bodies of people who are ‘slain in the Spirit’.