Since the beginning of the Pentecostal Movement, many groups have claimed a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These "outpourings" have been accompanied by extraordinary manifestations: shaking, jerking, jumping, and speaking in tongues. The most common of these manifestations is what is called Slaying in the Spirit, and recently, uncontrollable laughter which has become known as the Toronto Blessing. This book examines the Pentecostal, Charismatic and subsequent movements in the light of these manifestations.
Introduction
The writing of this book was an "accident". Many books have been written on the Charismatic debate so why re-invent the wheel.
It all started in 1992, when I read an Arabic booklet about the falling phenomenon, written by an Egyptian monk. In that booklet I saw that Scripture was used to justify the experience of falling. All I wanted to write was about ten pages to show that the slaying in the spirit has no Biblical foundation. To complete the few pages I wrote I wanted to check on the theological background of some of the people who practised the slaying. I phoned Rev. Phillip Jensen, one of the foremost Anglican churchmen in Australia, to enquire about those personalities. He then inquired as to the reason for my question. I told him I was writing a booklet on the slaying. He told me that I was wasting my time because the same thing could be seen performed on stage by hypnotists. I asked some older friends if they had seen the falling performed on the stage. They confirmed what Rev. Jensen had told me. I then went to Sydney University to look for a photo of a hypnotist with a person falling in front of him. I could not find one, but what I found in the books of hypnosis startled me. It seemed to me that I had read it all somewhere before. The few pages grew and grew to be a book. Its first edition appeared in 1992. This book is like a detective story. It can't be skimmed. The evidence unfolds with every page. It should be read from the beginning, chapter by chapter.
By 1995 an intensification of the phenomenon was being experienced all over the world as a result of the so called Toronto Blessing. As a result, a new edition with 135 more pages was produced to deal with some new questions.
In December, 1995, John Wimber ousted the Toronto church from the Vineyard fellowship. This new development does not change the impact of the book at all, since the material in the book largely deals with the manifestations experienced in John Wimber's conferences and other movements which naturally took place before the Toronto Blessing.
This third edition comes with some 90 more pages.
This book examines the Pentecostal/Charismatic debate from a new perspective. It does not examine whether or not the gifts or some of them have ceased; rather it examines these supernatural manifestations to determine whether or not they are of God. I have majored in my examination on the large movements which claim to be the trustees of such manifestations.
I realise that the material in this book will worry and even hurt some people, but one must be faithful to the Truth. Paul said, "If I please men, then I am no longer a slave of Jesus." My obligation to the Truth of God, coupled with my love for those who love me, has compelled me to write this book.
The following are some of the reviews of the book:
This is a disturbing book. However, in spite of its deficiencies, it is a volume that needs to be read especially by Charismatic leaders, if not by anyone else.
Dr. Barry Chant, Principal of Tabor Bible College, Sydney
The research in this book has a raw power and unflinching logic that cannot easily be dismissed. Mr Mikhaiel's work is an important and uncompromising contribution to the Pentecostal debate.
Tony Payne, Editor of the Briefing
This book is a masterly examination of certain aspects of the Charismatic Movement.
The Protestant Review, Australia
I can only describe this as a major contribution to the current "Toronto Blessing" debate. This is a book that deserves to be studied.
New Life, Australia
This is the best response to the current deception.
Bill Dennett
So far as I know, the information Mr Mikhaiel has documented with such telling clarity has not been put into print in anything like the depth he has achieved here. This book is a major contribution to the growing literature on the subject.
G. G. Benson B.D.S., M.D.S.
With shelves being filled with books promoting the "Blessing", Nader Mikhaiel may almost seem to be Athanasius contra mundum but it is all the more important that he be heard and his presentation earnestly pondered.
Rev. R. Rogers in the NSW Baptist
This is a very well documented...carefully argued book which will obviously prove very controversial, but its thesis cannot be ignored.
Dr John Benton, Editor of Evangelicals Now
Contents
1. Slaying in the spirit: is it Biblical?
2. Slaying in the spirit and hypnosis
3. The Nature of hypnosis
4. Hypnosis and Christianity
5. The spirit behind the manifestations
6. A major figure: Kenneth Hagin
7. What is the difference
8. From their fruit
9. Slaying in the spirit and Azusa Street
10. The roots of the problem
11. The big picture
Unfortunately this book is not available from Christian bookshops. Individual ($US20 - air freight) and bulk purchases (12 copies or more - special rates) are available from the author direct.:
Nader Mikhaiel
P.O. Box 170, Earlwood 2206 NSW
Australia.
Fax 0011-61-2-6462620.
email:
naderm@ozemail.com.au
The Book is also available from:
US Purchases from:
Searching Together (Jon Zens)
Box 548, St Croix Falls
WI 54024, USA.
Ph. (715) 755-3560
and
UK Purchases from:
St. Matthew's Vicarage,
24 Geldart St.
England. Ph. 01223363545, Fax: 01223 512304