The Toronto Blessing

I’d like to preface that I am aware that this view is not popular. I realize that this post is a bit random, but I recently had someone ask me if I ever came to a conclusion regarding this topic, so I thought I’d write on my thoughts. 

Also, I believe in the gifts - The following are not gifts.

Almost one year ago, I inquired about the Toronto Blessing. Having grown up in the Baptist denomination, I wasn’t too familiar with this branch of the Charismatic movement. After receiving several different replies, I decided to set the topic aside. That is, until recently. I’m glad to say that I’ve come to a conclusion regarding my views on the Toronto Blessing.

For those who aren’t aware, the Toronto Blessing refers to the supposed outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the people attending the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship Church (now renamed Catch The Fire), which at the time was the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church. 

On January 20, 1994, a Pentecostal pastor named Randy Clark spoke at the church and gave his testimony of how he would get drunk in the Spirit and laugh uncontrollably. In response to this testimony, the congregation erupted in pandemonium with people laughing, growling, dancing, shaking, barking like dogs, and even some even being stuck in positions of paralysis. These experiences were attributed to the Holy Spirit entering people’s bodies. The pastor of the church, John Arnott, referred to it as a big Holy Spirit party. The name “Toronto Blessing” was given, and the church was soon in the international Charismatic spotlight.

Intrigued by the topic and story, I did my own research. Something wasn’t sitting well with me. When this “blessing” is held to the light of Scripture, it can scarcely be called a blessing; abomination, maybe, but not a blessing.

Absolutely nowhere in Scripture can I find any reason for what was happening at the Toronto Airport church, except, perhaps, the physical conditions demon-possessed people suffered. In fact, the Toronto Airport church became so embroiled in emotional outbursts and psychological displays that Pastor Arnott ceased preaching salvation, and instead preached about the party of the Holy Spirit.

In fact, one look at the church’s “vision, mission, & values” page shows absolutely nothing regarding the Gospel mentioned. Just a whole lot of wishy-washy feelings stuff, and I’m an INFP, I get the whole “feelings” stuff. This goes beyond that.

Experiences were being held in higher authority than Scripture. This was even too much for the already extremely charismatic Vineyard movement, which severed ties with the Toronto Airport church in 1995, prompting the name change to Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. Now the church is called Catch The Fire.

A believer’s focus needs to be Jesus Christ, the “author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), not on oneself, one’s experiences, or even the Holy Spirit. The Toronto Blessing focuses on the last, to the detriment of true Christian faith. There’s nothing wrong with having fun, dancing, singing, even shouting to the Lord. However, when a worship service resembles the dream of a demented schizophrenic and is attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit, only one word comes to mind: heresy.

And well, if you follow my blog, you’re aware that I don’t use that word lightly.

In Christ,
Ashley