UPDATE: After this story aired on “Nightline,” Fresh Fire Ministries released a statement announcing that preacher Todd Bentley would be taking time off “to refresh and to rest” after having spent four months in Lakeland, Fla., leading revival meetings. In the meantime their Lakeland broadcasts on GOD TV are put on hold.

There has been some controversy over Mr. and Mrs. Chancery’s views on whether or not women should vote. In an article from the Dothan, Alabama Eagle newspaper website, Mrs. Chancery states that she is not attempting to advocate for women no longer having the right to vote.

Jennie Chancey clears up her views by saying she does vote.

“I don’t oppose women voting,” she said. “All I am taking is a historical viewpoint. I am not a revolutionary saying, ‘Let’s go back.’ I am just saying let’s stand back and think.”

In an article at her own Ladies Against Feminism website, Jennie first says that all the fuss is basically much ado about nothing.

No one on this side is advocating the mass burning of voter registration cards or the collective shutting off of women’s brains. If that’s the stereotyped conclusion you jump to after reading the following piece, please read it again and understand that this article is here to provoke thought and to encourage readers not to make decisions in a historical vacuum.

Did you carefully note the last part? Because despite her assurances that she’s not advocating the mass burning of women’s voter registration cards, what she is asserting in this article is the practice of men voting for the household…basically only women who are widows “of a certain age” (ie, not expected to remarry) and those whose fathers are deceased and have therefore become “the head of the household” should be voting for themselves.

The Bible is filled from beginning to end with the phrase “you and your household.” God’s promises to Adam and Eve were also to “their seed.” His promises to Noah involved his entire family. His promises to Abraham involved “you and your children after you.” The government of the household is a small republic. The husband may represent the household in public and when he votes, but his “constituents” stand right behind him. They speak with one voice. Now, this doesn’t mean there are never times when a wife disagrees with her husband’s decision. But, in the end, she models the Bride of Christ and submits to her head.

and,

“So what about women? Can’t we get back to the point here? Why should men represent their families at the ballot box?” Well, why not? Someone else represents you in Congress; you do not directly vote on every issue. If you have a problem with men voting for their households, you must necessarily take issue with the republican form of government our Founders laid down.

and

God is the one who defines the household and declares who shall be the head of it. A married man is the head of his household. A widow “indeed” (over sixty and not obligated to remarry) is the head of her household (like Lydia in the book of Acts). Single young men like Samuel or Daniel were leaders even while single and so headed their own “households” (they were not dependent upon anyone). If a father died without a son, his daughter could become his heir, basically becoming the de facto head of the household and bearer of the family name (Numbers 7:1-11). But the normal pattern God has clearly laid out in Scripture is that of a young woman living under her father’s roof until she is given in marriage and a young man leaving home to “cleave to his wife.”

and

Some might ask how a woman could be politically involved in this traditional historical model. It’s important to note that the ballot box is only one of many facets to politics and government. Alexis de Tocqueville noted in his book, Democracy in America, how intelligent and “superior” (his word choice) American women were. He saw their direct influence upon the men of the day as a good thing and as something that raised them to a lofty, important position.

and finally,

We need to learn from and imitate our intelligent, capable foremothers. Are you a woman who is vitally interested in the issues of the day? Talk to your husband (or your father, if you’re a daughter)! Draw him out into conversation and get to know his mind on the issues. Most of all, be willing to listen. You may be astounded at how well your husband can articulate his viewpoints when he is asked for them. Ask lots of questions! And be willing to be wrong. When your viewpoint cannot hold up to scrutiny, accept defeat gracefully. If your husband ends up changing his mind, be humble. And when you really feel your husband is wrong, commit your feelings to the Lord and pray for your husband as he represents your household “in the gates.” It is a solemn duty to serve as the “magistrate” of the household and not one to be taken lightly. Much rests upon husbands and fathers as they represent their households, so lighten that burden by being supportive, encouraging, and involved.

So, readers, by all means I encourage you to go read the whole thing and determine for yourself if Jennie is indeed advocating that, from a biblical perspective, women should not have the right to vote (with the possible exception of old widows and fatherless de facto heads of households)…or is poor Jennie being woefully misunderstood? And, certainly if Jennie has this perspective, doesn’t it likely follow that Matt does as well? After all, Jennie is big into defining submission to her husband as allowing him to speak for the household. It does not seem very plausible that Jennie would have spoken out on this issue if Matt doesn’t have the same views.

Published: July 10, 2008

An excerpt:

Expecting critics, Bentley’s ministry distributed a list of 15 people it said were cured, and vetted by his ministry, with all but three of their stories “medically verified.”

Yet two phone numbers given out by the ministry were wrong, six people did not return telephone messages and only two of the remainder, when reached by The Associated Press, said they had medical records as proof of their miracle cure. However, one woman would not make her physician available to confirm the findings, and the other’s doctor did not return calls despite the patient’s authorization.

So…15 minus 2 minus 6 equals 2, one of whom when contacted would not allow the claim to be medically confirmed. And the final person’s doctor would not return calls to comment. Which brings us down to…zero.

And apparently ABC News Nightline ran a story within the last day or so about Bentley.

Here’s a link to the article, Thousands Flock to Revival in Search of Miracles, posted on the web site.

And a quote from that story:

Not a single claim of Bentley’s healing powers could be independently verified.

Stephen Strader, who apparently manages and writes this archive, has this to say at the end of the second transcript, posted on July 3rd.

During the prophetic words and declarations, it was observed by most that a significant RESPONSE took place at the end of Dr. Clarice Fluitt’s prophetic word.

I personally believe that TWO very specific and dynamic things took place when she said, “Arise, kill and eat. No longer, no longer, no longer will men call unclean what I have called clean.”

First, the phrase is taken from the bible story of Peter’s vision on the roof top regarding the sheet filled with unclean animals. This event led to the Jerusalem council which had to make the decision and declaration that the Gospel could now be taken to the Gentiles. To the best of my knowledge, I am not aware of another so PUBLIC strategic council of this kind until June 23, 2008. I believe that this council – this Apostolic Alignment council – made history.

It is my opinion that the RESTORATION of the Five Fold Ministry giftings was COMPLETED by the action of the APOSTLES taking their place in such a PUBLIC display.

Second, the phrase, “No longer, no longer, no longer will men call unclean what I have called clean.’” I believe that a significant WARNING to the Body of Christ was delivered and that we should all be careful in declaring works of the Holy Spirit to be of the devil.

I also believe that phrase included an antidote for the poison that has already been released, and a declaration to stop any further poison being released into the Body of Christ.

I certainly welcome input from historians and other Five Fold Ministry giftings.

Yes, folks, attempting to be biblically discrening is equated to “relasing poision in the Body of Christ.” At least according to Stephen Strader, that is.

It’s not about clearing out material things…although that’s often a good thing to do.

LJMJ is about the theological and spiritual “junk” that is becoming ever more present in the lives of Christians in the USA today (and in many other places around the world).

This issue is of great concern to me because of an increasing number of situations where Christians are showing lack of discernment and following what feels right instead of what is necessarily biblical. In addition, some believers consider extra-biblical beliefs and practices to be an essential part of a healthy Christian life.

The purpose of this blog is not to judge other people’s hearts. It is education; in order  to encourage other believers to do as the Bereans did in Acts 17.  While they received Paul’s  message with “great eagerness” they also searched the scriptures to ensure that his message was true.