THE TORONTO BLESSING?
(Also Called "Holy Laughter")
1997
Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.
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INTRODUCTION
A NEW WIND OF DOCTRINE BLOWING
AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
WHOSE BEHIND THIS LAUGHING REVIVAL?
SOME OTHER TEACHINGS OF RODNEY HOWARD-BROWNE
A LOOK AT BIBLICAL JOY
CONCLUSION
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight (kubeia -- playing
dice; implies trickery or fraud).of men, and cunning craftiness (shrewdness,
unscrupulousness), whereby they lie in wait (methodeia = a method or plan) to
deceive;
Little children are easily tricked. In fact, I remember how easily I was able to
entertain my grandson Keith with my magic tricks. I'd make candy disappear and then pull
it out from behind his ear. He thought that was great, especially when he got to eat the
evidence. But, now that Keith is older, it's harder to pull it off. He's not as gullible
anymore now that he's three. Oh well, I'll have to try my magic tricks on Andrew, my other
grandson. He's seven months old.
Though it is all in fun when I pull these harmless little antics with my grandsons, I
wanted to illustrate a point. Children can be easily deceived and if there is an evil
purpose in the deception they can be easily led astray and harmed. Paul was writing to the
Ephesian believers urging them not to behave like gullible children. He wanted them to be
rooted in the Word of God so when some new doctrinal fraud came along, some new shortcut
to spiritually came along, they would not get caught up in it.
 Carpet Time
There is a new wind of doctrine blowing up a storm in many churches across the world
today. People in Anglican, Assembly of God, Baptist, Catholic, Mennonite, Methodist,
Nazarene, Pentecostal, Salvation Army, Vineyard and other churches are experiencing what
is being called the Toronto blessing, laughing revivals, holy laughter, Holy Ghost Joy
or the baptism of joy.
The natural question is, what are the manifestations of this experience? You may
find it hard to believe but here is what I have found in my research. "Some weep
uncontrollably, some laugh hysterically. Some topple over or crumble silently on the
floor, while others jerk, twitch, keel drunkenly, karate-chop the air, scream, sway,
double over with abdominal spasms, roar, or bark." (Christian Research Journal;
Winter 95)
That's not all! There's howling, hooting like owls, crowing, mooing, oinking, and
hissing. There are those who dance, squirm like snakes and hop like kangaroos. Many are so
overpowered that they can't control themselves or get up off the floor for hours! They
call this "doing carpet time." Let me relay the account of Jordan Roberts (Oral
Roberts granddaughter). Richard Roberts, Jordan's father shared this incident -- "My
little nine-year old daughter came to the first night service and Rodney (Howard-Brown)
laid hands on her. She fell to the ground and laughed for an hour and 45 minutes. When we
tried putting her to bed, she fell out laughing. We finally had to put her in the
bathtub."
Friends, there is something desperately wrong! The London Daily Mail asked in an
article, What In God's Name Is Going On? I have an answer. I believe that neither
the Lord God of Heaven nor His Holy Spirit have anything to do with this. I see a
"snake" in the grass. Read Matthew 17:14-18 & Mark 5:1-8. When I
compare what is happening in these "laughing revival" meetings with the goings
on in these verses it leaves little doubt in my mind as to the spirit behind this laughter
movement and it is NOT the Holy Spirit but rather unholy spirits.
I got a call from the Christian Research Institute about a month back. They asked me to
send them my research information on the occult game Magic:The Gathering™. We
got to talking and I asked about "holy laughter." Here's what the head of CRI
says -- "Recently the laughter has taken a beastly turn. Now some people who get
the Tornont Blessing are beginning to roar like animals. Such fearsome noise suggests
possession by the Devil...This does not come from the Holy Spirit, this comes from the
unholy spirit and it is dangerous and deadly. To the person who opens a doorway to the
occult, it is a very, very, serious issue. It is extremely serious."
I agree. Witches and other occultists go into an altered state of consiousness and do
the same things as those in these so called laughing revivals. I have heard eye witness
accounts of a witch who mounted her "sacred" altar, flipped out, spit out curses
and then began to laugh. Her followers began to howl, growl, hiss and laugh as well. You
could hear it echoing through the entire valley according to witnesses .
Dabbling with this spurious doctrine opens the door to the Evil one. You must follow 1
John 4:1 -- Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. When you "try
the spirits" by the Word of God, the Bible, it is obvious that they are not of God.
Historically, great Christian leaders frowned on such pandemonium. In fact John
and Charles Wesley tell of a situation where the spirit of laughter required deliverance
-- "In the evening such a spirit of laughter was among us, that many were offended.
But the attention of all was fixed on (one) poor (woman), whom we all knew to be
dissembled: One so violently and variously torn of the devil one did I never see before.
Sometimes she laughed till almost strangled, then they broke out into cursing and
blaspheming then stamped and struggled with incredible strength, so that four or five
could scarcely hold her: ...It is important to note that prayer in the name of Jesus
Christ brought instant deliverance to those under the spirit of laughter."
Let's move to more recent times. In Argentina in the 1980's Jimmy Swaggart was holding
a crusade. During that crusade "literally hundreds of people...would begin to laugh
hysterically and throw themselves down on the ground. They would howl like dogs...they
would roar like lions, they would make all kinds of wild sounds, and when these thing
began to happen, the ushers went and physically restrained them, took them out of the
coliseum to a tent outside, and they cast the Devil out of them."
Friends, the Holy Spirit is not the author of this confusion (I Cor. 14:33). The fruit
of the Spirit is SELF-CONTROL (Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 5:18-19). This movement is not of God!
 Howard-Browne
Some have referred to him as a Christian Rodney Dangerfield. Some refer to him as the
"laughing evangelist," Rodney M. Howard-Browne calls himself a "Holy
Ghost bartender" who promotes "laughing in the Spirit." This latest
champion of the Charismatic movement tells a lot of jokes and rattles off one-liners
before encouraging people to let the spirit flow "out of the belly" in
holy laughter.
To be sure, Howard-Browne has popularized the current wave of hysteria but this
so-called holy laughter is really nothing new to our 20th century. It was practiced by
fringe Pentecostals such as Kathryn Kuhlman back in the 60's. Many who have sought to
support it biblically have claimed it is a manifestation of Biblical joy. Nothing could be
further from the truth as we will see when we look at Biblical joy later in this study.
Instead of joy, it could and perhaps should be called pandemoniumism. The
dictionary definition of "pandemonium" is very interesting. It reads, Wild
uproar or noise. The word comes from the epic poem Paradise Lost by John
Milton. In that poem Pandmonium was the capital of Hell. Further, it is
interesting that the word is based on a compound Greek work made up of pan who was the
Greek Nature god and daimon (the English word is demon).
These spasms of laughter, which can last as long as an hour, are contagious. The South
African-born Howard-Browne tells his audience: "Fill -- let it bubble out your belly
-- Ho-ho, He-he -- Fill -- Ho-ho-ho, Ho-ha-ha." It sounds like pandamonium when thing
get going. Let me change gears and move on.
Think of HELL for a moment. What comes to your mind? Luke 16:19-31 gives us a
picture of the horrors of Hell. It is certainly nothing to laugh about. But...Not even the
consequences of a Godless eternity are immune from his laughter. "Charisma"
magazine reports: "'One night I was preaching on hell,' Howard-Browne says, 'and
[laughter] just hit the whole place. The more I told people what hell was like, the more
they laughed'" (August 1994, pg. 24).
Who in their right mind would laugh about Hell? Not Holy Spirit filled Christians!
SOME OTHER TEACHINGS OF RODNEY HOWARD-BROWNE
Let me ask you a question -- Should people follow a preacher who threatens to commit
suicide if God does not meet his demands?
My answer is NO! God is not a terrestrial genie waiting our bidding. We
are to seek HIS will not demand our will. Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy
will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
But RHB (Rodney Howard-Browne) does not hold that view. "In July of 1979...Rodney M.
Howard-Browne of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, reached a crossroads in his life...while at
an interdenominational prayer meeting with about eighteen young people at this time, he
cried out to the Lord, 'God, either you come down here tonight and touch me, or I'm going
to die and come up there and touch you.' he began shouting, frightening nearly everyone
that was present. He shouted for 20 minutes..." (An article entitled "History of
the Revival" by Richard M. Riss). It is clear that this is not the biblical way to
approach God! King Solomon of old put it this way -- Let us hear the conclusion
of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of
man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let's consider another illustration of his teachings. RHB said, "As long as
something is happening it really does not matter if it is of God, of man or the devil."
If that is not enough to impeach the credibility of this spurious prophet, let me read you
his words from The Coming Revival --
"But I'd rather be in a church where the devil and the flesh are manifesting than
in a church where nothing is happening because people are too afraid to manifest anything.
Every time there is a move of God, a few people will get excited, go overboard, and get in
the flesh. Other believers will get upset, saying that couldn't be of God. Don't worry
about it, either. Rejoice, because at least something is happening. ...If someone comes in
the meeting, rolls around on the floor, laughs in the Holy Spirit, or does it in the
flesh, at least he's not getting drunk or taking dope" (pp. 6, 8).
Wait just a minute, is that Biblical doctrine? Hardly! If you are going to
worship God you must worship Him Biblically not carnally. You cannot operate in the flesh
and please God (Psalm 4:4; Romans 8:8). In this Howard-Browne is weighed in the
balance of Scripture and found wanting.
That brings me to Howard-Browne's "holy hysteria." He claims this
laughter is a manifestation of a merry heart and cites Proverbs 17:22 A merry
heart doeth good like a medicine... Further, he indicates that it is evidence of the
Fruit of the Spirit, JOY, of Galatians 5:22.
A LOOK AT BIBLICAL JOY
RHB makes the mistake that many people make, that is, identifying Biblical joy
solely
with emotional gaiety, happiness and pleasure sought after by the world. That's a blunder.
Turn in your Bibles to James 4:4&9. To the worldly Christian, the one who has
become a friend to the world, who is seeking after and rejoicing in fleshly merriment, the
Apostle James says, "Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be
turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness." This is appropriate instruction
for those inclined to follow this heresy. Believers must refuse to be sidetracked by a
vain search for emotional euphoria in the "Toronto Blessing."
That is not to say that Christians must be austere and never crack a smile.
Cheerfulness and delight are obviously something that is to be a part of the Christian
life. There are many verses that indicate that this is the case.
The Wise Men rejoice when they saw the star -- Matthew 2:10 When they saw the
star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
The joy and rejoicing foretold at the birth of John Baptist -- Luke 1:14 And
thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
The joy of the two Mary's at the sight of Christ's empty tomb and Christ's resurrection
-- Matthew 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great
joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
The joy of those who witnessed the miracles done -- Acts 8:6-8 And the people
with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the
miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many
that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were
healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
To be sure there can be an emotional aspect to the joy experienced in these joyous
occasions. But there was no hysterical laughter, convulsions or no lack of self control.
Excitement yes!
But, there is another aspect to Christian joy -- that is the joy and rejoicing that
results from steadfast confidence in God regardless of one's circumstances. When a
person walks with the Lord, that person can continue to rejoice even when troubles come
because he knows God is in control and that this life is not the end. Consider the words
of our Lord in Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they
the prophets which were before you.
Let me make this bold statement, and then back it up with scripture -- A Christian
can be joyful even when he/she is emotionally sorrowful and even when his/her spirit is
heavy. Consider the proof from the Bible.
2 Corinthians 6:4a &10a But in all things approving (demonstrating)
ourselves as the ministers of God... As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing...
Acts 5:40-42 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles,
and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let
them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in
every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-8 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need
be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith,
being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having
not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy
unspeakable and full of glory:
We must not make it our chief aim in this present world to seek after the shallow,
emotional frivolity this world identifies as joy, or we will be severely disappointed.
Like Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross" (Hebrews
12:2), the child of God must set his face like a flint to endure the manifold
sufferings of this present life with his eyes focused on the unspeakable joy which
is to come.
It is plain to see that Biblical joy is most certainly different from the
world's concept of joy. Why? Because true Christian joy is directly proportional to the
believers walk with the Lord. Joy in the Lord enables Christians to enjoy all that God
has given. We can rejoice in family (Prov. 5:18), food (1 Tim. 4:4-5), celebrations (Deut.
16:13-15), fellowship (Phil. 4:1). And, because we share a common life with our brothers
and sisters in Christ, we share with them the joys and sorrows of life: Romans 12:15 says,
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. This is Biblical joy.
This is the joy to cultivate in you life, not the phony counterfeit offered in the so
called Toronto Blessing.
Finally, there is one last point I must make. The enemy to real joy is sin.
Sin in your life will rob you of joy. King David points that out in Psalms 51:8&12
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
If you do not have REAL, BIBLICAL JOY in your life, don't run out to the nearest
meeting offering "holy hysteria." Examine your life. It may be that sin has
robbed you of the joy you should be experiencing as a Christian.
In light of the Bible I must conclude that the Holy Spirit is not the author of
the phenomenon called the Toronto blessing, laughing revivals, holy laughter, Holy
Ghost Joy or the baptism of joy and the manifestations -- laughing
uncontrollably & convulsively, screaming, howling, hooting like owls, crowing, mooing,
oinking, roaring and hissing or "doing carpet time" ("carpet time." is
when the possessed individual seem to be glued to the floor and is unable to get up). I
suggest you follow Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
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