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THE INTOXICATING SPELL OF
RODNEY HOWARD-BROWNE
An Eye-Witness Report on the
Canadian Escapades of the "Holy Ghost Bartender"
by Yves Brault
In this day and age as frantic spiritual manifestations attract the
masses, becoming wilder as present-day religious leaders continually
offer greater spiritual and physical benefits to their flock, an
ever-increasing disregard for biblical principles and doctrines
pervades the Church while many call these days the greatest revival we
have ever known.
While the gifts of the Spirit are greatly emphasized, the fruit is
rarely even mentioned. The word "anointed" has become a religious
sales pitch. There are anointed preachers, anointed singers, anointed
messages, anointed praise-a-thons. Everything seems to be
anointed—with a catch. True, we "have an anointing from the Holy One,"
and "we have received an anointing which abides in us" (1 John 2:20,
27), but the meaning often carries a sense of "getting" it by
attending some special kind of meeting and giving a certain sum of
money in return.
The phenomenon of being "slain in the Spirit" has become commonplace,
particularly in well-orchestrated demonstrations of laying on of hands
that include a "catcher" behind the one being prayed over. Of course,
that person is well aware that the catcher will gently deposit him on
the floor. This sense of safety is essential. I myself, volunteered on
a regular basis in those sessions. It always bothered me to see the
abuse of the practice. It becomes a show where the preacher lays flat
a follower as the gladiator of old would overcome a captive. Many
times you can hear an "ouch" as the individual hits somebody or the
floor too hard. Or you can see those on the floor waving their hands
or positioning themselves more comfortably. If they're conscious
enough to feel pain or move their body, they're conscious enough to
remain standing.
The laughing phenomenon has had a phenomenal impact since the early
nineties. It is characterized by uncontrollable laughter and is often
accompanied by body jerking, convulsions, spinning, or in other cases
catalepsy, or even slumber. Interestingly, the Bible doesn't mention
these phenomena as being a norm for Christian living. Laughter and joy
are discussed aplenty, but no ecstatic physical contortions of this
nature is said to manifest an inward feeling of joy.
One may argue that such effects will not hurt, that although there
might be some abuse caused by excess zeal from the part of the
followers or lack of control from the part of the leaders, as a whole
the Church can only benefit from this laughter revival. But ultimately
any doctrine or action that has no basis in the Bible should raise
concern. If it's not found in the Bible, where does it come from? In
this case, if the source is not the Holy Spirit, there are only two
options left: the flesh, and darkness.
A number of believers blame the devil or demons for causing wild
physical demonstrations. While it is true in some cases, the main
agents are manipulative techniques that stimulate the flesh, or carnal
nature, whose works are contrary to the Spirit. Several works of the
flesh are listed in Galatians 5:19-21. They are in sharp contrast with
the fruit of the Spirit. Paul also tells us not to partake with those
whose practices are not fitting for the saints (Ephesians 5:3-7), and
admonished us "not to have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather expose them" (vv. 8-11).
One has to realize that hysterical laugher, twitching, uncontrollable
body spasms and the like occur in metaphysical pagan and other
non-Christian groups. The manipulative technique "mesmerism" defined
as the capacity to raise the emotional state of an individual or a
crowd by different means, to an abnormal but controllable intensity,
frequently causes faintings, convulsive movements, immoderate
laughter, piercing cries, slumber, and so forth. Sometimes this
technique is even used in the name of God, that is, disguised with
Christian terminology. We could even say that we're experiencing a
revival of this technique. This is mainly due to an overemphasis on
"signs and wonders," an obsession with sensational experiences, and a
disregard for true Christian doctrines, character and living.
I have witnessed the use of numerous manipulative and deceptive
methods by popular religious leaders. This was unexpected and
motivated me to examine, search and compare their teachings and
methods with an in-depth study of the Scriptures. We're told to "test
all things, holding fast what is good" (2 Thessalonians 5:21).
Jesus tells us that some will prophesy, cast out demons, and do many
wonders in His name (Matthew 7:22), but in spite of that Christ will
declare, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice
lawlessness" (v. 23). Several times the Lord warns the believers about
great deception (Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 24). Paul warned the church of
Ephesus for three years against savage wolves who speak perverse or
misleading things (Acts 20:28-31). In his second epistle to the
Corinthians, Paul writes, "For we are not, as so many, peddling the
word of God" (2:17), and "we have renounced the hidden things of
shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God
deceitfully" (4:2). Evidently, there are some who adulterate the Word
of God for their own gain and benefits.
In a meaningful passage Jesus states, "Beware of false prophets, who
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous
wolves" (Matthew 7:15). They look Christian! But inwardly, they are
hungry and greedy for something you have! And Paul exposes false
apostles, deceitful workers as being individuals who transform
themselves into apostles of Christ, into ministers of righteousness (2
Corinthians 11:13-15). Peter and John have also found it important to
write on the subject. It is therefore important today for believers to
be watchful and aware of these facts.
One whose works must be tested is Rodney Howard-Browne. Howard-Browne
is the prominent leader of the "laughter phenomenon." I first
encountered him in the fall of 1992 when he ministered at the Orlando
Christian Center (now World Outreach Center), the church founded and
pastored by faith healer Benny Hinn. The early 1990s was
Howard-Browne's debut in the United States. More recently, a second
opportunity to see him in action presented itself in the city of
Vancouver, British Columbia. From Nov. 19 through 23, 1996, he held a
series of meetings which my son, Stephen, and I decided to
investigate.
Howard-Browne is a South African preacher who says he was saved at age
5, baptized in the Spirit at 8, and received a special touch from
heaven many years later in 1979. But it was only in 1989, while being
in New York, that he decided to put his knack into practice. His
laughter ministry was born.
More than once during the crusade held in a 2,000-seat church
auditorium, a member of Howard-Browne's organization warned the
audience early in the service not to bring in any camera or tape
recorders because "they can be used in a bad way." We were also
advised to be careful at the altar and not walk on those lying on the
floor because "even if they are under the power of the Holy Ghost,
they still feel pain!" After the warnings and instructions, a sales
pitch for their videocassettes and books, and the essential
crowd-warming songs, Rodney Howard-Browne would appear on stage and
sing a few more songs.
His technique is very simple and very charismatic. The song service,
lasting 60 to 90 minutes, was active and the lyrics of the songs
invite you to participate. At the song, I Walk by Faith, the leader
urged the audience to walk sideways in the pews, which had everybody
marching left and right. In a case like this, you must cooperate
unless you want to be stepped on by your neighbors. The favorite Makes
You Want to Dance produced delirious dancing in the crowd, where some
individuals ran up front, jumping and twisting after the very first
verse.
Howard-Browne plays a very active human role in the laughter. The man
acts like a stand-up comedian. He repeatedly told jokes like, "I'll
read from The Amplified Bible, so if it comes out loud, it's because
it's amplified." Howard-Browne, himself a Caucasian, born and raised
in Africa, now living in America, has come to the conclusion, "That
makes me an African-American." The crowd just loved it. Or when comes
the time of the offering he suggests, besides cash and check giving,
"You can use your credit card: Mastercard, Visa, American Distress."
Well, he repeatedly used this one too.
Adonica, Howard-Browne's wife, also made an appearance on stage. At
the first meeting she was asked by Rodney to greet the audience.
Estimating that the crowd's response lacked enthusiasm, she said, "Are
you just shy Canadians, or what? Are you just as the Americans?" Not
such a tactful remark! The attendees did not seem to appreciate, nor
do I think Americans would either.
Howard-Browne seems to believe that he needs to instruct people on how
to laugh and behave. He even defies those who do not respond according
to his desires. It comes close to threatening when he accuses the more
conservative type of person of not acting wild in response to his
jokes or commands, "We'll cast the religious devil out of you."
There's actually not much liberty in his meetings. One feels
intimidated and compelled to obey, or comply lest you be labeled
according to Howard-Browne's own offensive categories.
In each and every meeting we attended, he did not miss an opportunity
to put his critics down, those who question his method of operating.
He said, "Some people have got more faith in believing the devil can
come into this place tonight to touch people. How dumb can you get and
still breathe!" And referring to North American theologians, which he
names dead heads, "Bunch of whitewash, full of dead bones, like a
constipated mule." The Americans and Canadians, in particular, don't
weigh much in his eyes. "Jesus is alive. It's only North Americans
that don't believe that."
Howard-Browne also played the game of faith healing. And he played it
well. The first night he prayed for a man suffering from cancer. The
next day he laid hands on a woman with the same disease. He even gave
an example of a successful healing that occurred in one of his
crusades, though he provided no documentation. And of course,
Howard-Browne talked about the anointing, saying that God gives it to
individuals and confirms it with signs, wonders, and miracles.
As he was uttering these words, he was standing just a few feet from a
man whose task was to translate by sign language the preaching to a
small group of deaf attendees. Curiously, Howard-Browne did not pray
nor lay hands on them, nor did he pray for the man in a wheelchair
whose legs were clearly atrophied. A young lady whose gait and talk
revealed a severe physical disorder, probably cerebral palsy, was
never addressed. How many in the crowd discerned the scheme?
Howard-Browne, like faith healers, is clever, selective and deceptive.
Implying that he has an anointing from God, he threatened once again
his critics or would-be critics, "If you can't produce the real of
that which you criticize you'd better shut your mouth. Just shut your
mouth. Amen." People must realize that the criticism is not about
laughter, though, but about the wild physical manifestations occurring
in the meetings.
One of the scariest moments came on the last day, the day
Howard-Browne would lay hands on everybody in the house. He preached
his regular 25 or so minutes on the subject of offerings, then told
the crowd he wanted them to listen to a compact disc of one of his
crusades. The soundman played it very loudly. All we heard were
applause and cries, but the crowd did not react, not really knowing
what to do. So the song leader got to the sound booth and raised the
volume much higher. Howard-Browne started clapping and screaming,
"Jesus, Jesus." Then the crowd started imitating him, clapping and
screaming repetitively. A scary moment indeed. The fruit of gross
manipulation and imitation. Men and women were dancing like under a
spell. Howard-Browne had them where he wanted. They were under his
mesmeric spell.
I find no edification in such meetings. Music is used as a tool to
bring individuals into a hyper-suggestible emotional state, fanciful
and exaggerated stories are told to gain the people's trust and
confidence, and the Scriptures are misused or distorted to support
their unbiblical teachings and practices. Rodney Howard-Browne not
only orchestrated the show by instructing people on how to behave, but
he clearly showed his arrogant nature through his statements and
attitude. Where is the fear of God today?
What shall we say about his ministry? It is the result of a deceptive
scheme of manipulation and crowd control, not the genuine work of God.
Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits." Remember: Power,
signs and wonders are insufficient to determine someone's true nature.
Israel was misled and deceived in their days, and numerous Christians
are misled and deceived today. Just look deeper than what meets the
eyes.
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