The Toronto Blessing refers to a religious revival that began in the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship church in Toronto, Canada in January 1994. It was characterized by manifestations of the Holy Spirit, including laughing, weeping, falling down, and making animal noises. People would become overwhelmed by the Spirit and lose control of their bodies. The Toronto Blessing quickly spread to churches worldwide and was a key part of the charismatic renewal movement of the 1990s.
The origins of the Toronto Blessing can be traced to a meeting in October 1993 when Randy Clark, a pastor from the Vineyard church, was invited to speak at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. Clark had been powerfully touched by the Holy Spirit a few years earlier, and it was hoped he could ignite a fresh move of the Spirit in Toronto. At the meeting, the Spirit’s presence was strongly felt with people falling down, laughing, crying, and shaking. The church’s pastor, John Arnott, recognized this as a genuine move of God. He invited Clark back the following January, and the manifestations became even more pronounced.
Word spread quickly about the unusual spiritual happenings in Toronto. Thousands of visitors came to attend the meetings and experience the Toronto Blessing for themselves. Many reported being powerfully touched by God, with intense feelings of joy, renewal, and deeper intimacy with Christ. Physical healings and deliverance from demons were also frequently reported. People took the experience back to their home churches worldwide, igniting the flames of revival.
Defenders of the Toronto Blessing emphasize that the manifestations align with accounts of revivals in Scripture and throughout church history. They point to passages describing people trembling, falling down, crying out, and feeling drunk when in the Spirit’s presence (Isaiah 66:2; Revelation 1:17; Acts 2:13). These manifestations are seen as the body responding tangibly to a deep work of God in the soul. Critics, however, express concern over the lack of self-control, arguing that the Holy Spirit brings order, not chaos (1 Corinthians 14:32-33).
Some key teachings emerged from the Toronto Blessing revival:
- Laughter in the Spirit – Uncontrollable laughter was a very noticeable manifestation. People were overcome by waves of joy and laughter even in the absence of anything humorous. This was understood as an experience of God’s presence and His delight in His children.
- Falling down in the Spirit – People would often lose control of their bodies and collapse during times of prayer. This was seen as being “slain in the Spirit,” overwhelmed by God’s power.
- Physical healings – Physical healings were reported during the meetings, from headaches and back pain to cancer. Healing was viewed as one blessing of drawing nearer to Christ.
- Renewal and refreshment – Many experienced profound renewal in their spiritual lives, including fresh passion for God and new desire to worship, pray, and read Scripture.
- Power evangelism – Participants were empowered to share their faith boldly. A new zeal for evangelism and missions flowed out of the revival.
The Toronto Blessing revival had largely faded by the early 2000s, but its themes of charismatic renewal, intentional pursuit of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, and expectations of God’s supernatural power remain influential. Opinions vary on whether the Toronto Blessing was a genuine work of God, a mixed blessing, or a deception. But it undeniably shaped Christian thought and practice around the globe during the 1990s and sparked intense debate over the work of the Holy Spirit that continues to this day.
In summary, the Toronto Blessing refers to the waves of religious revival marked by ecstatic worship, falling down in the Spirit, shaking, weeping, and laughter that originated in the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship church in 1994. It emphasized charismatic spiritual gifts, physical healings, and fresh passion for God. Supporters viewed it as authentic renewal while critics argued it lacked biblical order. The Toronto Blessing ignited revival movements worldwide, contributing to charismatic theology and debates over the Holy Spirit that endure today.
The Toronto Blessing began when Randy Clark, a pastor who had experienced renewal himself, was invited to speak at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship in October 1993. His ministry sparked profound manifestations of ecstasy, crying, laughing, and falling down, which were seen as evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence. The church’s pastor, John Arnott, cultivated these manifestations as a genuine revival, inviting Clark back and attracting thousands more to experience it. Visitors brought the Toronto Blessing back to their home churches globally.
Notable manifestations associated with the Toronto Blessing included uncontrollable laughter called “laughter in the Spirit,” being overwhelmed by the Spirit’s presence to the point of falling down, physical healings, renewed passion for God, and empowerment for evangelism. Supporters believed these were biblical manifestations of God’s presence and Spirit. Critics argued it was excessive and chaotic.
Teachings and practices associated with the Toronto Blessing included an emphasis on pursuing the gifts of the Holy Spirit, expectations of God’s supernatural power being regularly displayed, and ecstatic spiritual experiences like falling down in the Spirit. The revival faded by the early 2000s but influenced charismatic theology and left a legacy of debate over the work of the Holy Spirit in the modern church.
There are a few key Scripture passages relevant to understanding the Toronto Blessing:
- Isaiah 66:2 – “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Trembling in God’s presence was seen at Toronto and other revivals.
- Acts 2:12-13 – “Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.'” Some accused Toronto participants of being drunk in the Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 14:32-33 – “The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” Critics argue Toronto lacked order and self-control.
- Revelation 1:17 – “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” Falling down overwhelmed by God’s presence happened at Toronto.
- Acts 4:31 – “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Toronto participants were empowered similarly.
These verses give examples of ecstatic spiritual experiences in the Bible, providing justification for supporters of the Toronto Blessing. They also give guidelines for order, which critics believe Toronto violated. Overall, Scripture permits a diversity of perspectives on dramatic work of the Holy Spirit.
The origins of the Toronto Blessing reveal a hunger for deeper experiences of God’s presence and power. Randy Clark’s ministry catalyzed profound manifestations when he visited in 1993. The church cultivated an atmosphere eager for fresh works of the Spirit. John Arnott pastored with an emphasis on renewal, worship, and God’s supernatural activity.
This atmosphere gave fertile ground for ecstatic revival when the catalyst of Clark’s visit was added. The church graciously hosted visitors hungry for renewal as word spread. The Toronto Blessing sparked hunger for spiritual gifts, renewal, and God’s power to be restored to the Church. It ignited passion through powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit.
Like previous revivals, Toronto Blessing participants testified to deep inner transformation – healed relationships, restored faith, victorious over bondage and addiction. Ecstatic experiences broke hard spiritual ground to cultivate life-change. However, critics saw lack of self-control as unbiblical excess.
The Toronto Blessing faded by the early 2000s, failing to sustain momentum as a spiritual phenomenon. But it brought greater openness to the Holy Spirit’s dramatic work, influencing charismatic churches and theologies worldwide. It also contributed to polarizing debates over whether revivals and charismatic manifestations are divine or excessive.
The legacy remains alive today in several ways:
- Many churches influenced by Toronto Blessing theology emphasize experiencing God’s presence, pursuing spiritual gifts, and expecting miracles.
- Conferences for “Holy Spirit outpouring” continue in the vein of Toronto revival meetings.
- The controversy sparked debate over evaluating modern revivals that remains unresolved.
- It contributed to divides between charismatic and non-charismatic evangelical theology and practice.
- Some church historians see Toronto as a milestone in the modern charismatic movement’s development.
Twenty-five years later, the Toronto Blessing’s themes of renewal, charismatic gifts, and anticipating revival continue to shape and divide the global Church. It highlighted timeless debates over the true work of the Holy Spirit and its relationship to order, control, and biblical traditions.
The Toronto Blessing revival provoked several important theological discussions:
- How should extraordinary works of the Holy Spirit be evaluated? Are dramatic manifestations and miracles divine authentication? Or can they be excessive or even deceptive?
- What is the relationship between renewal movements and church tradition? Toronto challenged cessationist views of the charismatic gifts ceasing. But critics argued it deviated from historic biblical practice.
- How much order and control should govern corporate worship? Toronto participants surrendered to the Spirit’s spontaneous movement in them. But critics saw disorder in the lack of restraint.
- What are the purposes and results of revival? Toronto aimed for renewal and evangelism. But are awakenings meant to spark lasting reformation and holiness?
- How are revivals and renewal movements best sustained? The Toronto Blessing’s momentum ultimately faded. Was it a temporary phenomenon or needing better leadership?
These debates illuminate issues dividing evangelicals over the work of the Holy Spirit today. The Toronto Blessing presented challenges to church tradition while hungering for biblical renewal. It still provides important teaching for evaluating renewal movements and experiencing God’s presence individually and corporately.
The Toronto Blessing was an important watershed for the charismatic Christian movement globally. Some historians call it the “third wave” of renewal after early Pentecostalism and the 1960s Charismatic movement. Key features and results of Toronto Blessing theology included:
- A focus on experiencing intimate, ecstatic encounters with God.
- Pursuing spiritual gifts like healing and prophesy.
- Expecting frequent miracles and supernatural displays.
- Renewed passion and zeal for prayer, worship, evangelism.
- sparking revival movements in many nations that adopted Toronto Blessing style.
However, the Toronto Blessing was also divisive theologically. Critics argued it:
- Promoted experience over Scripture.
- Lacked order and self-control.
- Had unbiblical teachings like “holy laughter.”
- Capitalized on people’s fleshly desires for thrills.
The debate over these claims continues today. The Toronto Blessing was a watershed for reviving interest in the Holy Spirit’s miraculous work through believers. But reasonable concerns remain about potential excess and lack of depth. The issues it raised over revival, charismatic theology, and Spirit-empowerment impact the global Church still.
