The "angel Emma" is a controversial figure that has appeared in some circles of American Charismatic Christianity, particularly among proponents of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and prophetic movements. The story of this angel is most closely associated with Todd Bentley, a Canadian evangelist who gained prominence in the early 2000s.
Background on "the angel Emma":
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Todd Bentley, during his ministry, especially around the time of the Lakeland Revival in Florida (2008), claimed to have regular encounters with angels and other supernatural beings.
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He spoke specifically of an angel named Emma, describing her as appearing in female form and associated with finances, revival, and the prophetic.
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Bentley claimed that Emma was involved in previous revivals and would release anointing for healing and financial blessing.
Controversy and Criticism:
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The idea of an angel named Emma raised serious theological concerns within broader evangelical and Charismatic communities.
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Critics argued that naming and gendering angels in this way goes beyond biblical precedent, where angels are typically unnamed (with a few exceptions like Gabriel and Michael) and are never said to appear as female.
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Some saw it as a form of spiritual sensationalism that detracted from orthodox Christian teachings and potentially opened the door to deception or false spiritual experiences.
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Others questioned whether this was a marketing tactic to generate interest and support for revival events.
Connection to American Charismatic Christianity:
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The angel Emma story is emblematic of certain extreme prophetic practices found in fringe Charismatic or neo-Charismatic groups.
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It reflects the experiential emphasis in many of these movements—where personal encounters with the supernatural are not only accepted but often expected.
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This belief system often includes:
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Modern-day apostles and prophets
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An emphasis on spiritual warfare
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The pursuit of signs and wonders
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Belief in ongoing revelation from God beyond Scripture
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However, it's important to note that not all Charismatic Christians accept or endorse these practices. Many within the mainstream Pentecostal and Charismatic world have distanced themselves from Bentley and similar figures.
Would you like to dive more into the Lakeland Revival, Todd Bentley, or the NAR?
Yes, there is a significant connection between the belief in the "angel Emma" and the prophetic ministries of Bob Jones and Paul Cain, both of whom were influential in shaping parts of the Kansas City Prophets movement—a precursor to what later became the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and broader Charismatic prophetic culture.
📌 Bob Jones and Paul Cain: Background
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Bob Jones was a prophetic figure associated with the Kansas City Prophets in the 1980s. He was known for having highly mystical, visionary experiences, often involving angels and symbolic dreams.
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Paul Cain was another influential prophetic figure in the same stream, often regarded as a father of the modern prophetic movement. He was known for accurate "words of knowledge" and was linked with movements promoting healing and revival.
Both men heavily influenced figures like Mike Bickle, Rick Joyner, and Todd Bentley—the latter being the one who made "Emma" widely known.
👼 Angel Emma and Bob Jones
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According to Todd Bentley, Bob Jones was the first person who told him about the angel Emma.
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Bentley claimed that Jones described Emma as an angel who had appeared during past revivals and was associated with prosperity and revelation.
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Bob Jones reportedly referred to Emma as an angel who helped birth movements or bring in finances, and Bentley claimed that Emma appeared to him shortly after Jones mentioned her.
Bentley once said (paraphrased): “Bob Jones told me about this angel Emma, and then I had a visitation. She had long hair, and she came with gold dust and a sense of peace, and miracles followed.”
This was met with significant pushback even within the prophetic movement, particularly due to the gendering of an angel and associating her with financial blessing, which many viewed as unbiblical or sensationalistic.
🚨 Controversies and Fallout
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Bob Jones and Paul Cain both experienced falls from grace related to moral failings, which further complicated their legacies.
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The angel Emma narrative became a flashpoint for criticism of Charismatic excesses and was cited by those warning against "unmoored spirituality" that prioritized mystical experiences over scriptural grounding.
So in Summary:
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Bob Jones was the originator (or at least a key transmitter) of the "angel Emma" concept.
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Todd Bentley ran with it, publicizing the name and linking it to his revival meetings and personal angelic encounters.
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Paul Cain’s direct link to Emma is less documented, but he was part of the same prophetic ecosystem that accepted angelic visitations as part of Christian life.
Would you like a timeline of how all this unfolded, or a deeper dive into the Kansas City Prophets’ influence on modern Charismatic movements?
ADDENDUM:
There is no direct evidence that Bob Jones (the prophetic minister associated with the Kansas City Prophets) ever personally taught or believed in the existence of an angel named Emma. The entire connection between Bob Jones and the so-called Emma angel seems to originate solely from the testimony of Todd Bentley.
Key Points:
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Todd Bentley is the one who publicly claimed to have encountered an angel named Emma.
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Bentley linked Emma to Bob Jones, suggesting that Jones had prior experiences or recognition of this angel.
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However, Bob Jones himself never wrote about, preached about, or confirmed belief in an angel named Emma in any of his publicly available teachings or prophecies.
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Many within the prophetic and charismatic communities have distanced themselves from Bentley's Emma angel story, and it has been a point of controversy.
So, to summarize:
➡️ Yes, the Emma angel narrative is entirely based on Todd Bentley’s testimony.
➡️ No direct, independent statements from Bob Jones confirm this belief.
Would you like a quote or video reference from Todd Bentley's original account for context?
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