Demons in the Sanctuary
Demons in the Sanctuary (Miriam E. Bellamy, Trafford, 2008)
This is a fiction book about the supernatural in the church by a woman
who has served As a leader in several churches. Miriam Bellamy
is a former accountant who is now involved in writing and the
art community. Currently she resides in Cambridge , Ontario
The book is interesting because, according to some, it sheds light
on a later time in Ralph Rutledge's ministry when he was a pastor
of a church in the Kitchener Waterloo area of Ontario , Canada
A fiction book is often based on the writer's observations of actual events.
Nothing in the account can be taken literally, of course. Any discussion
of the book must remember that there may be truths about Ralph Rutledge
in the book but not everything in the book is true because it is,
after all, a work of fiction.
My approach to the book will be one of open minded curiosity.
Miriam observed Rev. Ralph Rutledge first hand. She was an
insider in the church where he was a pastor. When I read the book
I will be learning how deeply she and her family were effected
by Rutledge. I will be learning about his leadership style, how he
worked with the church boards and his financial accountability.
One quote from the book: "Resentment over her pastor's misspending
was gradually seeping into her awareness, gnawing at her spirit."
There will be one thing missing from the book. She cannot say:
"This man is Ralph Rutledge." But this we do know, Rutledge was
pastor at Good Samaritan Church .
Our author, Miriam Bellamy, was secretary-Treasurer of the
board of Good Samaritan Church
The senior pastor in the books first chapter is Pastor Rafe Rutherford
and one of the members of the church by the name of Mira is
concerned about her husband's alienation from the Pastor Rafe.
Pastor Rafe does not seem to take a personal interest in her
husband Dan. He always pressed Dan to do handyman duty
around the church and the parsonage. It seemed as if he's
only interested in what Dan can do for him. Dan had "caught
the minister in several lies completely souring him on the man."
I will have to purchase the book to read more and I suggest that
my readers do the same if they want to learn more about Pastor
Ralph Rutledge.
Dec. 29, 2009 Update: I have received word from a previous elder at Good Samaritan Church. His report is that Miriam Bellamy's book, Demons in the Sanctuary, "is a good portrayal of what it was actually like."
January 4, 2010: I will study Demons in the Sanctuary and post in a separate blog: http://prayer-power.blogspot.com/ the first entry on Chapter One is called: Masculine Tough and Feminine Soft. Other entries cover topics of Christian pastor providing spiritual covering, pastor in rebellion, control the exits with threats and curses, the blessing of unity, church scandal and financial wrongdoing, nicolaitanism - the triumph of clergy over the laity, and narcissistic personality pastor.
January 11, 2010 A confirmation from a member of the Board at Good Samaritan church with Miriam Bellamy when Ralph Rutledge was pastor that: "I was amazed. She wrote it just like it happened."
February 22, 2011 Another confirmation that 'Demons in the Sanctuary' is an accurate portrayal of Ralph Rutledge. I have just had contact from someone who knows the Rutledge family well and is well acquainted with Ralph Rutledge. This source gives testimony that Mariam's book "Demons in the Sanctuary" is an accurate portrayal of Rutledge's character.
February 22, 2011 Another confirmation that 'Demons in the Sanctuary' is an accurate portrayal of Ralph Rutledge. I have just had contact from someone who knows the Rutledge family well and is well acquainted with Ralph Rutledge. This source gives testimony that Mariam's book "Demons in the Sanctuary" is an accurate portrayal of Rutledge's character.
This source described Ralph Rutledge to me as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" - as one who is cunning, prideful and "someone who acts one way for you...and another for someone else. He always plays to his audience."
"It's crystal clear the only reason why you have chosen to discuss this issue, and the man is because his sin is ongoing, and he is a very real threat and danger to other unsuspecting believers. Especially vulnerable young men who are confused and having self identity problems.'
Related Posts: The Ralph Rutledge Queensway Scandal and Praying for Ralph Rutledge
Labels: demons in the sanctuary, Good Samaritan church, identity problems, Miriam Bellamy, Rev. Ralph Rutledge, wolf in sheep clothing
posted by George C. Hartwell @ Friday, December 25, 2009
6 Comments
6 Comments:
After reading your blogs, George Hartwell and Lorne Shepherd, I preceive some evidence of vindictive and hateful spirits in you. You have even taken an account from a misguided woman with a personal vendetta against a former pastor and are using it as fodder to promote what appears to be your own hatred of another brother in Christ. She wrote a fictitious novel based on her own perspective and a lot of hearsay nonsense. You even promoted this trash novel without reading it!
I cannot understand why someone in your field of work would go on the internet to vilify another person in the Body of Christ. You claim to be in the business of restoring relationships: yet, you seem to be continuing on a crusade to utterly destroy a brother in Christ, his wife and family members. Is this uplifting Christ and drawing others to Him? Is this healing His Body, many who cannot share their hidden problems because of people like you who act worse than those in the world. I would never refer anybody with problems to you, Mr. Hartwell and Mr. Shepherd. You and other so-called Christians who exhibit a perverted pleasure in 'burying their wounded' need a fresh revelation of the cross of Jesus Christ!
I speak of this matter personally because we attended Good Samaritan for many years and my husband was on the Board during the upheavel which caused great hurt to that church body. The author and her late husband were instrumental in trying to divide the church but over 84% of the members stood behind Pastor Rutledge.
My husband and I love and respect Pastor Ralph and Mrs. Rutledge and pray the Lord will continue to use them mightily in their senior years. We know the love this couple has for the Body of Christ.
You should be showing unconditional love for the Lord's Body. Never stop praying for hurting preachers and other believers who have made mistakes in the past. If they're away from the Lord, keep encouraging them to get back on the path of righteousness. Then, others will be able to discern that you are true Christians and not in name only.
I am very surprised that you, Mr. Hartwell initiated the writing of "Love Making His Way," which Lorne Shepherd wrote, because you two certainly don't appear to love His way. God's word says that true believers will be known by their love, that's love with no strings attached.
God is always ready to restore the penitent one. The precious blood of Jesus cancels all sin. God always allows us to have a fresh start. Isn't that amazing?
Glory to God for His wonderful grace and mercy!
In Christ,
Olga Brooks
Note: http://whereisthetruechurch.blogspot.com also contains the above comments!!
Thanks for the update Olga. I appreciate new or alternative information is needed to create the full picture. The Bible says that in the mouth of two or three witnesses a fact is established.
So you are going on record as saying that "Demons in the Sanctuary" is a fictitious novel based on Miriam's own perspective and a lot of hearsay nonsense.
I respect your opinion, your perspective. However, it is an opinion that can be tested by reality. Miriam took verbatim notes at the meetings and has archival records to support any that care to take this novel as revealing the true nature and character of Ralph Rutledge.
You've got to be kidding!
Further to your point.
It's not hateful, vindictive or a vendetta, but rather an expose of the facts. Otherwise correctly referred to as the 'truth'.
Get your head out of the preverbal sand for goodness sake, and stop trying to cover up sin.
You ask why this information is available to the public.
Because the Lord in His Word says that SIN, regardless of the person committing it, will be exposed. Unfortunately the individual(s)indulging in it are tainted when it finally comes to light.
And it always does after our Lord has given us numerous opportunities and a lot of time to repent.
Since God is patient, loving and long suffering, this generally occurs only when a person refuses to repent, and continues on in their destructive sin.
Want proof?
Matthew 7:16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Proverbs 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
I happen to be a relative of the Rutledge's and I can assure you, the story as told in this book, is true...down to the last letter!
The evidence speaks for itself, and yes I have read the book and because I know the characters personally, trust me...the narrative is accurate and this author has nothing to be ashamed about.
In fact...bravo.
Trash novel you say!
The only trash I see is, the awful sin and the attempts to cover it up.
If you care as much as you seem to, pray for this man that he will truly repent so his soul will be saved.
Also, stop being a part and parcel of the cover-up, or rather the lies. For to do so, is to be equally guilty - and as such enables the sinner to continue on with a seared conscious, insensitive to the spirit of God, and walking in his own righteousness.
Thanks for the supporting comments from someone who knows the situation and who has read Mariam Bellamy's book: "Demons in the sanctuary."
I know because after leaving this post they e-mailed me and I then phoned them.
This one has seen both sides of Rutledge:
"Yes, on one hand the Lord has used him mightily, but on the other side (hidden from the masses) there is pride and arrogance which now rules supreme. Isn't pride the sin Satan himself was guilty of?"
What your critics seem to forget is, Satan can come to a believer as a deceiving "Angel of light" 2 Corinthians 11: 14-15 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
It is clear you are not judging the man, but are only acting and protecting the interests of those who are most vulnerable to being devoured and deceived by Satan. The very lives and souls of men weigh in the balance."
Everyone has a point of view but this one has a first hand testimony to the facts conveyed by Bellamy in her book and me in my blog.
I like to personally interview my sources just to establish contact and to hear further of their testimony. I have confidence in the integrity of those who come forth to be witnesses to the truth. I have respect for their courage.
In John 18:37, Jesus described himself to Pilate as "a king who came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice."
Unfortunately, I myself being a former member on the board of directors at Good Samaritan Church, must verify the truth of what seemed like "a ball of cotton wool" our heads were in during 2001 scandal. there was a new youth pastor that allegedly was up to no good according to Pastor Ralph Rutledge but when the young pastor was confronted he was quick to accuse PRR of approaching him with misguided sexuality. Either way something was brewing and it was not Kingdom oriented. It was obvious to the board that the same pattern was weaving its way in yet again. As a group we, the entire board of directors took our findings to the elders of the church and they dismissed our claims, ultimately accusing us of being deceived, and that a man of God such as PRR is constantly the victum of satans accusatory destruction, and therefore is innocent. WOW we were shocked. That led to the resignation of at least 4 out of the five board members, myself included. I dont think any of us attended there after that, at least I did not. In conversations later with PRR My desire was to reach out and help him, I was praying for him the whole time. In one conversation he almost seemed to want to be free from the addiction even though we didnt talk specifically about the details just about redemption and sanctification through Christ Jesus. I was sure that I caught a glimpse of the repentant man but then the conversation went back to denial. I to this day continue to pray for his deliverance and restoration to powerful ministry. If PR could only imagine what God has planned for him; only if we all were to put God's will before our own. I do love the pastor greatly even though I have not spoken to him in many years I do wish him well. This letter is not intended in judgement, for we all fall short of the glory of God.
I pray that God's gentle healing conviction would find it's way into Pastor Ralphs's heart, and break through the hardness that the world and the work of the enemy has forged upon him. May you be free pastor, free to achieve the greatness that the Father has in store for you,and free to live in peace from this scandal,in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Redeemer. God bless you Pastor Ralph.
Thank you, Rev. Terry A Schmidt for sharing your experience at Good Samaritan Church and with Ralph Rutledge.
Thank you for your careful loving approach and your beautiful prayer for Ralph.
Thank you for a little background about the strong resistance that you and the Board of Directors received from the Elders. People need to be aware that confronting sin, dealing with such issues, even if all you want is for a Biblical process of investigation and confrontation, is usually met with violent and vehement opposition.
Whenever you expose evil, call sin sin or abuse abuse, there is a violent reaction like this. Satan does not like to be exposed, yet, Ephesians 5:11, calla us to do so.
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