I once discussed this question with an elderly Canon of the Cof E. His answer at that time was that the charismatic movement failed to be charismatic enough, in failing to allow the Holy Spirit to bring more charisma, more spiritual gifts and graces. It failed at times to be genuinely charismatic and truly manifest the power and the provision of God.
Sadly the charismatic movement produced some leaders who were self serving and self aggrandizing. It is also produced some Word of Faith hucksters who preached prosperity theology and also some tele-evangelists who made false claims about healings, miracles and how wealth should be acquired. Some leaders associated with the charismatic movement abused their positions of authority and influence. There were sexual scandals, false prophecies and wicked manipulation of young people. The horror stories and evidence of these sad scandals and sexual sins are recorded on YouTube videos. These vile acts were perpetrated by well established preachers and prophets.
Some people began to identify as post charismatic because they had been harmed by their experience of charismatic Christianity. They were clearly scarred emotionally and spiritually. The wounds were deep and devastating. It spelt disaster for some of these high profile preachers and prophets. There is still a lot of fall out and ongoing problems as a result of these malignant ministries.
Despite the damage and these disasters in the charismatic movement, there are thousands of Christians throughout the world who can testify to the value, benefits and blessings of charismatic renewal, genuine charismatic experience. They would say that the Holy Spirit has led them in spiritual realms, into a deeper reality of Christian living. This may be manifested in spiritual gifts, in healing, in holiness and a closer walk with the Lord, and often a new boldness in sharing and declaring their faith, power to live the Christian life as God intended.
The words of Acts 1:8 live, move and have a reality in a daily walk with the Lord when the Holy Spirit comes into hearts, minds and inner spirits. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is more than a doctrine and a theological position. It is an experience of God, an encounter with the Holy Spirit. He blows, moves and manifests Himself in ways that are above and beyond our limited human understanding. If we maintain that we have been touched and filled with the Holy Spirit then there should be evidence of holiness (as He is the Holy Spirit) and truth, for He guides us into all truth, and He glorifies the Saviour. If there is a genuine work of the Holy Spirit then we should expect such evidence.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad when people who proclaim that they are baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit fail to manifest the grace and truth of the Lord. They may claim power, authority and miraculous gifts but we should ask, are they glorifying the Lord and bringing folk closer to the Lord? Certainly those who have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit find a new confidence in witnessing, sharing their faith, and a deeper connection with the Lord.
ReplyDeleteMy father became a Christian during WW2, whilst he was based at Tobruk in North Africa. After the war he engaged regularly in open-air work, including spells in France with Douglas Scott, a Pentecostal evangelist from the Ilford, Essex area. My father recounted that during that period many people were healed and/ or delivered from demon possession.
ReplyDeleteHowever, during the 1960s and early 1970s he saw fewer people being healed through his ministry. I recall that on one occasion at a church prayer meeting he stood up and spoke about a demon-possessed man who had approached him on Southend seafront. My father said, with tears in his eyes, that he tried unsuccessfully to cast out the demon, and he felt that Pentecostal/ Charismatic Christians were too focussed on getting together to have a great time, than on a world outside that is turning away from God.