Charismatic Christianity

"The term "Charismatic Movement" is sometimes confused with the term "charismatic." The word "charismatic" is an umbrella term used to describe Christians both Protestant and Catholic who believe that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit such as the ones seen in the first century Christian church (see e.g. the book of Acts ), such as miracles, prophecy, and glossolalia (speaking in other tongues or languages), are available to contemporary Christians and may be experienced and practiced today. The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is central to the movement. However, the speaking in tongues is not part of the initial evidence but later developed. It is important to the movement to revive the gifts such as healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy as part of ministry since the gifts seem to have been neglected by the church. The word "charismatic" is derived from the Greek word χάρισμα ("gift," itself derived from χάρις, "grace" or "favor") which is the term used in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 12-14. By definition, a charismatic should be a joyful, grace-gifted Christian. The "Charismatic Movement," however, expresses the arrival of spiritual gifts in the historic mainline denominations." - Wikipedia

Today I want to speak a little about Charismactic Christianity and my thoughts on such things. It may get controversial because everyone has different opinions about it but this is my opinion. I was speaking to my brother and he was telling me about how Charismatics are starting to influence his church and how he felt the a twist in his gut, a feeling that something wasn't right. I feel this way many times about Charismactic Christianity as well. I believe many people desire to do the right thing. They grow up all their lives and hear about how we need to be radical for Christ and how it's ALL IN or nothing, but we see ourselves day after day falling short of such a calling. We grow up and see people crying, screaming, speaking in tongues, wailing, and dancing around crazily around us during a retreat or revival and we ask ourselves "Why not me? Is God not with me?" And people grow up with this heartful desire to WANT to be in the spirit yet with the guilt of not being able to do so.

I believe this is a perfect medium for Charismaticism to overwhelm some Christians today. I remember when I was first born again and filled with the Spirit my mind was blown. I was so excited. I wanted everyone to come to Christ and know what I know. Nothing else mattered to me. I served every ministry I can serve in. I cried all the time. I talked to random people on the street about Jesus. I spoke up in class and preached in middle of a college lecture. I did "Crazy" charismatic things. Then, I crashed and burned. Slowly as I matured in faith I understood what it meant to be steady and calm in Christ. However, some people fall into Charismaticism because for all there lives they've longed to be "Crazy" for God and when the spirit first hits them the emotion that it invokes and the genuine surge that comes over them (desire to read, desire to pray, desire to fast, etc) is just overwhelming and Charismaticism is the best and most accepting way of expressing it. But it can lead to such a dangerous road.

I am not saying Charismaticism and spiritual gifts are irrevelant, they are vital parts of the Christian walk and Christian faith. However, we need to be able to understand and control our gifts from God not let it control us. I hear many Charismatic christians talk about movements, spirit of this or spirit of that, the revival that broke up here and there, the prophecies that are posted on the web by any who feels they have a divine prophecy from God, visions, dreams, voices, demons, possessions, and etc. All these things in itself can be good, but when it becomes the sole foundation of our Christianity and the way that we worship it leads to a foundation on too many emotions and humanistic things. If God does not show you a vision are you not filled with the Spirit any longer? If you can't speak in tongues does that mean you are not near God? If God decides not to move and no revivals break out have we sinned? Don't we know? God is always moving. Whether it manifests into a physical sign God is moving. God is always here. God is always with us.

Another common thing I hear about Charismaticism is the talk of "going back to the church of Acts" and being "Raw" for God or even sins are labelled something fantastic like "Spirit of Jezebel". Jezebel is dead. Her spirit does not attack us till this day. Although it doesn't sound as glamorous, this sin is plainly called lust and it comes from the sinful nature of our natural hearts. All these things to me in my opinion are such hype ups and it glamorizes Christianity so people can be fascinated about it. It is true. There are many things that we need to learn from the church of Acts. But let's read further into the Bible. Is the church of Corinth and the church of Ephesus just like the first church of Acts? And if it wasn't did it NEED to be? No, we focus too much on one aspect of the Bible and glamorize it into something that people can believe in. When you go to Africa you see the need for a lot of Charismatic tactic in spiritual warfare because it is such a "raw" place. Black Magic, demonism, voodoo, and all these other spirits show themselves through demon possessions, blood sacrifices, chants, and etc. Satan attacks these people in a different way. In America another, and China another. Therefore the point I am trying to make is the fact that we don't need to go back to the Church of Acts. The church of Acts did the things that they did because of the spiritual warfare that they were facing called for it. I am also all down for being "Raw" and intense for God but I think it is more important to "Genuine" and consistent before God. I have seen more people come to genuine love for the Lord through quiet discipleships and Bible studies than I did in the emotion packed Revivals and screamings prayers of charismaticism.

In conclusion I believe spiritual gifts and passion for the Lord is more than important. It is a tool set of weapons that God gives us to lift one another up and protect ourselves from this Spiritual warfare that we are called to fight. It is real. I have seen it, but I am saying that it needs to be better understood and controlled. I was at a revival once and a charismatic girl was filled with the spirit and she started to speak in tongues and roll around the ground crying and praying. Then the music ended and lights turned on and it was time for the sermon. But she wouldn't stop. Some people see this and say "Oh the spirit is moving in her!" but its because immature Christians are too immature to understand that the girl is immature. Spiritual gifts although "raw" at first must be honed and grown. Just like a pro basketball player can have the natural ability to jump and shoot. The player must practice for hours and hours and unleash their natural talent. A mature Christian can be filled with the spirit and not show one outward sign of it at all, but have maturity to unleash it when it is needed. We need to understand that God is an orderly God, although untamed and able to do all, God works in order. He created the heavens and the earth on his schedule including even a day of rest, as if God needs rest!

So I hope as we all grow and mature in Christ, it won't be because of movements, gifts, or any outwardly shown actions. Rather its a deep understanding of the grace that we received. That even if I don't see one ounce of something "grand" we will still follow God. That even if our lives are crumbling around us and we don't "feel" God, the foundation of the fact that God has died for us on the cross is enough to withhold us and our faith in Him, that in HIS time he will deliver us. Let's be mature Christians who can harness the raw power that God has given us through the spirit to unleash it in the times needed, not need it in order to confirm our relationship to God.