I am not against Pentecostal &
Charismatic teaching but this video seems to be a great beginning point to
rethink where we lost our journey of an intellectual faith. I too sometime
enroll in Charismatic experience but I also give space in intellectual thinking
of my faith.
Rapture, hyper grace, Pentecostal
theology and Charismatic theology might have good intentions but in the hands
of an emotional being, these theological stands have brought a chaotic
environment today. Falling, shivering, jerking, shouting, jumping, rolling,
etc. have replaced our Christian identity and character. Now, I don't mean to
say these are ‘blasphemy against God’ and must be stopped. I too have
experienced these often. But it matters what kind of life we are living and how
much fruits of spirit we are bearing to build our Christian character. Just a
few hours of Charismatic camp revivals cannot transform us. I don't mean to say
we should be against these but we should be a conscious believer. There are
faults even in theological, intellectual and apologetic side not just hyper
spiritual. Its high time for us to reflect ourselves!
As Gary Kinnaman notes, we might
not have enough explanation for Charismatic activities.[1] Shouting, jerking, falling,
etc. have been a common trending during revival prayer in Pentecostal and
Charismatic denominations.
First and foremost, bottom line is
that, one should never establish any doctrines based on their experience. One
should not make steadfast doctrines and mandate it in a local church service. Wales
and Pyongyang revivals saw the manifestations of the Holy Spirit such as
unusual healing, speaking in tongues, deliverance and shaking and falling which
occurred all over US, South Africa and India. But they never made any doctrines
based on these experiences.[2]
Second, humans are emotional
beings. We differ in our personal nature of being introvert, extrovert, sensitive
or insensitive. We always have burden that we don’t manifest. We always have
wounds, scars, struggle, hopelessness and pain. When one comes to presence and
intimacy of God, then there is struggle within us. Perhaps, this might be
leading agent to jerking, falling, crying and so on. I know myself shivering when
I was praying with deep frustration at church in one special service. But our
focus should never be on these manifestations. Our focus is how we are taking
steps in our life, our personal intimacy with God, our Christian character and
discipline. Not everyone experiences these manifestations and nor they are any
signs of spirituality. Church should never expect these manifestations every
time. The bottom line is, whatever manifestations may it be and whatever the
source be, if we don’t manifest Christian character, discipline, and fruits
then these all are merely vain!
Third, church should encourage more
teaching sessions. To give a salient example, Pentecostal churches focus on exercise
of the Glossolalia. Again, I am not against it. The problem is, there seems
lack of teaching regarding its purpose, its use, and its goal. Some Charismatic
denominations have even more hyper teaching on this gift. It is necessary for
the church to provide an interacting environment so that believers can learn
intellectually along with practically. Paul did that in 1 Corinthians 14. We
have focus more on exercising and less on teaching. It doesn’t mean our
denomination neglects theological teaching but the focus seems inadequate. One
should also know what he is exercising and why.
Finally, intellectual Gospel is
only a rigid catalyst to sustain our life. Emotional Gospel can sometimes
hinder us in relationship with God, ourselves and our fellow believers but
intellectual Gospel gives a solid premise to understand God, ourselves and our neighborhoods.
The manifestations of the spirit might be genuine but the fruits are even more
vital. The churches at present time must understand this and take conscious step
to teach current generation. I am thankful towards Dr. Bhoj Raj pastor who
brought this important video! Ultimately, as a believer from a Pentecostal AG church,
it’s my sincere responsibility to learn, teach and guide others on these
controversial issues.
Thanks!
[1] Gary
D. Kinnaman, AND SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW (Translated and published in Nepali
language by Good News publisher, 2017), 9.
[2] Elmer
L. Towns and Douglas Porter, The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever: From Pentecost
to the Present (Ann Arbor, Mich: Vine Books, 2000).