Charismatic movement

The charismatic movement began with the adoption of certain beliefs typical of those held by Pentecostal Christians —specifically what are known as the biblical charisms of Christianity: speaking in tongues, prophesying, etc.—by those within mainstream Protestant and Catholic churches. Many charismatic Christians went on to form separate churches and denominations.

Charismatic is an umbrella term used to describe those Christians who believe that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit seen in the first century Christian Church, such as healing, miracles and glossolalia, are available to contemporary Christians and ought to be experienced and practiced today. Dr. Dale A. Robbins writes in regards to charismatic beliefs that Church history argues against the idea that charismatic gifts went away shortly after the apostolic age. Dr. Robbins quotes the early church father Irenaeus (ca. 130-202) as writing the following, "...we hear many of the brethren in the church who have prophetic gifts, and who speak in tongues through the spirit, and who also bring to light the secret things of men for their benefit of knowledge...". Dr. Robbins also cites Irenaeus writing, "When God saw it necessary, and the church prayed and fasted much, they did miraculous things, even of bringing back the spirit to a dead man." According to Dr. Robbin, Tertullian (ca.155–230) reported similar incidents as did Origen (ca.182-251), Eusebius (ca.275–339), Firmilian (ca.232-269), and Chrysostom (ca.347-407).^* The word charismatic is derived from the Greek word charis (meaning a grace or a gift) which is the term used in the Bible to describe a wide range of supernatural experiences (especially in 1 Corinthians 12-14).

Often confused with Pentecostalism (which it was inspired by), charismatic Christianity tends to differ in key aspects: most charismatics reject the preeminence given by Pentecostalism to glossolalia, reject what they consider to be legalism sometimes associated with Pentecostalism, and often stay in their existing denominations such as Roman Catholic Charismatics.

Because of the continual cross-over between Pentecostalism and the modern charismatic movement, it is increasingly difficult to speak of charismatics and Pentecostals as being part of separate movements. Yet because neither movement is monolithic, it is also unfair to speak of them as being one movement either. The difference is primarily one of origins. Beliefs of the two groups are very similar; each movement, however, is unique in its historical beginnings. Having been conceived in unique contexts, the difference may secondarily be described in terms of contrasting church cultures evidenced through each movement's manners and customs (i.e., worship styles, preaching styles, altar ministry methods). Until a more acceptable broad nomenclature is used, it needs to be understood that both movements share a great deal in common, and yet can sometimes be clearly differentiated.

History

Beginnings 1950-1975

While it is difficult to locate the place and time that charismatic Christianity began to influence the mainstream churches, Dennis Bennett, an American Episcopalian, is often cited as the movement's seminal influence. Bennett was the Rector at St Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys California when he announced to the congregation in 1960 that he had received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Soon after this he was ministering in Vancouver where he ran many workshops and seminars about the work of the Holy Spirit.^* This influenced tens of thousands of Anglicans world-wide and also began a renewal movement within the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches.

In the 1960s and 1970s there was a renewed interest in the supernatural gifts of the Spirit in mainstream churches such as the Episcopal, Lutheran and Catholic churches. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal was focused in individuals like Kevin Ranaghan and his group of followers at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Dennis Bennett was Ranaghan's counterpart in the Episcopal Church.

The charismatic renewal movement in the Eastern Orthodox Church never exerted the influence that it did in other mainstream churches. Individual priests, such as Fr. Eusebius Stephanou of the Greek Orthodox Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, founder of the Brotherhood of St. Symeon the New Theologian, Fr. Athanasius Emmert of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese and Fr. Boris Zabrodsky of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America, founder of the Service Committee for Orthodox Spiritual Renewal (SCOSR) which published "Theosis" Newsletter, were some of the more prominent leaders of the charismatic renewal in Orthodoxy.

On an international level, David du Plessis along with a host of others (including Lutheran and even Southern Baptist ministers) promoted the movement. The latter did not last long with their denominations, either volunteering to leave or being asked to do so. But in the Episcopal and Catholic churches priests were permitted to continue on in their parishes, provided they did not allow these concerns to create major divisions within their congregations.

Change 1975-2000

While there are many charismatics within established denominations, many have left or have been forced out and have joined either more progressive Pentecostal churches or formed their own churches or denominations. The house church movement in the UK and the Vineyard movement in the USA are examples of a formal charismatic structure. The Hillsong Church in Australia is an example of a Pentecostal church that has embraced charismatic belief and practices, which has, in turn, influenced the Australian Assemblies of God denomination. In New Zealand, the pre-eminent Pentecostal movement has been the New Life Churches, although other local and international Pentecostal denominations are also well established.

Since the mid 1980s, the charismatic movement has made some notable changes in its theology and emphases. This process has been termed The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit and has been typified by the ministry of C. Peter Wagner, Word-faith Theology and the Toronto blessing phenomenon. Some opponents of the charismatic movement have noted that these recent trends have been influenced heavily by the Latter Rain Movement of the 1950s within the Pentecostal churches — a movement that was officially declared heresy by The Assemblies of God at the time.

There appears to be a great deal of evidence which shows that, since 1975, the charismatic movement has been influenced by the Latter Rain Movement and its influential teachers (such as William M. Branham). This can be explained by the desire of charismatic Christians to enter into fellowship with those within the Christian church who have experienced similar forms of Religious ecstasy. As a result of this, charismatics came into contact with both mainstream Pentecostalism as well as the Latter Rain Movement. It appears that modern-day charismatics and Pentecostals are far more united in experience and theology because both movements have adopted elements of Latter Rain teachings.

Charismatics: a world perspective

As noted earlier, pentecostal and charismatic are often used interchangeably. With that in mind, according to Christianity Today, Pentecostalism is "a vibrant faith among the poor; it reaches into the daily lives of believers, offering not only hope but a new way of living." In addition, according to a 1999 U.N. report, "Pentecostal churches have been the most successful at recruiting its members from the poorest of the poor." ^* Christianity Today also noted that Brazilian Pentecostals talk of Jesus as someone real and close to them and doing things for them including providing food and shelter. In addition, according to Christianity Today, "Scholars have long branded Pentecostalism an eminently 'otherworldly' religion, focused more on things above than the mundane below. To many that seems like a foregone conclusion, given the movement's emphasis on charismatic experiences, intense religiosity, and ascetic tendencies. Even highly respected Pentecostal scholars argue this point." [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/013/36.107.html

Charismatic denominations

The following groups are all charismatic, although some of them would describe themselves as non-denominational:

Charismatic movement and Pentecostalism

The charismatic movement shares many similarities with Pentecostalism, and the stages of the latter seem to have been a prerequisite for the further developing of the said topic. The influence of Pentecostalism upon the charismatic movement cannot be denied. Both acknowledge the power of the Holy Spirit. Faith healing has major acceptance among adherents of both faiths, and both are known for their fiery services. Even still, many differences will allow a person to discern a charismatic from a Pentecostal, though some consider themselves both.

Pentecostals developed their own denomination, but charismatics tend to remain in their respective established churches or religious bodies. Charismatics have been susceptible to criticism that exceeds that of Pentecostalism, but criticism of both is widespread in comparison to other religious movements. Pentecostalism also developed significantly earlier than the charismatic Movement.

Catholicism

Main article: Catholic Charismatic Renewal

While charismatic Christians are not exclusive to any single denomination, charismatic theology is not uniquely Protestant. There is a burgeoning charismatic movement within the Catholic Church, and Pope John Paul II was reputed to have had a charismatic priest as his personal pastor.

In the Roman Catholic church, the movement became particularly popular in the Filipino and Hispanic communities of the United States, and in the Philippines itself. Traveling priests and lay people associated with the movement often visit parishes and sing what are known as charismatic masses. It is thought to be the second largest distinct sub-movement within Roman Catholicism, along with Traditional Catholicism. It presents a difficult situation for many Church authorities, who, as always, must be careful to admit innovation only where it is clear the innovation is consistent with the Bible and the teachings of the Church.

Criticism of the movement

With the rise in popularity and influence of the charismatic movement, a number of criticisms have arisen from Christians who are outside the movement. Cessationists (popular amongst Southern Baptists) believe that the spiritual gifts that charismatics experience are no longer available to the church, and argue that these experiences are demonic and/or psychological in nature.

Critics sometimes use the word in a derisive manner and generally believe and teach that charismatics are everything from shallow to dangerous — even demon possessed, although this latter charge is increasingly rare as charismatic and Pentecostal groups become more established in the religious landscape.

Also argued is that the Charismatic movement is heavily seated with an interest in finance, selling books, DVD's and CDs of ministries with a strong stance on tithing. This is further strengthened in argument by the more common occurrence of TV evangelism and various ministries where commerce and money is mentioned in every service.

Theologians and scholars

Other charismatic theologians are listed in the article entitled Renewal Theologians.

External links

Alternative viewpoints

The Association of Former Pentecostals A non-profit association uniting former Pentecostals and charismatics worldwide.
List and Explanation of Miracle Gifts - by Jason Robertson at Fide-O
The Prayer Language Error - by Jason Robertson at Fide-O

Academic Study

The European Research Network on Global Pentecostalism (GloPent) is an initiative by three leading European Universities in Pentecostal studies networking academic research on Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.
- PentecoStudies: Online Journal for the Interdisciplinary Study of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements published under the auspices of GloPent

Christian evangelicalism | Christian theology | Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity

History

Beginnings 1950-1975

Change 1975-2000

Charismatics: a world perspective

Charismatic denominations

Charismatic movement and Pentecostalism

Catholicism

Criticism of the movement

Theologians and scholars

See also

Further reading

External links

Alternative viewpoints

Academic Study

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Charismatic movement

History

Beginnings 1950-1975

Change 1975-2000

Charismatics: a world perspective

Charismatic denominations

Charismatic movement and Pentecostalism

Catholicism

Criticism of the movement

Theologians and scholars

See also

Further reading

External links

Alternative viewpoints

Academic Study