Comments on: Charismatics Let Their Experiences Define Theology

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[...]Charismatics Let Their Experiences Define Theology « beauty of the bible[...]…

By: EBUBE G.

EBUBE G. — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:13:01 +0000

Annointing always makes the difference, but the devil is smart immitator of God to produce fakes of God’s work. Therefore there must be a criterion for discernment. As for me as a Catholic, the Catholic doctrine and theology is my criterion in discerning my charismatic experience. Elijah was not carried away with the eartquake and fire that Heralded the coming of God in a gentle breeze as some of us today will hastely settle for the fire or the earth and snub the real coming of God.
Also our Savior was not carried away with the sensations the devil was offering him in the desert during his temptations and at Getsamane. He rather chose the cross since that is the will of the Father for Him. But today we opt for gospel without cross in the name of annointing.
I will advise we humbly submit ourselves for scrutiny especially when our annointing seems to direct us against instituted authorities as Jesus instructed the cleansed lepers to present themselves to the priest, Paul endeavoured to meet Peter after his experience.
And more over let us trace the route of Paul to Rome and acknowledge the Primacy of Peter in the Pope, the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the need to hold in Honour Mary the mother of Jesus and the saints for this is perilious time – THE TIME OF FINAL SEPARATION – since 16th century The Catholic Church has been moving in one direction and others under uncountable sects are moving in different directions as against Jesus’ earnest prayer of UNITY in Jn.17.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:48:46 +0000

I agree with you, on the whole, and I appreciate you stopping by. I will check out your blog.

By: Acidri

Acidri — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:32:15 +0000

Very thought provoking post there. Thank you for highlighting very pertinent issues. I have always been proud to call my self charismatic in private but in public i prefer being called an evangelical christian. It just seems each time a the word “pentecostal” or “charismatic” is mentioned every one even the strongest of believers wants to run for the hills. The unbridled excesses of prosperity gospel in this time and age have bordered coveteousness and flirted with greed. Healing ministries have turned into institutions causing grievious bodily harm and profaned a once gracious gift and brought much disdain to the name of the Lord. Its with great sadness that i say this but i hope we charismatics are not delving into a different gospel. We have faith in faith rather than faith in Gods word…we name and claim…loose and bind but rarely inquire of the Lord first if it be his will. We are sripturally illiterate. Yet do not acknowlege our need; as the zeal for our fathers “earthly blessings” has consumed us.I use the pronoun “we” with great humility.My frustrations are well chronicled in my blog. Feel free to cast a stone or write in the sand.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:47:53 +0000

I just might do that. I think it would be an interesting topic. I’m sure it would generate a lot of comments.

By: Robert Jimenez

Robert Jimenez — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:39:26 +0000

Peter, you raise an interesting topic here. Why are Christians afraid to speak in those terms? I wanted to say something similar to your wife’s posting (obviously it would not have been so elegant), but I thought I should be more analytical as I know that my every words will be critic.

Maybe worth starting a new topic on this???

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:22:28 +0000

Excellent analysis. I agree. It’s an underdeveloped metaphor because Christians are, too often, afraid to talk in those terms. Thanks.

By: R. Eric Sawyer

R. Eric Sawyer — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:26:51 +0000

As you say, theology makes a perfectly serviceable idol itself. Interestingly, the more anything is like God, the easier it is to put it in the place of God. The more accurately a mirror reflects that which we wish to see, the easier it is to mistake the image for the reality. Accordingly, good theology is much more likely to become an idol than is bad. Joyous celebratory worship fully glorifying the Father and the risen Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit can itself be worshiped much more easily than the standard old 20 minute message, 2 stale hymns and two unnoticed verses of “Just as I am” Remember, it was a fallen angel that became Satan. A flee could never have fallen so far.

My wife also finds theology and doctrine musty and dull, even if necessary. But for me, the beauty of contemplating the Holy Trinity, and teasing out a few glimpses (it’s like looking at the sun through your fingers) of what that means for us and this creation, God’s plans for our future, why sin exists, and how we are to live with one another in the Church and especially in our marriages is a beauty to great to describe. The only like would be what I have experienced in a whole congregation singing “in the spirit” together, “lost in glory, love, and praise”

I love the metaphors that have been brought up about relationships, especially marital. At the risk of seeming crude, I think one of the best analogies for worship is marital sex. Or rather, sexual union and bliss is a pale foretaste of the glories of the worship around the throne. The horrible error of using sex as (usually) pagan worship is a sin-warped recognition that this is so.
On the other hand, listening to my wife, learning to understand her, wanting to know more, is theology. Wanting to have one, particularly the first joy without the second, proves me a scoundrel and cad, or worse.

Blessings!
-R. Eric Sawyer

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:10:17 +0000

Yeah, she’s pretty cool…and she’s the best kids’ pastor around.

By: Robert Jimenez

Robert Jimenez — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:06:29 +0000

Lori, well said. He is alive, and further he has given us His Spirit to dwell within us, and with us as we gather together as a community of believers.