Charismatics

[senzi]

What are your thoughts on the Charismatic movement? The whole thing which can include lively worship, tongues, people being slain, laughing, crying, rolling about - you know the whole thing. My church is Charismatic but I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with some of the "goings on" there, it's not as bad as some but it seems to be becoming more Charismatic. I love the lively worship, I believe that worship should be spontaneous, heartfelt and enthusiastic and at times I do get emotional but it's more personal for me - I don't feel the need to let everyone know. Some of the other stuff that goes on at times I'm not so enthused about. I have spoken to like-minded people at the church and we all seem to feel that we aren't "spiritual" enough but then at other times I wonder if it's all real. I think it can be but for sure not always and not everyone is always being real.

Please I respectfully ask to respect the opinions of all and keep this thread on topic and civilised, thank you.

My apologies if this is slightly off topic, but I would describe myself as charasmatic, it is how I would term the nt church. Yet I find more Baptists for instance who would not class themselves charasmatic have a better understanding of the gospel of grace Paul preached than would many appear to have who are members of charasmatic/evangelical churches. It should be the other way round methinks. A real puzzle

 

[Willie-T]

My apologies if this is slightly off topic, but I would describe myself as charasmatic, it is how I would term the nt church. Yet I find more Baptists for instance who would not class themselves charasmatic have a better understanding of the gospel of grace Paul preached than would many appear to have who are members of charasmatic/evangelical churches. It should be the other way round methinks. A real puzzle

Any flaunted extreme of belief for experiential gratification goes against the message of Christ. This is... worshiping the Bible, or laws, or pageantry, or acquired knowledge, or gyrating across the floor to conjure a feeling of "God's presence and/or acceptance."

Christ was not about telling us what "proper" worship should look like in a building, but rather how we should interact with other human beings everywhere.... including far outside the church building.

I've met many Catholics whose hearts seemed more attuned to Jesus than a lot of Charismatic's.

 

[atwhatcost]

Any flaunted extreme of belief for experiential gratification goes against the message of Christ. This is... worshiping the Bible, or laws, or pageantry, or acquired knowledge, or gyrating across the floor to conjure a feeling of "God's presence and/or acceptance."

Christ was not about telling us what "proper" worship should look like in a building, but rather how we should interact with other human beings everywhere.... including far outside the church building.

I've met many Catholics whose hearts seemed more attuned to Jesus than a lot of Charismatic's.

Really? It's the one who already knew more about the scrolls then the men hanging around the temple did at age 12 (Jesus) against acquiring knowledge? Now you tell me! Now you tell him. lol

Isn't this just you flaunting "extreme of belief for experiential gratification?"

 

[sassylady]

Don't be intimidated by the ones who seem so Spiritual and caught up in the moment. Worship in your way. I have seen so many people who appeared super Spiritual at church, for lack of a better way to put it, and their lives were a mess and they did not live a pure life at all outside of church.

 

[Willie-T]

Really? It's the one who already knew more about the scrolls then the men hanging around the temple did at age 12 (Jesus) against acquiring knowledge? Now you tell me! Now you tell him. lol

Isn't this just you flaunting "extreme of belief for experiential gratification?"

Striving for the acquisition of knowledge as a means to achieving an appearance of righteousness is one of the largest sins of pride... and it is precisely what the Pharisees tried to do.

 

[ladylynn]

It is such a waste of time and energy to be looking at other people. To think we can judge what they are thinking when they talk or worship the Lord. Their singing style., their preaching style.,hairstyle., clothes., That is why it gets my dander up when Christians start condemning tv preachers and their life styles and what they do or don't do with their money.

There are tons of believers who are not perfect and their lives are not perfect and yet they are truly loved and lead by the HolySpirit. (just look at yourself) It is really a sad thing when believers take apart a person based on what they see. This is a major error and something I have to actively fight within myself. Finding chinks in someone's armor is very easy to do. Finding the best in someone is not so easy. Love is the higher calling.

Haven't we all seen it is a natural inclination for humans to judge each other? People often vote for someone based on how they look and carry themselves. The clothes they wear and the cars they drive. When we meet people we notice how clean their houses are, how obedient their kids are.,etc.. how disciplined they are as a person.

There is a ton of stuff in us that God shows us over a period of time. Not all at once (thank YOU Lord for that) it is a progressive revelation to see by the washing of the Word how to think right. It is impossible to know what needs changing until we are beginning to change and how our old mind sets are in need of renewal. Just when we think we have arrived we see a new wrinkle and God assures us He knew it all along and now it is our turn to see it and be rid of it.

This obvious struggle we all have has got to make us stop before we start criticizing other people. When you think of the grace shown to us by God in Christ, how can we so flippantly find fault with other believers who preach the gospel?

Another reason to realize we are forgiven of all sin...past....,present.....and future when we received Jesus as Savior.

 

[tanach]

Yes Superstar and Godspell did have a big influence, God uses all sorts of things to lead people to him. I went to Sunday School as a child but it made little impression on me at the time. I was in my early twenties, when one morning on my way to work I looked at a railway station bookstall. Among those on sale was a book called the trial of Jesus of Nazereth I cant remember the
Author but it wasn't a Christian book. It started me on a long search for spiritual meaning to my life.

 

[Willie-T]

S. G. F. Brandon

There was a Christian version called just, The Trial of Jesus, by Walter Chandler.

 

[Grandpa]

What kind of church would be the perfect church?

I've liked something about every church I've been to. And I've disliked something about every church I've been to.

Sometimes solemnity seems to be best.
Sometimes celebration seems to be best.

Too bad all the churches I've been to are either one or the other. All the time.

Alot of times solemn people need celebration. And boisterous people could use some solemnity.

Maybe its better to be a little uncomfortable in church rather than too comfortable...?

I don't think there are any perfect churches. But it sure is nice to think about.

 

[ladylynn]

What kind of church would be the perfect church?

I've liked something about every church I've been to. And I've disliked something about every church I've been to.

Sometimes solemnity seems to be best.
Sometimes celebration seems to be best.

Too bad all the churches I've been to are either one or the other. All the time.

Alot of times solemn people need celebration. And boisterous people could use some solemnity.

Maybe its better to be a little uncomfortable in church rather than too comfortable...?

I don't think there are any perfect churches. But it sure is nice to think about.

Amen to that Grandpa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I was in church with you I'd say Alleluia Brother!!!

 

[HappyGuy]

well first of all my self personally we are the Church. Secondly if I was going to a building church where Brothers and Sisters are gathering to hear a Preacher preach it would have to be a Born Again Church that preachs the Full Gospel of Jesus Christ and Believes in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Speaking in tongues.