A few months ago the phrase ‘Charismata VI – Humanity’s Flaws’ came to mind. I understood the notion of Charismata I, II and III, the perceived movements of the Holy Spirit upon His church in the twentieth century. First, the rise of Pentecostalism, then the Charismatic Movement, followed by the aptly named, Third Wave. Personally, I came in on the third wave, though as my earlier posts reveal I had my moments with Pentecostalism and various Charismatics. So these blogs are from my personal perspective, as an observer and participator since 1977, as opposed to a trained historian. I’ve sought to share in these posts some of my experiences and reflections as I witnessed Spirit-Influenced churches over the past 40-plus years.
It's now 2023 - and I'm concerned.
Charismata VI lands more like a prophetic warning as opposed to an actual sixth move of God. Why six? Well, that’s the day God created humanity. Humanity which so sadly got led astray and fell. Whereas seven is God’s perfect number, the number of completeness, just see how often it turns up to describe God’s completing work in the Book of Revelation. In contrast, 6 falls short – it's not 7. It’s close, but it’s not the same – and therein lies the serious danger of Charismata VI. We might be wise to, or even paranoid about, the number of the beast, 666. But when Paul tells us the enemy can masquerade as an angel of light, we suddenly become less discerning of poor practices, that in turn can serve the enemy’s agenda more than that of the Kingdom of God. Wow - it’s getting heavy.
One of the worst mis-representations of God is a dull and impotent church.
If we were to score something out of a maximum of 7, 2 or 3 would be obviously poor. But a 6, we’d probably be happy with that. We could even create a theology around the value of being second best and falling short - I'm sure it features in a popular 'evangelistic' verse from Romans 3.
God loves to restore (Amen!), but I’m not sure He truly champions the cause of the second best, though He is committed to giving us a second (and third, and…) chance, Jonah, Simon Peter, even Paul, as his zeal for God becomes refocused on advancing God’s promised purposes.
I believe in a God who redeems. He can take the worse mess and turn it around, indeed isn't that how the Bible begins? - Genesis 1:1-3. I love the fact that the work of the pneumatikos is there in the opening paragraph!
We all need to read Revelation 4 once a week, tremble, weep, even fall face down in awe, as we praise God. Let's not take our eyes off the Throne (Colossians 3:1-2), especially as we plan and construct our Sunday worship events. And, yes, I do know how crass that sounds, 'constructing events' - yuk! But it's deliberately worded, to reflect the reality of an ever encroaching religiosity.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and again…) Jesus gives us one direct instruction about worshipping God, ‘in spirit and in truth’. It’s simple. But as an Argentine pastor (and personal mentor) once told me, ‘simple doesn’t always mean easy.’ How terrifyingly and frighteningly true that is!
Seemingly (according to Jesus) all the teachings of the Law and the Prophets can be summed up as, love God and love everyone else. How simple. Yet not necessarily that easy. Now, don’t get me started on my other hobbyhorse, but honestly… it amazes me at how many Bible studies we've attended and sermons we've listened to, yet the majority of us are still uncomfortable in operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, even less of us, capable of deliverance ministry. There’s probably more believers, thinking Christians can’t be demonised, than there are those confident to expel such vile and corrupting creatures. Don’t get me started! For deliverance ministry insights and a healthy theology around the subject read the relevant Appendix in my book, School of Prophecy.
Back to Charismata VI, my genuine concerns were highlighted in a story a friend of mine shared with me some 18 months or so ago. As a seasoned Pentecostal minister, he was given the additional task to provide some pastoral oversight for a group of recently retired ministers. It was suddenly national lockdown, the pandemic years of 2020-21. Eventually, on a Zoom call he asked the gathered group, “What was the main regret they had from their time in ministry?”
He got them to write their one sentence answers in the chat column, but not to send it until everyone had had a chance to write something. Then each retired minister pressed the send button together. My friend was amazed! Every single one of them had pretty much written the same thing,
I wish I’d pursue the Holy Spirt more.
I regret not praying more for healings and other miracles.
Failing to earnestly desire the gifts, and failing to encourage others to do the same
There was always too much us, the church, and not enough Him and His ministry.
Before we're all consumed with regret, here’s my question,
When was the last time you prayed the prayer, ‘Come, Holy Spirit’ and waited for the answer?
Simple. Though sadly, apparently not that easy. And therein lies the void and flaws of Charismata VI.
Charismata VI is not a new wave of God’s Spirit, but it may well define a season in the history of the twenty-first century church, when all was well, modern, and even attractive, yet empty. Like the church in Laodicea – blind to our own spiritual nakedness.
Charismata VI is not a new wave of God’s Spirit, it’s the saddening reality of Easy-Church without the Divine Eternal Source infusing our motives, plans and ministry.
Charismata VI is not a new wave of God’s Spirit, it’s the horror and blasphemy of religiosity, that is, having a form of Christianity, without its power.
Why have a kettle, if you’re never going to use it? Or, an electric fire, if you never plug it in?
So, 'Why have God?'
It’s not a rhetorical question! Your answers will shape and fuel your worship, praise, teaching, mission, and more… your answer will reset the course of your life.
Remember, Christianity is designed for the corporate setting (hence, church), so why not answer the question with the help and prayerful insights of others? It will be safer, stronger and more prophetically dynamic!
There’s plenty more I could say. More I could rant about. Perhaps more I could do to alert my colleagues and friends. But the Christian arena is already full of words, books, social media posts, warnings, bad eschatology, fear-mongering theology, ideas for church window-dressing, those simply finding fault, the critical, the hurtful and the damaging. I really don't want to be added to their unhelpful numbers.
So, I leave you with three words. Just three words. Pray this prayer and have the courage, patience and faith to await its answer.
Come, Holy Spirit.
To be continued
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