John+ Thank you for the article. I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but from Seminary days in the 1950’s until this present it has been apparent that when Christians disagree about “charismatic renewal” or the various Pentecostal movements, they are often talking past one another for want of precise use of language and understanding of Apostolic teaching in the New Testament. Some questions that help clarify for those with know theological training: Does Baptism mean anything? If yes, then all baptized persons have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Hence, the Church has always been gifted (charismatic). "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." For those who claim to be specially gifted, with powers their fellow Christians do not possess, other questions are pertinent: Do you speak infallibly for God? The revelation you have received, is it knowledge no other Christians have? Are your prayers for healing more effectual than that of other Christians? If one were to touch the hem of your garment, would he be healed? A pastor would not wish to “quench the spirit”, or discourage those who seek spiritual gifts. However, the search should be tempered by some reality checks, lest one think he “POSSESSES” the spirit, rather than the spirit possessing him. The one who seeks spiritual gifts should manifest in his life the 7 gifts of the Spirit mentioned in Scripture. Humility and the attitude that he is one who serves should be evident, along with the greatest gift, love. It should be apparent to all that unity in the Body of Christ is not possible if there is a partisan spirit manifested by Christian leaders. I was invited to participate in a number of prayer groups during the “charismatic renewal” that swept across a variety of denominations in Cincinnati during the 1970’s. Protestants and Catholics frequently met in small groups for prayer and encouragement. Most of these meetings were helpful and relatively sane. However, I remember one group that encouraged a reputedly gifted person to prophecy. Invariably, after giving messages to certain individuals in the group, the individual would launch into a description of Christ on the cross with hideous detail of his pain. I was convinced this person was deluded, mad. One young couple was convinced that the wife was healed of severe scoliosis. For a week or two they reported improvement in her condition. Finally, after a month, they realized the truth and reported back sadly, that because of their lack of faith, the wife was not healed. This incident was a dramatic example of how faith healers can destroy faith. A healing was promised; the couple believed, contrary to what their eyes witnessed, that healing had been achieved. When their minds finally accepted what their eyes saw, that she still had a severly bent spine, they doubted their relationship with Christ. When I related this story to another priest, it may have been Fr McNamara, he commented that the faith healer may have been demon possessed, as evidenced by the fortune-telling and the extravagant display of the sufferings of Christ on the Cross, taking pleasure in His pain. I like the Barna surveys for the most part. However, this one only reveals the confusion about spiritual gifts that has been apparent on the American scene since the days of the Great Awakening. Charles+. --- "John X. Leal" <jlealx1@...> wrote: > http://www.churchexecutive.com/Page.cfm/PageID/10470 > -- > > -- > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: > faithandlife-unsubscribe@... >