RM and Charismatic Movement

[DanielRB]

Peace, All :wave:

Growing up in the RM (Independent Christian Churches), the Charismatic issue was one that really was wrestled with. In the end, most Charismatics (locally) left the RM.

Was has been your experience?

In Christ,

Daniel

[crawfish]

They seem to be at the opposite ends of the spectrum. RMers tend to be high on rationalism and low on experience; charismatics, the other way around.

One of the things that got me out of the "critical mode" about other versions of Christianity was when I realized that the intellectual but emotionally dry services you get in most CofC's was very unsatisfying to a large number of people, even though it filled my logical mind. I'm a bit uncomfortable with some Charismatic theology; however, I see the value in the pure experiential for some people.

[Frame1520]

They seem to be at the opposite ends of the spectrum. RMers tend to be high on rationalism and low on experience; charismatics, the other way around.

One of the things that got me out of the "critical mode" about other versions of Christianity was when I realized that the intellectual but emotionally dry services you get in most CofC's was very unsatisfying to a large number of people, even though it filled my logical mind. I'm a bit uncomfortable with some Charismatic theology; however, I see the value in the pure experiential for some people.

To be fully balanced, there has to be some middle ground. Often times, RM and charismatic's clash due to their inability to recognize that you can be emotional/feeling oriented as well as being rational/less emotional. The problem lies within falling victim to becoming too extreme one way or another.

Have not had much experience with charismatics within the RM churches I've been a part of.

[crawfish]

To be fully balanced, there has to be some middle ground. Often times, RM and charismatic's clash due to their inability to recognize that you can be emotional/feeling oriented as well as being rational/less emotional. The problem lies within falling victim to becoming too extreme one way or another.

Have not had much experience with charismatics within the RM churches I've been a part of.
I do agree with that. The problem isn't necessarily one's approach to worship; it is in viewing that your style is "right" and anybody who does it differently is "wrong". If you've ever studied personality psychology (Meyer's-Briggs, Enniagrams, etc), you'll know that people are VERY different than each other from the core; two people can hear the same words and come away with an entirely different message.

There is value and strength in difference. We can reach more people when we have offerings that appeal to all types (holding onto Biblical truths but allowing differences in personal faiths).

[annie1speed]

I agree with Frame1520. Sometimes folks want to avoid something so much they go clear over to the opposite extreme.

As a member of the Church of Christ I understand the desire to avoid a 'feelgood Christianity' that is devoid of substance. On the other hand I am amazed at the depth of our Savior's love and sacrafice every time I read Romans 5. Who can read that chapter and be unmoved??

We should strive for that middle ground. Have ya'll turned to Romans 5 yet? :D

[DanielRB]

Thanks for the posts, everyone.

I guess my impression was not so much the emotional/intellectual divide, but that most in the RM were leery of anything that might smack of a "new revelation", ouside of the New Testament.

Sometimes in charismatic circles people would speak a "word of knowledge" or a "word of wisdom" or even an out-and-out "prophecy"...I think most in the RM get the short hairs on the back of their necks standing when they hear this. To give a "thus saith the Lord" outside of the written Word seems to give an open channel to all sorts of weird things (especially considering some of the more well-publicized abuses of the charismatic movement.)

I think the "charismatic style" of worship left an indelible mark on certain RM churches, even those who never had any charismatics in it. You know, the praise songs and using instruments other than the piano and organ (at least in the instrumental churches).

In Christ,

Daniel

[Wordgazer]

I went the opposite way. :) I'm a Charismatic who joined an RM church (ICC).

The charismatic church I went to wasn't short on doctrine at all. In fact, they had a very clear and logical way of approaching and interpreting the Scriptures. They believed that where the Scriptures spoke of supernatural gifts, those gifts were still in effect, that's all. They did emphasize experience, yes, but they didn't throw out rationality, clear exegesis, or doctrine.

The reason I stopped going to a charismatic church actually had nothing to do with their being charismatic. I know there are some charismatic churches that go overboard into all sorts of "weird" stuff, whether biblically supported or not-- but mine really didn't.

The reason I left was because I got tired of a mindset that there was only one "correct" way to act, think and be. The ICC I found focuses on Christ alone; it preaches without compromise where the Bible is clear, and lets its members think for themselves where the Bible is less clear or is silent.

The charismatic church I was in saw itself as having a specific mission-- to young people on campuses across the world. If you didn't feel called to that mission, once you were out of college yourself, you found yourself more and more left out. There wasn't one member older than 45-- and everyone over college age was considered to be there mostly just to support the college ministry financially and in prayer.

The ICC church I belong to now allows its members to feel different callings, different leadings. It has a variety of activities one can get involved in-- from ministry to the poor, to children's ministry, to college ministry, to seniors ministry. The members range in age from infancy to 90+. If your lifestyle is different from that of other members-- if you watch different shows on TV or listen to different music, if you prefer walks in the woods to huge prayer meetings, if your politics lean more to the center or even slightly left-- you are still accepted in my ICC church. I'm afraid I really couldn't say that about my charismatic church. I don't blame them, I don't judge them-- I know that church and its members are doing their best to follow Christ-- but it's not for me. I seem, as I grow older, to want less and less of people (other than God Himself) telling me what to think and do. I want to do that for myself. :)