What are the fundamental differences between Charismatic Pentecostals and Reformed?

[imperfectchristian]

Greetings,

I have a few questions that I was hoping I might be able to get some answers to here in the reformed area. First I will give a little background to share where I am at this point in my journey with the Lord.

I grew up in a Pentecostal church and rebelled against it early on. I eventually reconciled although in retrospect I realize it was with some significant reservations. I was an Assembly of God worship pastor for a few years and in that time I was confronted with teachings that challenged me to study the Scriptures as I never had before.

I was getting to the place where I felt utter frustration and a sense of defeatedness to where I was ready to just walk away from church and God and everything that resembled it when I discovered, or perhaps to say it more correctly, rediscovered the Gospel of Grace and realized for the first time that all of Scripture revolves and hinges on this.

Ovver the years I have been blessed by the writings / teachings of several Presbyterian minsters:

Dr. Peter Marshall
Rev. Kennedy (from Coral Ridge)
and most recently Eugene Peterson (Translator of The Message Bible)

However most of all of my influences have been from the Pentecostal church body and this last most recent time of deep exploration of the Scriptures have left me leaning towards reformed theology.

I do very much believe in the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues, however I firmly believe that the absolute most important and essential message is the Gospel of Grace and trusting in God's power working in us, not in our own effort.

I have attended a couple of reformed services years ago, and have thought about possibly attending again to try and find out more.

I consider myself Charismatic both in style of worship and in the belief in the present day gifts of the Spirit and, as I stated previously, I believe in a total reliance and focus upon the grace of God and am directly opposed to effort based and focused Christianity.

How common are Charismatics in the reformed movement and in what ways do their paths cross or go in different directions?

Do you agree that reformed theology champions grace and living a grace focused life?

Thanks for your replies in advance,

Blessings!

 

[Windlord]

I think Piper's a Charismatic isn't he? Or something like that.

 

[ReformedChapin]

Historically the reformed have been cessasionist that means they believe that the NT gifts have stopped. Now there is a new rise of new Calvinist who are continuationist but this isn't common in reformed theology.As far as other essential differences:

Pentecostals tend to be dispensational the reformed have historically have held to covenant theology.

Pentecostals usually attempt to imitate the early church while the reformed see the NT in the light of "redemptive history."

Reformed Baptist hold to credo-baptism but Presbyterians and Reformed Churches have historically been paedo-baptist. So in that sense RB match Pentecostalism.

Worship style in historic reformed churches tend to be more hymns in a traditional format while Pentecostal can be mixed with contemporary music and maybe hymns...it varies.

 

[imperfectchristian]

Thanks.

 

[desmalia]

I think two of the main issues tend to be 1) the doctrine of election vs. Arminian teaching (the vast majority of AOG churches are Arminian, if I'm not mistaken); and 2) Sola Scriptura. Again, I could be wrong, but from what I've seen, Reformed theology, whether charismatic or cessationist, generally holds to Sola Scriptura, whereas there seem to be quite a few charismatic churches that have wandered from that. Not all, I'm sure, but many.

You might find this article by John Piper helpful:
How to Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

 

[LiturgyInDMinor]

I like how Piper presented his case. It seems to jell with what I've always thought about this issue.

Thanks for sharing it des!