Charismatic Reform, Idle Hands, and Devils

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A couple miscellaneous thoughts for the day…

J. Lee Grady of Charisma magazine lays down the smack in his article “It’s (Past) Time for a Charismatic Reformation.” Below is a sampling of his “15 Theses” (note: no truth to the rumor that these were stapled to the door of the Prayer Tower at Oral Roberts University):

1. Let’s reform our theology. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is God and He is holy. He is not an “it.” He is not a blob, a force, or an innate power. We must stop manipulating Him, commanding Him and throwing Him around.

2. Let’s return to the Bible. The Word of God is the foundation for the Christian experience. Any dramatic experience, no matter how spiritual it seems, must be tested by the Word and the Holy Spirit’s discernment. Visions, dreams, prophecies and encounters with angels must be in line with Scripture. If we don’t test them we could end up spreading deception.

3. It’s time for personal responsibility. We charismatics must stop blaming everything on demons. People are usually the problem.

The dozen others that follow are just as good—and necessary. As they say, read the whole thing.

If you’ve been a loyal reader of this charismatic blogger since 2003, you know I’ve been writing the same rebukes since day one. Too bad so few are listening. Perhaps with his larger pulpit Grady has a better shot of jackhammering through some concrete craniums. Then again, reading the comments on his article offers little hope of that being the case.

Angel feathers, anyone?

(HT: R.S.)

***

I get a lot of private emails sent to me by readers. Most of those emails I appreciate. But of late I seem to be getting more emails that read something like this:

Dear Brother Dan,

Thank you for contending so strongly for the faith through your writings on Cerulean Sanctum. It’s good to know that someone other than me is a real believer. You and I may be the last two Christians on the planet to hold a genuine, biblical faith. The rest of the (apostate) church is going to hell in a handbasket, but you and I, we’re standing on the Rock.

Which is why I’m writing to warn you that you have strayed from the Narrow Road by writing the unbiblical claptrap you did in your recent post. To save you from damnation, please read this 4,000 word warning, with appropriate Scriptures noted in full, showing how I am right and you have become just another heretic with a sucky blog…

Seriously, I’m beginning to think that the majority of the Christian West has become unhinged. What is with people anymore?

Look, if you’ve contemplated writing me such a letter, don’t. If you have that much time to correct me, do something far better with it. Spend that time serving the poor. Volunteer to read to the elderly in a nursing home. Visit the sick and shut-in. Do something TRULY worthwhile.

Because here’s what I’m going to do with your voluminous screed: DELETE.

There’s biblical correction, and then there’s pointless rants to nobodies. And yes, I’m a nobody. So find something more productive to do with your idle time.

This blogger thanks you. Have a great day in the Lord.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled, “heretical, sucky” blog.

16 thoughts on “Charismatic Reform, Idle Hands, and Devils

  1. David

    Not being in Charismatic circles, I just don’t get the jewels and feathers stuff, much less hitting people while praying. Really? Where does that come from? Certainly not the bible, where no evidence exists of jewels, glitter, feathers or punching bags. The “Personal Relationship with Jesus” has spun a bit out of control, and the result is not unlike the situation in Judges, where “everyone did as he saw fit”. It seems we are not so much a body of believers, as much as a mass of believers.

    • It’s the show, David. Problem is that the show has overwhelmed everything else. There shouldn’t be any show at all, but people still want to be entertained in church, so there you have it.

  2. Peyton

    Gold, Dan, gold! You forgot the gold (but did remember the feathers).

    How easily we forget the “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” bit. One step at a time is sooo last dispensation!

    And I DELETEd the “Dear Brother Dan” letter before I sent it.

    Keep the faith (once delivered to the saints)!

    Peyton

  3. If I ever have the urge to send you a “Dear Dan” e-mail, I promise I will pause and ponder the five words that have stopped me in my tracks several times already in similar temptations:

    “But what if he’s right?”

    • Headless Unicorn Guy

      Personal Butler or Familiar Spirit? (With some of the Demon Discerners and Spiritual Warfare types, it’s really hard to tell the difference…)

  4. OI

    I understand how you feel.

    I run my own blog, but have yet to have someone send me a long letter. At least not yet.

    If they have a problem with what I write, they usually send it to me in a comment.

    As of late, the only email I really got was just some guy playing games. Nothing serious.

    I hope from this day forward, long emails lessen and true supporters abound.

    Have a great day!

  5. Headless Unicorn Guy

    Seriously, I’m beginning to think that the majority of the Christian West has become unhinged. What is with people anymore?

    Around once a week, I have to phone my writing partner (the burned-out pastor) with the same question:

    “Did we go crazy, or did everybody else?”

    And he answers with a quote from one of the Desert Fathers:

    “There will come a time when men will go Mad. And they will lay hands on the sane among them, saying ‘You are not like us! You must be Mad!'”

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