The Shifting of the Church. The Dangers of the Charismatic Movement

     Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  In this article I would like to talk about the Charismatic Pentecostal Movement that continues to influence and infiltrate churches throughout the world. There will be people who will be upset after reading this article.  There also will be people who will understand the point and heed the warnings that accompany this article.  Either way this article is not intended to attack any one particular church or churches, but the intention is that the reader may be able to identify the actions and behavior of a movement that has wrecked havoc on the Church today.

INTRO:  

     The Church is made up of many people who have come to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  These people have identified themselves as Christians.  They belong to or have belonged to a group of believers.  These people are people like you and I who have thought that there had to be a better way to life than the one they were living.  They knew that if they continued in the path they were on they would end up in Hell, if not already living in one.  While this should be the motivation to accept Christ it is not always the fact.  There are those who have not come to a true revelation and understanding of Christ but rather have been brought in by another Gospel.  They have been persuaded not to repent but to join a group that promises life, peace, joy and prosperity.  This group has caused havoc on the Gospel and though they create such a wonderful show of religion, in reality they are nothing less than Satanist with a Christian twist.  Contrary to popular and general belief, Satanist are not worshipers of Satan but rather worshipers of self.  Though they do worship demons and such, the true intentions and motives is to fulfill and indulge themselves.  So it is with this movement.  Even the worship and message is centered around self.  The popularity of the Church is based on how one feels when they leave the Church rather than the seriousness of the message and the impact it has created on them.  Worship is not based on true worship but rather on the feel good holy goose bumps.  It is all about one's self rather than on Christ and His calling on a life.  While I am a believer that one should have some form of emotional connection to worship and the message, the intellect must be just as involved if not dominant in such.  That is TRUE WORSHIP in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.  John 4:23-24  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  (24)  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV)
     My prayer as a Pastor and Apologist is that you the believer will be able to understand and identify the trend that is effecting and polluting the orthodoxy of Christianity and that you will be able to understand what is truly from God and avoid such idle worship.

IN THE BEGINNING

    For lack of time and space I will not get too in depth to the beginning of the movement.  (There are a lot of resources on the web that will more than satisfy your curiosity.) Many dispute who the founders are and where they began but everyone seems to use and have the consensus that the Azusa Street Revival is the starting point of Pentecostalism.  There the Pentecostal Movement finds its foundation.  I have a lot of friends who are part of Churches who find their foundation in the Azusa Street Revival and even in conversations with them in the basic issues I have against the movement they all seem to agree with me. Please understand I am praying and seeking the Lord's face even as I write this.  They have seen the same things that I have seen and encounter the same issues that are encountered in other Charismatic Churches.  Such activity is universal and common in such churches.  These issues deal with the believers who are shallow and only think of themselves and not on Christ.  They exhibit a form of love and worship but it is not in Holiness.  Contentions, church splits and such accompany these churches.  People are refusing to read and study their bibles.  They can curse someone, live in fornication and continue to live a life of sin and yet are assured in Church that they are alright and that Jesus loves them just the way they are.  People are not called to the urgency to repent or to live holy and to live properly.  These problems are caused by the doctrines that are being taught in churches today based on the exposure to the Charismatic Movement.    

IS THE THIS FROM GOD?

    I believe the number one question one must ask themselves in reference to what is going on in Churches today is, "Is this from God?"  When we look at the Modern Day Church history it is not that difficult to have reservations on this question.  The Pentecostal movement started in and around the 1900's, during that time the Church began to evolve and change.  Despite the prohibition found in scripture, women were being ordained as Pastors, Speaking in tongues were done openly and without interpretation, worship and preaching styles became more emotional than spiritual and much more.  During the time of 1920-1970's the Church was at it's peak.  People were so on fire and so filled with the Holy Spirit that the Church in America began to grow in tremendous number.  Denominations and groups were forming out of nothing.  This had to be God, so many thought.  Every denomination from Baptist to Church of God started to put the Pentecostal label on themselves so that their Church could grow.  While the Church is so engulfed in and of itself, in the background Abortion was being legalized (1973), prayer was taken out of schools (1963), the bible was removed from the classroom (1963) including other things that have changed and effect our world today.  The problem is while people say that what was going on was from the Holy Spirit, biblical history teaches us differently.   In the Scriptures when the Holy Spirit is truly moving in the Church the civil government begins to change or is at least confronted.  Peter and John were considered those who were turning the world UPSIDE DOWN because of the Gospel.  Instead what we have encountered during the Charismatic movement is the world is being turned inside out.  It seems that this movement that we call "from God" had made our world worse and has lullabied the Church into some "Holy Trance".  The Church has truly been Slain but it is not from the Holy Spirit.  Don't get me wrong I believe the Gates of Hell SHALL NOT prevail against the Church but we are not talking about that now, since the Church is not dead and never will die.    

THEOLOGY AND THE CHURCH

      What happened?  As a theologian and prolific blogger, I can assure you that the Church has become illiterate.  It does not take a rocket scientist to know that.  If we were to pull church goers aside and ask them basic questions about their faith, we will find that the majority have not studied the bible.  Their Christianity is not based on what they read but rather on what they are told and what they have watched or heard.  This is why we have an apostate Church being so successful.  It dwells on the fact that people do not read their bible.  Instead devotionals, books and inserts are created for people to read so that scripture can be understood the way they wanted it to be interpreted.  The Charismatic Church Movement while giving the illusion of studying the bible does not promote it.  As a matter of fact those who claim doctrinal truths are called religious.  Theologians and Bible Teachers are called Pharisees and "out of touch" to the Spirit.  When theologians confront and expose these false practices using scriptures they become witch hunters and agents of Satan.  While the movement  claims some study and teaching of the bible such teachings are shallow and does not center on the text but rather on a few certain words that only show benefit the reader or the preacher.  Think about it.  How can a Church that believes and reads the Bible accept teachings such as Homosexuality, the Prosperity Gospel, Ordination of Women as Senior Pastors, Speaking in Tongues without interpretation and such?  The fact is they do not read the bible.  They have no Theology or Biblical Foundation based on the Holy Word of God.  Even those who have studied the Bible have by what they call "New Revelation", twisted the meaning and understanding of text.         

THE VOL ITAL NATURE

     There is such a vol-ital nature to the Charismatic Churches of today.  There is nothing wrong about being excited for Jesus.  We get excited for Jesus and we get excited in our prayer life and preaching and teaching.  Yet, there is a problem when such excitement begins to violate scripture or is not based on any scripture text.  These days the shunning of any religion is evident in Churches today.  When you walk into certain Churches these days there is no difference between walking into a conference center or a Sanctuary.  The cross and any religious memorabilia is removed.  There are no pew bibles anymore but they are replaced with announcements, church activity sheets and offering envelopes.  I do believe people should bring their bibles with them however they also should be available.  Sermons are replaced with highly colorful media presentations.  The only thing that is different between a rock concert and worship is the lyrics.  Flashing lights, hard music and sometimes even fog is presented on stage.  The Pastor is no longer the Pastor but rather Brother "John" and everyone is the same.  Some may even taken a different view and exalt their positions using apostle, prophet and such.   Going to Church is like going to the park or the mall.  The dress is no different for many and is never discussed or confronted.  People come to Christ in these Churches as gangsters, bikers, and such only to become Christian Gangsters, Christian Bikers and Such, with no difference only the label of Christian in front.  You may be asking at this time what does this have to do with the Pentecostal or Charismatic Movement?  Much - you see what the Charismatic Movement has taught churches today is that God does not care how you look or act, only that you are filled with the Holy Spirit.  Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the only importance to them.  That is why there are people who are "Holy Spirit filled" but their private life is a disaster.  They are the true Pharisee.  They look all good on the outside but inside they are dead bones.  I am sure that many will call those of us who has seen the damage of the Charismatic Church and speaking against it as Pharisees but the proof is in the pudding as they always say.  These Churches have opened peoples lives to demonic spirits and eastern mysticism type of worship.  People are put into trances by long and repetitive worship words and such.  While they exhibit a powerful move of God they are opening doors for demonic works.  The worship is not based on repentance or growth but rather a "give me more" attitude.  Even though they may live in a life of sin they exhibit a spirit of entitlement.  The so called Spirit in these churches is so unpredictable you do not know what is going to happen or how.  This is called being open to the the Spirit.  They exhibit the same condemnation as the Church in Corinth when Pauls says,  1 Corinthians 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying........1 Corinthians 14:32-33  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  (33)  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

  THE PRACTICE

    As a Pastor I have been influenced and have been touched by the Charismatic Movement myself.  Wanting to seek a closer walk with God I sought the emotional high rather than His Word.  I felt if I prayed more, sang more or worshiped more I would grow closer to Him.  While all these things are good and well, that was not going to draw me closer to God.  I found that it was when I got into the word of God it brought me closer.  Even as I type this, the expression of drawing closer and such provide a hint of Charismatic-ism.  

     The dangers of the Charismatic Movement while declaring a closer relationship with God is the disregard to scripture in its pursuits.  It leaves in its wake the common instructions and declarative truths of the scripture.  The Charismatic Movement has adopted things such as being Slain in the Spirit, this is where someone has been hit by the Holy Spirit that they fall on the ground as if dead or may be twitching or convulsing on the ground uncontrollably.  Drunk in the Spirit, this is where someone walks around as in a drunken stuper.  Speaking in tongues openly, this is where people have prayer in tongues without interpretation.  In this case the Pastor or Leader will tell everyone to speak in their heavenly language.  Holy laughter, this is where people will start to laugh uncontrollably.  Holy Fire Baptism, this is where a leader will yell, "Fire" or something and the whole crowd will fall.  There will be those who shake, shiver and convulse uncontrollably for no apparent reason.  There are many other things such as animal sounds, barking, yelling and screaming that can be heard during these exhibits of worship.  I believe that such worship is not only forbidden in the scripture but is demonic in nature.  I say this with a clear and clean heart for God.  They do not exhibit order and they do not edify the Church in anyway, only oneself.   

     Through and by the Charismatic Movement certain theologies and doctrines crept into the Church. These are doctrines such as the "Name it and claim it," this is the doctrine in which one professes what they want and claims they are going to get it.  There is no seeking God's will, just name it and claim it.  The Prosperity Doctrine is also taught which says that God wants to make you materially wealthy and that if you are wealthy you have God's blessing.  They teach that prosperity in this life is God's goal in your life.  Their teaching centers not on suffering or persevering but rather YOU.  Any type of suffering or trials is based on YOUR lack of faith.  

     When such teachers or practitioners are confronted on these issues, the only response is to blame their doing on the Holy Spirit.  Yet, I find it hard to believe that the Holy Spirit will violate scripture.  God is not a liar or the author of confusion.  These false teachers and preachers do not teach the bible but rather their own agenda based on satisfying the flesh.
   

CONVERSIONS

    As a Pastor I have struggled with the age old question of, "What about all those conversions?"  What about the Gospel being preached and all the work these churches are doing?  My answer is:  What about it?  Are these conversions benefiting the world?  All those Christians and all those who are coming to Christ by the Charismatic Movement are not effecting the world for Christ.  While they may exhibit good works as do other religions, the faith is superficial and shallow and does not call people into a Holy and Sober life with God.  While God is able to use people in all faiths for His purpose, the Gospel that they have believed in is empty.  When Christianity came to America by the puritans the Gospel was preached in holiness and sanctity.  The founding fathers protected the rights of Christians and America was founded.  Since the founding of Pentecostalism and the Charismatic Movement, Christianity has been on a moral decline and the world is growing more wicked.   During the 1960's the Charismatic Movement was at full force and yet the 1960's exhibited the most godlessness.  Again they exhibit forms of Godliness but no power.  How can a Church that is so filled with the Holy Spirit not impact a world that is so wicked?  

Titus 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.  

AND 

2 Timothy 3:5-7  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

     The cause is due to the fact that the Charismatic Church has made the Gospel an easy Gospel.  Just believe and repeat these words and everything will be fine.  There is no call of repentance or seeking of the Lord.  Altar calls are followed and accompanied with nice soothing music to entice the emotions of people.  People are coming to Christ because they want to have joy and peace in their life and never confront the sin in their life.  The Charismatic Church Movement has influenced Churches to believe that a person who repeats these words is saved and is left to the Holy Spirit to do the rest.  While I believe that the Holy Spirit has a very active role in the believer, the one who comes to believe in Christ must understand what they are believing and what is required.  Repent and Believe and be Baptized in the name of the Lord for the Remission of your sins.
    

   WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

    There are a lot of things that happen in the Spiritual world.  Things that I can not explain.  Whether they are from God or not, I can not tell unless I use the Bible.  For me to wonder if it is God, based on my experience would be dangerous.  How can I as a Christian dispute and say something is not from God, unless I can prove it in the Bible?  A person sees an image of Mary appear that tells them to worship and pray to her.  Is that from God?  No, of course not.  We are confident by that because the Bible tells us that no one is to be worshiped or prayed to except Christ.  So the Charismatic Movement comes into the scene and changes things based on Visions and Prophesies and Personal Revelations that someone has.  Despite the fact that they are contrary to scripture, people still believe it  and get excited about it.  Why, because there is no theology.  There is no bible.  There is no knowledge of truth.  These people can be drawn in to such heresies because they refuse to open the bible.  Next time you see such a church notice that a majority of the audience, do not have or read a bible.
     Are there speaking in tongues?  Yes.  Are there Miracles?   Yes.  Are there Healings?  Yes.  Are the gifts of the Spirit still present today?  Yes.  Should these gifts be used contrary to scripture?  No.  Yet, may account their flagrant violation of scripture to the Holy Spirit.  To excuse ones style of worship that contradicts scripture to the Holy Spirit is both useless and blasphemous.

    The truth is there is no problem with getting excited for Christ.  There is no problem with speaking in tongues according to 1 Corinthians 14 and there is no problem with Prophesy when done according to scripture.  After all that has been said and done there is a truth.  This truth is not based on a drwam or a vision someone had, but based on the Word of God.  It is this word that must be taught and believed on.
     So it is O.K. to shout, scream and yell to the Lord.  It is O.K. to dance and raise your hands and bow your knees.  It is O.K. to preach loud and hard and motivate the people and to be motivated.  Yet in all these things they must be done with order and purity.  The heart must be right and scripture must be followed.  One must control themselves even in excitement and should not be persuaded to accept or compromise the word of God.  Do not open yourself up to any other Spirit.  

IN CONCLUSION,

     Thank you for taking the time to read this article.  While I am not God, I know there is one and He has revealed his truth in His word.  I am just a man but the truths that are expressed here are not based on man's opinions but inspired by what God has shown in His word.  I do not judge and forbid anyone to judge an individuals heart.  It is up to the believer to withdraw oneself from the influences that are spoken here.  While only God knows the heart, those who sit under the false teachings of such churches fall under the same condemnation and are without excuse.    
  For sake of example I have provided below links and videos for you to view.  You can see the consequences of the influences of such a movement.  Please feel free to share and discuss these videos.  If you have any questions you may contact me.