Charismatic Christianity

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Charismatic Christianity is a form of Christianity that emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts as an everyday part of a believer's life. [1] It has a global presence in the Christian community. [2] Practitioners are often called Charismatic Christians or Renewalists. Although there is considerable overlap, Charismatic Christianity is often categorized into three separate groups: Pentecostalism, the Charismatic movement (which is spread across historical Christian denominations), and the Neo-charismatic movement.

Contents

Charismatic Christianity grew out of Protestantism [3] and is distinguished from Pentecostalism by making the act of speaking in tongues no longer necessary as evidence of baptism with the Holy Spirit, and giving prominence to a diversity of spiritual gifts. According to the Pew Research Center, Pentecostals and Charismatic Christians number over 584 million worldwide as of 2011. [4]

Etymology

The term charismatic derives from the Greek word χάρισμαcharisma ('gift', itself derived from χάρις, 'grace, favor'). [5] The 17th century form charism specifically refers to divine gifts. Middle English also adopted the word as karisme to refer to gifts of healing and teaching. [6]

History

With traditions of Pentecostalism already developed in the 18th century out of Protestant evangelicalism, [7] the beginning of the charismatic movement in historic Christian churches came in 1960 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Van Nuys, California. Dennis Bennett, the church's rector, announced to the congregation that he had received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. [8]

Praise and worship during a Catholic Charismatic Renewal healing service Tarxien erwieh.jpg
Praise and worship during a Catholic Charismatic Renewal healing service

The charismatic movement reached Lutherans and Presbyterians in 1962. [9] Among Roman Catholics, it spread around 1967. [10] [3] Methodists became involved in the charismatic movement in the 1970s. [11]

Some nondenominational evangelical churches decided to follow this movement and take distance from their Pentecostal conventions. [12] Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, is one of the first evangelical neo-charismatic churches started in 1965. [13] [ unreliable source? ] In the United Kingdom, Jesus Army, founded in 1969, is an example of the impact outside of the United States. [14] The spread of the charismatic movement outside of the US was also encouraged by Bennett, who traveled to Vancouver to minister there. [13] [ unreliable source? ] Many other congregations were established in the rest of the world. [15] Modern churches internationally have embraced the charismatic movement or adapted their own practices to incorporate it. In the United Kingdom, the house church movement has grown to include charismatic practices. Hillsong Church in Australia is another example of a Pentecostal church that incorporates the charismatic movement. [16] The neo-charismatic movement, also known as the Third Wave, a term coined by C. Peter Wagner, has also spread widely since 1970; these churches often reject the charismatic or Pentecostal label but accept the general practice of accepting gifts of the Spirit. [7]

Some scholars attribute the quick and successful spread of charismatic Christianity to its successful use of mass media platforms, but also to the physical experience of religion that it provides, which creates a personal connection to spiritual mediation for believers. [17]

Distinguishing beliefs

Charismatic Christianity is an overarching grouping of connected beliefs and practices, and is not itself strictly defined within specific practices. Denominations within the grouping share a spirituality characterized by a worldview where miracles, signs and wonders, and other supernatural occurrences are expected to be present in the lives of believers. This includes the presence of spiritual gifts, such as prophecy and healing. While similar in many respects, some sub-groups do differ in important ways. These differences have led to Charismatic Christianity being categorized into three main groups: Pentecostalism, the Charismatic Movement, and Neo-charismatic Movement. [18]

The Charismatic movement has sometimes been related to the New Age revival in the United States from the 1960s and 1970s. [19] Similar characteristics are found in the rise in popularity of Kundalini in Hindu mysticism. [20] [21]

Pentecostals

Pentecostals are those Christians who identify with the beliefs and practices of classical Pentecostal denominations, such as the Assemblies of God or the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee). Classical Pentecostalism grew out of the holiness movement and developed a distinct identity at the start of the 20th century after being popularized by Charles Fox Parham and his student William J. Seymour. Seymour founded what is considered the first Pentecostal ministry in Los Angeles in 1906. [7] At a time when most denominations affirmed cessationism (the belief that spiritual gifts had ceased), Pentecostals held that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were being restored to the Christian church. [22] The distinctive doctrine of Pentecostalism is that there is a second work of grace after conversion, which Pentecostals call the baptism in the Holy Spirit, that is evidenced by speaking in tongues. [23] Speaking in tongues is considered evidence of the presence of the Spirit. There are also non-trinitarian Oneness Pentecostals, who share such beliefs on the validity of the spiritual gifts in the modern church, but who differ on varying views on the Godhead and teachings on outward holiness. [24] Pentecostalism has several core doctrines around which their beliefs are centered; these include salvation through Jesus, healing through Jesus, baptism through Jesus and the Holy Spirit and finally that Jesus is coming again. Pentecostalism is also characterized by moralism, and often forbids followers to drink alcohol or wear jewelry. [7]

Charismatic movement

While early Pentecostals were often marginalized within the larger Christian community, Pentecostal beliefs began penetrating the mainline Protestant denominations from 1960 onward and the Catholic Church from 1967. [25] This adoption of Pentecostal beliefs by those in the historic churches became known as the charismatic movement. Charismatics are defined as Christians who share with Pentecostals an emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit but who remain a part of a mainline church. Also, charismatics are more likely than Pentecostals to believe that glossolalia – speaking in tongues – is not a necessary evidence of Spirit baptism. [23] This transition occurred following an increased popularity of use of the gifts of spirit during the healing revival period of 1946–1958. Massive interdenominational meetings held by the healing revival evangelists, including William M. Branham, Oral Roberts, A.A. Allen and others, led to increased awareness and acceptance. [26]

The charismatic movement within the historic Christian churches holds that Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the "sovereign action of God, which usually occurs when someone with a disposition of surrender and docility, prays for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in his or her life." [27] [28] Adherents of the Charismatic Movement teach the belief that "baptism in the Holy Spirit unleashes the Holy Spirit that is already present within us, by revitalizing the graces we received in the sacrament of Baptism" and that it "equips and inspires the individual for service, for mission, for discipleship and for life." [27] [29] [28] Rev. Brenton Cordeiro summarizes that he sees those who received Baptism with the Holy Spirit "testify that the experience brought them to a new awareness of the reality and presence of Jesus Christ in their lives [as well as] a new hunger for the Word of God, the Sacraments and were filled with a renewed desire for holiness." [28]

Neo-charismatic movement

The fervor seen in the spread of Charismatic Christianity led to the creation of independent evangelical charismatic churches more in tune with this revival of the Holy Spirit. Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California is one of the first evangelical charismatic churches in 1965. [30] In United Kingdom, Jesus Army, founded in 1969, is an example of the impact outside the US. [14] Many other congregations were established in the rest of the world. [15]

New churches and denominations emerged alongside the Charismatic Movement of the historic Christian churches since 1970 that are termed neo-charismatic. Accepting neither the label of Pentecostal nor charismatic, they share with these groups a common emphasis on the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, miracles, and Pentecostal experiences. [7] [31] These groups are often called "The Third Wave", to separate them from the original Pentecostals (the "First Wave") and from the wider charismatic movement of the 1970s (the "Second Wave"). Neo-charismatic churches often consider themselves non-denominational or would not accept the neo-charismatic label, instead drawing from the charismatic practices of spiritual gifts or identifying with wider movements and groups such as the U.S. Strategic Prayer Network, the New Apostolic Reformation, or other large religious movements. [32]

Statistics

In 2011, there were 279 million Pentecostal Christians worldwide, making up 4 percent of the world's population and 12.8 percent of the wider Christian population. Charismatic Christians numbered 305 million, or about 4.4 percent of the world's population and 14 percent of the Christian population. Together, these groups make up 26.8 percent of the world's Christian population and over 8 percent of the world. Regionally, the highest concentration of Charismatic Christians live in the Americas, which houses 48.5 percent of the group. The next highest concentration is in the Asia-Pacific region, with another 29.6 percent of Charismatic Christians residing there. [4]

See also

Further reading

Encyclopedic

Supportive

Critical

Neutral

Literature

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speaking in tongues</span> Phenomenon in which people speak words apparently in languages unknown to them

Speaking in tongues, also known as glossolalia, is an activity or practice in which people utter words or speech-like sounds, often thought by believers to be languages unknown to the speaker. One definition used by linguists is the fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables that lack any readily comprehended meaning. In some cases, as part of religious practice, some believe it to be a divine language unknown to the speaker. Glossolalia is practiced in Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity, as well as in other religions.

Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement that emphasizes direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, an event that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Oneness Pentecostalism is a nontrinitarian religious movement within the Protestant Christian family of churches known as Pentecostalism. It derives its name from its teaching on the Godhead, a form of Modalistic Monarchianism commonly referred to as the Oneness doctrine. The doctrine states that there is one God―a singular divine spirit with no distinction of persons―who manifests himself in many ways, including as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This stands in sharp contrast to the doctrine of three distinct, eternal persons posited by Trinitarian theology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Pentecostal Holiness Church</span> Pentecostal denomination

The International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) or simply Pentecostal Holiness Church (PHC) is an international Holiness-Pentecostal Christian denomination founded in 1911 with the merger of two older denominations. Historically centered in the Southeastern United States, particularly the Carolinas and Georgia, the Pentecostal Holiness Church now has an international presence. In 2000, the church reported a worldwide membership of over one million—over three million including affiliates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies</span>

The International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies (IFCA), formerly known as the Christian Church of North America (CCNA), is a North American Pentecostal denomination with roots in the Italian-American community, but is now a multicultural denomination. Central offices are located in Transfer, Pennsylvania. Ministries of the church include Benevolence, Home Missions, FOCUS, Foreign Missions, Education, Lay Ministries, and Public Relations. A convention is held annually, and their official publication is Vista, a quarterly magazine.

The charismatic movement in Christianity is a movement within established or mainstream Christian denominations to adopt beliefs and practices of Charismatic Christianity, with an emphasis on baptism with the Holy Spirit, and the use of spiritual gifts (charismata). It has affected most denominations in the United States, and has spread widely across the world.

In Christian theology, baptism with the Holy Spirit, also called baptism in the Holy Spirit or baptism in the Holy Ghost, has been interpreted by different Christian denominations and traditions in a variety of ways due to differences in the doctrines of salvation and ecclesiology. It is frequently associated with incorporation into the Christian Church, the bestowal of spiritual gifts, and empowerment for Christian ministry. Spirit baptism has been variously defined as part of the sacraments of initiation into the church, as being synonymous with regeneration, or as being synonymous with Christian perfection. The term baptism with the Holy Spirit originates in the New Testament, and all Christian traditions accept it as a theological concept.

The Latter Rain, also known as the New Order or the New Order of the Latter Rain, was a post–World War II movement within Pentecostal Christianity which remains controversial. The movement saw itself as a continuation of the restorationism of early pentecostalism. The movement began with major revivals between 1948 and 1952 and became established as a large semi-organized movement by 1952. It continued into the 1960s. The movement had a profound impact on subsequent movements as its participants dispersed throughout the broader charismatic and pentecostal movements beginning in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slain in the Spirit</span> Form of prostration in Pentecostal Christianity

Slain in the Spirit or slaying in the Spirit are terms used by Pentecostal and charismatic Christians to describe a form of prostration in which an individual falls to the floor while experiencing religious ecstasy. Believers attribute this behavior to the power of the Holy Spirit. Other terms used to describe the experience include falling under the power, overcome by the Spirit, and resting in the Spirit. The practice is associated with faith healing because individuals are often slain while seeking prayer for illness.

Signs and wonders refers to experiences that are perceived to be miraculous as being normative in the modern Christian experience, and is a phrase associated with groups that are a part of modern charismatic movements and Pentecostalism. This phrase is seen multiple times throughout the Bible to describe the activities of the early church, and is historically recorded as continuing, at least in practice, since the time of Christ. The phrase is primarily derived from Old and New Testament references and is now used in the Christian and mainstream press and in scholarly religious discourse to communicate a strong emphasis on recognizing perceived manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the contemporary lives of Christian believers. It also communicates a focus on the expectation that divine action would be experienced in the individual and corporate life of the modern Christian church, and a further insistence that followers actively seek the "gifts of the Spirit".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic Charismatic Renewal</span> Movement within the Catholic Church that began in 1967

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a movement within the Catholic Church that is part of the wider charismatic movement across historic Christian churches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apostolic Church (1916 denomination)</span> Pentecostal Christian denomination

The Apostolic Church is an international Christian denomination and Pentecostal movement that emerged from the Welsh Revival of 1904–1905. Although the movement began in the United Kingdom, the largest national Apostolic Church became the Apostolic Church Nigeria. The term "Apostolic" refers to the role of apostles in the denomination's church government, as well as a desire to emulate 1st century Christianity in its faith, practices, and government.

The Neo-charismaticmovement is a movement within evangelical Protestant Christianity that is composed of a diverse range of independent churches and organizations that emphasize the current availability of gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and faith healing. The Neo-charismatic movement is considered to be the "third wave" of the Charismatic Christian tradition which began with Pentecostalism, and was furthered by the Charismatic movement. As a result of the growth of postdenominational and independent charismatic groups, Neo-charismatics are now believed to be more numerous than the first and second wave categories. As of 2002, some 19,000 denominations or groups, with approximately 295 million individual adherents, were identified as Neo-charismatic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assemblies of God USA</span> Pentecostal Christian denomination

The Assemblies of God USA (AG), officially The General Council of the Assemblies of God, is a Pentecostal Christian denomination in the United States founded in 1914 during a meeting of Pentecostal ministers at Hot Springs, Arkansas, who came from a variety of independent churches and networks of churches. The Assemblies of God is a Finished Work Pentecostal denomination and is the U.S. branch of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, the world's largest Pentecostal body. With a constituency of 2,928,143 in 2022, the Assemblies of God was the ninth largest Christian denomination and the second largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States.

The Finished Work is a doctrine associated with Pentecostals of the Finished Work Pentecostal tradition, that locates sanctification at the time of conversion; afterward the converted Christian progressively grows in grace. This is contrary to the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification that locates complete sanctification in a definite second work of grace which Holiness Pentecostals teach is a necessary prerequisite to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Finished Work Pentecostals are generally known to have retained the doctrine of progressive sanctification from their earlier Reformed roots, while Holiness Pentecostals retained their doctrine of entire sanctification from their earlier Wesleyan roots. The term finished work arises from the aphorism "It's a Finished Work at Calvary", referring to both salvation and sanctification. Though the term is used within Pentecostal Christianity, it is not exclusively a Pentecostal doctrine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protestantism</span> Major branch of Christianity

Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes justification by God through faith alone, the teaching that salvation comes by unmerited divine grace, the priesthood of all believers, and the Bible as the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice. The five solae summarize the basic theological beliefs of mainstream Protestantism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessationism versus continuationism</span> Christian theological dispute

Cessationism versus continuationism involves a Christian theological dispute as to whether spiritual gifts remain available to the church, or whether their operation ceased with the Apostolic Age of the church. The cessationist doctrine arose in the Reformed theology: initially in response to claims of Roman Catholic miracles. Modern discussions focus more on the use of spiritual gifts in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, though this emphasis has been taught in traditions that arose earlier, such as Methodism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swedish Pentecostal Movement</span> Protestant movement in Sweden

The Swedish Pentecostal Movement is a Pentecostal movement in Sweden. Many, but not all, of these, are members of the Pentecostal Alliance of Independent Churches, which was founded in 2001. The Pentecostal movement spread to Sweden by 1907 from the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival and the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles in 1906.

Pentecostalism in Ethiopia is the practice of various Pentecostal forms of Christianity—often included within the evangelical category of P'ent'ay—in Ethiopia, with a constituency of above 1 million members. Despite persecution by the government and the dominant Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Pentecostalism relied on youth and technology to spread its practices throughout the country. It has been found to contribute to the prosperity of people in Ethiopia. The message of Pentecostalism includes prosperity and beliefs around expectations for a better life. After gaining religious freedom in 1991, churches began preaching prosperity and growth outside the government and to discuss fighting corruption. Some Pentecostal worshipers state that the style of worship offers them tangible help for worldy problems. Worship services include the practices speaking in tongues, divine healing, exorcism, prophecy, and powerful prayer.

Evangelical theology is the teaching and doctrine that relates to spiritual matters in evangelical Christianity and a Christian theology. The main points concern the place of the Bible, the Trinity, worship, Salvation, sanctification, charity, evangelism and the end of time.

References

  1. ↑ Vondey, Wolfgang (2017). "Part 1: Full Gospel Story – Healed: Manifesting Signs and Wonders". Pentecostal Theology: Living the Full Gospel. T&T Clark Systematic Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology (1st ed.). London and New York: T&T Clark. pp. 107–130. ISBN   9780567387738.
  2. ↑ Coleman, Simon (2000). The globalisation of charismatic Christianity: spreading the gospel of prosperity. Cambridge studies in ideology and religion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-0-521-66072-3.
  3. 1 2 "Christian Movements and Denominations". Pew Research . 19 December 2011. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  4. 1 2 Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Christian Population (PDF) (Report). Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. December 19, 2011. p. 67. See also "Part II Global Statistics: A Massive Worldwide Phenomenon". The New International Dictionary.
  5. ↑ "Charism". Merriam-webster.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  6. ↑ "charisma | Origin and meaning of charisma by Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Archived from the original on 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Robbins, Joel (2004). "The Globalization of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity". Annual Review of Anthropology . 33: 117–143. doi:10.1146/annurev.anthro.32.061002.093421 – via JSTOR.
  8. ↑ Womack, Nathan (2022). "Charismatic Renewal Movement in Christianity: Second Wave Pentecostalism". Database of Religious History. doi:10.14288/1.0422131 – via University of British Columbia.
  9. ↑ Suenens, Leo Joseph (1978). Ecumenism and Charismatic Renewal: Theological and Pastoral Orientations. Servant Books. p. 21.
  10. ↑ Csordas, Thomas J. (2021). Language, Charisma, and Creativity: The Ritual Life of a Religious Movement. University of California Press. p. 272. ISBN   978-0-520-36602-2.
  11. ↑ Abraham, William J.; Kirby, James E. (2009). The Oxford Handbook of Methodist Studies. Oxford University Press. p. 289. ISBN   978-0-19-160743-1.
  12. ↑ Balmer, Randall Herbert (2004). Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism. Baylor University Press. p. 149.
  13. 1 2 "Theopedia". www.theopedia.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
  14. 1 2 Cooper, Simon; Farrant, Mike (1997). Fire in Our Hearts: The Story of the Jesus Fellowship/Jesus Army. England: Multiply Publications. p. 169.
  15. 1 2 "Understanding the Charismatic Movement". The Exchange – A Blog by Ed Stetzer. Christianity Today. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  16. ↑ Graham, Ruth (2022-03-29). "Hillsong, Once a Leader of Christian Cool, Loses Footing in America". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  17. ↑ Lindhart, Martin (2015). "Mediating Money: Materiality and Spiritual Warfare in Tanzanian Charismatic Christianity". In Coleman, Simon; Hackett, Rosalind I. J. (eds.). The Anthropology of Global Pentecostalism and Evangelicalism. NYU Press. pp. 147–160. ISBN   978-0-8147-7259-1 . Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  18. ↑ Burgess, Stanley M.; van der Mass, Eduard M., eds. (2003). "Introduction". The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements (Kindle edition) (Revised ed.). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
  19. ↑ Wolfson, Sam (2018-04-07). "The free-love cult that terrorised America – and became Netflix's latest must-watch". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  20. ↑ Pretorius, Stephanus Petrus (December 2002). The Toronto Blessing: An Expression of Christian Spirituality in the Charismatic Movement? (PDF) (Thesis). University of South Africa. Archived 2021-11-05 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ↑ Kim, Injib (2009-08-01). Christian Yoga as a Product of Hinduism and the New Age Movement (Master's thesis). Liberty University.
  22. ↑ "Introduction: Classical Pentecostals". The New International Dictionary.
  23. 1 2 "Introduction: Pentecostal-Charismatic Differences". The New International Dictionary.
  24. ↑ Patterson, Eric; Rybarczyk, Edmund (2007). The Future of Pentecostalism in the United States. New York: Lexington Books. pp. 123–4. ISBN   978-0-7391-2102-3.
  25. ↑ The New International Dictionary, "Introduction: The Charismatic Movement".
  26. ↑ Moriarty, Michael (1992). The New Charismatics. Zondervan. pp. 118–139. ISBN   978-0-310-53431-0.
  27. 1 2 Elwell, Walter A. (2001). Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Baker Academic. p. 220. ISBN   978-0-8010-2075-9. The charismatic movement has affected almost every historic church and has spread to many churches and countries beyond the United States. ... Particular emphases are reflected variously in the charismatic movement. Baptism with the Holy Spirit. There is common recognition of baptism with the Holy Spirit as a distinctive Christian experience. It is viewed as an event wherein the believer is "filled with" the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is understood to result from "the gift of the Holy Spirit," wherein the Spirit is freely "poured out," "falls upon," "comes on," "anoints," "endues" the believer with "power from on high." ... Baptism with the Holy Spirit, accordingly, is not identified with conversion. It is viewed as an experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit that brings about powerful witness to Jesus Christ. Through this Spirit baptism the exalted Christ carries forward his ministry in the church and world.
  28. 1 2 3 Cordeiro, Brenton (29 May 2017). "Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Why Every Catholic Should Consider Receiving It". Catholic Link. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  29. ↑ "Baptism in the Holy Spirit". Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  30. ↑ Sweeney, Douglas A. (2005). The American Evangelical Story: A History of the Movement. Baker Academic. pp. 150–151.
  31. ↑ The New International Dictionary, "Introduction: Neocharismatics".
  32. ↑ McCloud, Sean. American Possessions. Oxford University Press. pp. 6–7.
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