Author Topic: Pentecostals and the Charismatic Movement (Read 1035 times)

CathMomof7 · « **on:** September 15, 2010, 11:24:54 AM »

It was suggested from another thread that we talk about this. Since I shared that I spent some time in the Pentecostal church and the Charismatic movement, I thought I should begin this with my own experiences and understanding.

In my early 20s, I spent 3 years in the Pentecostal church. I came to the church by way of a really lovely and sweet co-worker. I was a really troubled young person, very much a product of the culture of the 80s. She was sweet and kind, always listened to contemporary Christian music, and was very motherly. I lived alone and she sort of took the place of a mother I very much needed. She prayed over me often and invited me to her church. She was a member of a Holiness church so I went. I had never been to such before and had no experience at all with it. My father had been a Methodist and I went for a short period of time with him. My mother was nothing.

Honestly, my first visit was really scary. The church was full though and they had a nice band. They played contemporary music which I appreciated at the time. They had tons of groups for young people my age and I got involved with that. But services were interesting and, at first, its really hard to pick up on the theology of it all. I was involved for 3 years, so by the time I left I had a pretty good idea of what was going on.

So, to be brief. Pentecostals, a branch of the Charismatic movement, believe that once you are "saved", God sends the gifts of the Holy Ghost upon you. This is the mark that you are indeed "saved". Most specifically, the gift of tongues is generally received by everyone, but not always. Some people receive the gift of interpreting tongues, prophecy, or healing. Every service involves some form of these things. They are highly emotional and everyone is expected to be "slain with the Holy Ghost."

After singing and preaching, the highlight is the placing hands on and praying over the congregation. People "fall out" in the floor and "dance" in the Holy Ghost. This happens every time. In 3 years, it NEVER happened to me. The atmosphere in these services is very hypnotic and exciting. But by nature, I am a skeptic, so I was never overcome with it. This put a mark on me. Everyone KNEW that I was not saved because I had not received the Holy Ghost.

I leave that for you to reflect on for a moment.

My son needs to take a test....... :applause:

Elizabeth · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2010, 11:34:12 AM »

Thanks, Mom.

We had a bunch of neighbors who were Saved, and we were the Whore of Babylon.

At that time we had a large library, adjacent to the fornt door, filled with blessed items. Seriously, it was like an invisible electric dog fence.

But very warm hearted and kindly-may our prayers convert these poor ignorant souls.

Cheryl · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2010, 08:51:56 PM »

Quote from: CathMomof7

People "fall out" in the floor and "dance" in the Holy Ghost.

Kind of reminds me of a docuмentary I saw about the practice of Voodoo, minus the chickens. :shocked:

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2010, 01:46:25 PM »

Quote from: Cheryl

Quote from: CathMomof7

People "fall out" in the floor and "dance" in the Holy Ghost.

Kind of reminds me of a docuмentary I saw about the practice of Voodoo, minus the chickens. :shocked:

Yes, I know. When you are looking from the outside in, it looks exactly like that. People are really overcome with emotion. It's quite hypnotic. It's very similar to what happens in riots. One person can get a whole crowd riled up just from the emotion of it all.

However, when you are on the inside, it's very serious. You really DO believe that the Holy Ghost has come upon you and "moving" you. It's very hard to explain.

Cheryl · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2010, 05:35:58 PM »

Quote from: CathMomof7

Quote from: Cheryl
Quote from: CathMomof7

People "fall out" in the floor and "dance" in the Holy Ghost.

Kind of reminds me of a docuмentary I saw about the practice of Voodoo, minus the chickens. :shocked:

Yes, I know. When you are looking from the outside in, it looks exactly like that. People are really overcome with emotion. It's quite hypnotic. It's very similar to what happens in riots. One person can get a whole crowd riled up just from the emotion of it all.
However, when you are on the inside, it's very serious. You really DO believe that the Holy Ghost has come upon you and "moving" you. It's very hard to explain.

I understand, I've attended a few "drumming circles" in my time. The beat makes some people fall into an hypnotic type trance as they move to the beat of the drum. I stopped going to them after being asked to leave because I wouldn't stop doing my Ricky Ricardo impersonation. You know, ba-ba-loo-eye-ay. It's been said, you just can't take me anywhere. :roll-laugh1: I guess I just wasn't "into it".

JoanScholastica · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2010, 05:56:18 PM »

Quote from: CathMomof7

It was suggested from another thread that we talk about this. Since I shared that I spent some time in the Pentecostal church and the Charismatic movement, I thought I should begin this with my own experiences and understanding.

In my early 20s, I spent 3 years in the Pentecostal church. I came to the church by way of a really lovely and sweet co-worker. I was a really troubled young person, very much a product of the culture of the 80s. She was sweet and kind, always listened to contemporary Christian music, and was very motherly. I lived alone and she sort of took the place of a mother I very much needed. She prayed over me often and invited me to her church. She was a member of a Holiness church so I went. I had never been to such before and had no experience at all with it. My father had been a Methodist and I went for a short period of time with him. My mother was nothing.

Honestly, my first visit was really scary. The church was full though and they had a nice band. They played contemporary music which I appreciated at the time. They had tons of groups for young people my age and I got involved with that. But services were interesting and, at first, its really hard to pick up on the theology of it all. I was involved for 3 years, so by the time I left I had a pretty good idea of what was going on.

So, to be brief. Pentecostals, a branch of the Charismatic movement, believe that once you are "saved", God sends the gifts of the Holy Ghost upon you. This is the mark that you are indeed "saved". Most specifically, the gift of tongues is generally received by everyone, but not always. Some people receive the gift of interpreting tongues, prophecy, or healing. Every service involves some form of these things. They are highly emotional and everyone is expected to be "slain with the Holy Ghost."

After singing and preaching, the highlight is the placing hands on and praying over the congregation. People "fall out" in the floor and "dance" in the Holy Ghost. This happens every time. In 3 years, it NEVER happened to me. The atmosphere in these services is very hypnotic and exciting. But by nature, I am a skeptic, so I was never overcome with it. This put a mark on me. Everyone KNEW that I was not saved because I had not received the Holy Ghost.

I leave that for you to reflect on for a moment.

My son needs to take a test....... :applause:

Your story reminds me of the NO Mass...

Sigismund · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2010, 10:25:34 PM »

I was a part of a charismatic prayer group when I was in college. There were some good things about it. I began to develop a serious devotion to the rosary through that group. Generally, it was pretty crazy , though, and did not conform to Catholic doctrine or practice on many points. When the leaders began to demand what seemed to me to be a cult-like level of obedience, I stopped going.

DoubtingThomas · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2010, 08:38:39 AM »

Hi Pals,

I have been reading for a long time, but I have been kind of "shy", so I have not written much here. I hope I am writing this comment on the correct thread.

I think we have two issues at hand.

A) What do we believe, that is Theology.
B) How do we exercise our Belief in Real Life.

Protestants have a different Theology, that is, a Wrong One.
Based on their Errors, they developed "Practices", or Ways to experience their Beliefs.
Because their Beliefs are Wrong, their Spirituality carries also a lot of Errors in the Practice.

I said Protestants, but You know, there are thousands of different names for them. Modern Names are Pentecostals, or Charismatics. This particular variety focuses its "Theology" around their own idea about what is the "Holy Spirit".

Since they are known to get Theology in the Wrong Ways, it does not come as a surprise that they get the Wrong Idea about the Holy Spirit too.

Finally, since the Theological Grounds for their Practices, in relation to the Holy Spirit are Wrong, all their Practices are full of Errors too, especially those they believe involve the Holy Spirit.

Until here, I was talking about Protestants.

Now, about the so-called: Catholic Charismatic Renewal...

I think we have two issues at hand.

A) What do we believe, that is Theology.
B) How do we exercise our Belief in Real Life.

We have a problem here because Catholics from this Movement are using the Option A) from the Catholic Church, but unfortunately they are picking the Option B) from the Pentecostals.

I have read a thousand times that this Movement is expected to bring Protestants into Catholicism, but I find that statement beyond naive because in the Real Life it does the very opposite.

Cheers,

DT.

Belloc · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2010, 09:55:32 AM »

what do you mean by Belief in Real Life??

DoubtingThomas · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2010, 11:47:03 AM »

Quote from: Belloc

what do you mean by Belief in Real Life??

I mean the practice of something.

Holy Communion could be a Catholic Example

Speaking in non-sense among Pentecostals could be a Protestant Example

I am not Native in English, sorry.

DT.