Category Archives: Charismatic Movement

The miraculous element in revival (I)

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One aspect of revival which merits careful study is the miraculous element.  Now it is perfectly correct to say that any true revival is of supernatural origin, just as is regeneration of an individual soul.  But this part of our subject still needs consideration from a more limited point of view.  The question still to be answered is, To what extent, if any, do miracles occur in revivals?

This is a question on which evangelical theology has not yet articulated a clear, unambiguous answer. …

Physical and emotional phenomena of revival

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One feature which is often notable in revival, is the presence  of a variety of unusual phenomena, ranging from physical prostrations to (real or apparent) prophesyings, visions, and miraculous healings.

Now some scholars have been content merely to note the occurrence of these phenomena without making any serious attempt at biblical or theological explanation.  Ronald Knox, for example, at the end of a long book which catalogues many extraordinary features associated with revivals and ‘fringe’ movements, clumps them all together, and says:-

How to explain these phenomena – Camisard child-prophecy, or Jansenist convulsions, or Methodist swoonings, or Irvingite glossolaly – is a question that need not detain us.…

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

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The term ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’ is used by Pentecostalists and some charismatics to refer to a ‘second blessing’ of the Christian subsequent to the experience of conversion.  It is seen as a full reception of, or release by, the Holy Spirit, issuing in the exercise of any of a number of ‘spiritual gifts’ including, for many, the gift of tongues.

This understanding is attended by a number of problems.

1.  The expression ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’ (or something similar) occurs some seven times in the New Testament. …

Two Cheers for the Charismatic Movement

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For some people, the charismatic way is the best way, the biblical way, God’s way for us today.  They want all Christians to be charismatic Christians; they want all churches to be charismatic churches.  This is the stance of John Leach, for example, in his delightful book entitled, The Spirit Comes (as part of the package), (Marshall Pickering, 2001).  Some might think that such people have gone too far.  Actually, I don’t think they go far enough, and here’s why.…