American Christians Becoming More Charismatic
"A decade ago, three out of ten adults claimed to be charismatic or Pentecostal Christians. Today, 36% of Americans accept that designation. That corresponds to approximately 80 million adults."These surprising numbers -- surprising to some -- are a few of the litany of recent statistics by George Barna on the growth and influence of pentecostal-charismaticism in U.S. churches. I've known of this trend for years, as have most of those who've watched the expansion of the movement. And, I'm not at all surprised. I expect the growth to continue--especially in the third world.
"Nearly half of all adults who attend a Protestant church (46%) are charismatic."
"One out of every four Protestant churches in the United States (23%) is a charismatic congregation."
In my opinion, not since the Reformation have we witnessed such a massive religious and social phenomenon. From the Bible school of Topeka, Kansas in 1900 to now untold millions throughout the world, the pentecostal-charismatic movement is one of the most significant Christians movements in the history of the church. That's probably hard for the average Reformed Christian to swallow, but I would ask you to list something comparable? If you do cite one, you're likely referencing any one of the top five movements in the last 2000+ years. All to say, penetecostal-charismaticism is more than significant, and it's far from over. It could easily continue another 100 years, if not more.
In my estimation, the pentecostal-charismatic community will be the largest Christian body in the world during my lifetime--exceeding both Catholics and Baptists. If you really despise these "holy-rollers," you're not going to enjoy the next century of church history.
I can tell you honestly that any attempts at undoing their pneumatology, or contradicting their view of spiritual gifts (I Cor. 12-14), is almost pointless, unless of course you feel genuinely compelled to do so. And it's not the Kenneth Copelands, Rod Parsleys, or Joel Osteens that I'm referring to. Pentecostal scholarship is quite formidable in its own right, and I assure you that a great deal has been written in response to what you might think is an "air tight" argument against charismata.
What am I saying, then? I believe the genuine issue with the movement is what it's missing, not so much what it has. Remember, pentecostal-charismatics have a very high view of the Scriptures, as much as they do the Spirit. Your best bet is to stress the importance of theology and to share with them the doctrines of grace, an optimistic eschatology, Biblical law, etc. Then, you let the leaven work its way through the lump. You'll be surprised at how quickly some of their "revelations" go dormant.
In all honesty, I still find the strict cessationist position to be relatively weak. However, I do not endorse the unrestrained manifestations labeled as "spiritual gifts" by the pentecostal-charismatic churches. I have spoken with a great many Reformed men whose personal experiences in ministry are very reminiscent of what a good many Charismatics have experienced. In fact, there's a chapter in Rushdoony's Roots of Reconstruction in which he describes a vivid dream he once had that was later confirmed to him the following day through a newspaper story. The chapter reads much like a typical Charismatic testimony.
All to say, I believe the Holy Spirit is much more involved than we like to give credit, and many are reluctant to admit as much because so many fear that they'll be labeled a "charismatic." I've long ago shunned such fears. I don't despise my charismatic roots, because they provide me an extensive community that I can reach with the precious truths I've gleaned from the Reformed and reconstructionist traditions. What the Barna statistics reveal is that this movement is not dissipating, and what it needs most now is what we have to share with them. If they embrace it, as I have, we could possibly witness the greatest revival in Western civilization. In my opinion--and it was Rushdoony's opinion also--a Reformed-Theocentric-Charismatic holds one of the greatest potentialities for the future of Western Christianity:
Without agreeing with tongues, we can say that among God-centered charismatics, there are important movements astir. No doctrine of Scripture is more neglected than that of the Holy Spirit. Our emphasis, however, must be God-centered, not man-centered. All humanism is occultistic. The development of faith and life among theocentric charismatics is one of the most promising aspects of 20th century Christianity. Its potentialities are very great. ~ R. J. Rushdoony, Institutes of Biblical Law, Vol. II, 160.Whatever bothers you most is a good indication of what God may have designed you to resolve. Nobody labors to end world hunger that doesn't have such foremost on his heart. For me, it is the lack of theology and a Biblical worldview within charismatic circles that infuriates me most. They are also the demographic for whom I have the most compassion. I still spend a great deal of time with charismatic clergy and laity, because of my years in the movement, and they are always prone to listen to one of their own more so than an outsider. But, if treated with respect, they'll listen to anyone who truly teaches them the Bible. Rushdoony, North, Chilton, and DeMar were remarkably influential within charismatic circles and are personally credited with transforming my belief system back in the 1980s. Had they referred to us as "idiots," "kooks," or "heretics," people like me would have shut them out.
So, as the movement grows, so also does a marvelous door of opportunity to help steer that massive population into the greatness of the Reformed tradition and the transforming power of Christian Reconstruction. It was successfully accomplished in the 1980s, and it can be more so today. Why? Because the initial shock of "dominion theology" and "kingdom now" is past, and most Christians use such terms regularly. In addition, the idea of having a "Biblical worldview" is now standard fodder within the mainstream of charismatic Christianity. The job should be easier, but now we lack the Rushdoonys, Norths, Chiltons, and DeMars to reach them.
In conclusion, the pentecostal-charismatics represent an incalculable amount of personnel, energy, and resources fully prepared to invade every sphere of life. If you can get past the issue of cessationism, and present them with the sound doctrine of the Reformed tradition, you might see the kind of cultural transformation you've been praying for. Rushdoony did not subscribe to the present operation of tongues, but he was gracious with his time in hosting a number of charismatic leaders during the last 20+ years of his life. For that reason, hundreds, if not thousands, of charismatics held him in great respect.
Go thou and do likewise.
