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Charismatic Renewal Movement (CRM) in the 1960s

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Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

The reliance on special signs from God is the mark of an immature person; an individual that cannot simply believe the truth as presented, but must have a special, miraculous sign as the symbol of authority from God. – Dr. Bruce Walthe, Finding the Will of God, p. 32

The above comment illustrates one of the problems that exists in Christendom. We validate our mystical pursuit of God, claiming that since God is supernatural, we should expect God to “prove” Himself with signs and wonders. This is in spite of the fact that Jesus Himself condemned a generation that sought signs (Matthew 16:4). Of course, those involved in movements that stress signs and wonders deny that they are seeking signs to believe in God as Jesus’ contemporaries did. They would argue that they are simply seeking God, not signs. Because He is supernatural, His Presence (manifestation), should be seen in signs and wonders as normative.

We’ve highlighted the New Order of Latter Rain and the Voice of Healing Movement previously. These were representative of decades of the 1940’s and 1950’s and both movements included many signs and wonders. But did or do all the signs and wonders in the world bring people into a closer walk with God? Are people walking more in obedience to His commands, to live for Him daily?

Signs/wonders are certainly more exciting, aren’t they? They appear to be supernatural therefore they must be of God, it is argued. When all is said and done and the smoke clears, what is left? What has really changed in people? Many of the people who are leaders in these movements seem very carnal. Often, scandals swirl around them but they always seem to point to the number of people swayed by their antics as proof of their validity.

Heretic apostle Todd Bentley states on his Fresh Fire website, “We have seen over a million people in 65 nations make a decision for Christ in our crusades, having heard the Gospel preached, and seeing and experiencing the Word heal, save, set free, and deliver in signs, wonders, and miracles.” 

The problem with this is that when Bentley’s revival services are viewed, a clear presentation of the Gospel is absent. What is prevalent are signs and wonders that are simply accepted as being from God. The rationale is that the signs and wonders are a manifestation of God moving among the crowd. It is then assumed that as people in the crowd are “slain in the spirit,” speak in tongues, scream in agony, shake like an exercise machine, or something else, God has “overshadowed” them. This then is taken to mean that they have “made a decision for Christ.”

Is this the report of Scripture? In Acts 2, the very day the Church was born, Peter preached a very clear message about the sacrifice of Jesus and what it means for everyone who will come to Him in faith believing that what He accomplished on Calvary’s cross brings salvation to the penitent person. In Romans 10:10-11, Paul clearly and succinctly presents the Gospel message. In fact, throughout the New Testament, we see this message repeated over and over.

We do not hear this message presented at these gatherings overseen by heretics like Todd Bentley, Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner, Heidi Baker, and many others. It is at its core, a gathering of people who seek signs as evidence of the manifestation and work of God. God is expected to perform for them, to prove that He is and that He is there. I cannot help but wonder how many of these individuals upon their death will learn that they never knew Jesus at all (Matthew 7:21-23). It is hoped that some at least actually know Jesus, but have seriously gotten off path. The alternative causes one to shudder.

The Christian life is fairly mundane, in that the Christian, in order to get to know God must first commit him/herself to wanting to know Him in a living, vibrant relationship. This occurs at salvation and thereafter as an ongoing commitment, much like a marriage vow. It is to be taken seriously and lived out daily.

Two married people are not supposed to avoid adultery one day, but give into it the next. The marriage vow is to be taken seriously with each partner recognizing the reality of that covenant on a daily basis. It should prompt them to not ever tempt themselves by allowing situations to occur where their marriage vow can be compromised. The two people should grow in love and commitment to one another with each passing day. Often marriage can seem mundane. Without a concrete commitment to one another, it is easy for two people to grow apart.

It is the same in our relationship with God. Christians are to take very seriously our commitment to Him. We are to live in a way that we fulfill the “law of Christ” that Paul often refers to throughout his writings and it is summed up in Christ’s words to love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul and to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). What aids us there? Is it signs and wonders or is it the indwelling Holy Spirit who empowers us, convicts of sin, and helps us move onto maturity in Christ?

Is living the Christian life something that we grow into as we mature in Christ or is it something that happens instantaneously through the presence of signs and wonders? Good marriages do not happen instantly nor do they happen overnight. Great effort goes into making them solid and growing. So it is with our relationship with God in Christ. It takes time, dedication, commitment, and effort (not to save us, but to grow in Christ after we have gained salvation).

It should be noted by the way that though these movements might have their origins in a specific decade of the 1900’s, they tend to hang around for quite some time. The Charismatic Movement (or Renewal as many term it), began in earnest in the 1960’s, but I did not become involved in it until the 1970’s and it was still going strong then, though changing somewhat.

The Charismatic Movement is still around today while the emphasis is on specific signs and wonders and the name has changed. These movements are all interconnected with new incarnations. This gives the impression that God is truly doing something “new,” when in point of fact, there is really nothing new at all. It’s simply pointed out as new by leaders of that movement because of a different emphasis.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective


Source: https://studygrowknowblog.com/2017/11/28/charismatic-renewal-movement-crm-in-the-1960s/


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