Spiritual Drunkenness
18 August 2008 – 1:36 amEDITORIAL COMMENT: As I read this article by Bill Randles the similarity is remarkable between this phenomena and the Gestalt therapist Fritz Perls’ motto “Lose your mind and come to your senses” , which was absorbed as a mantra by the hippie movement of the 1960s-1970s. It highlights our concern at what is being unleashed in parts of the Church in the guise of “a move of the Spirit” yet disregards that we are called to be always loving God with ALL of our mind and soul, as well as our heart (Matthew 22:37-40). Read and pray!
8 Responses to “Spiritual Drunkenness”
The /blog/www.christian-witness.org/pdf/thesickenssuntodeath1.pdf is not available.
HTTP code is: 404
By Anonymous on Aug 23, 2008
The URL text in the post has the wrong link to it. Go to www.christian-witness.org/pdf/thesickenssuntodeath1.pdf
By William Dicks on Aug 26, 2008
Thanks William. The link works now
By Editor on Sep 7, 2008
Excellent article. I admit I was one of those who fell into a trance when the Toronto Blessing came into our church. It’s amazing that I can also trace a decline in my walk with God in obedience around that time as well. Now, God has showed me my disobedience and my lust for spiritual power, and has turned my heart to repentance and walking with him. Now, I am attending a conservative, gospel-preaching church and God is healing my heart from all that crazy charis-maniac junk! Keep it up CWM
By Mark on Sep 8, 2008
The modern charismatic movement appears to boast ‘good feelings’ with manifestations. These manifestations sometimes appeared in the pentecostal movement but, in southern Africa [where I was born], under the leadership of James Mullen, among others, it was regarded, and taught that these were manifestations of the flesh rather than the Spirit. The manifestations of the Spirit, listed in 1 Corinthians 12 [the nine gifts] were encouraged rather than these others we hear about today. Personally, I think the church would benefit greatly from going back to the guidance of Scripture rather than this ‘anything goes’ approach.
By Kerry Stevenson on Oct 27, 2008
A FRIENDLY REMINDER FROM C.W.M. BLOG MODERATOR
This is a friendly reminder to all contributors that postings/comments should be brief, to the point, and related to the blog’s topic. Please note the following:
.
(1) Comments should not take more than about 40 lines of text - which is equivalent to about 55 lines in the “Post a comment” area at the foot of the blog’s page.
.
(2) Contributors are encouraged to express differing opinions, however personal attacks on others will not be tolerated.
.
(3) Pleas or requests for money, by contributors, will be deleted from the blogs. We cannot guarantee the bona fide status or truthfulness of any such statement by a contributor - therefore potential donors should conduct their own separate enquiries as to the validity of any request or organisation.
These blogs are not a fund-raising forum.
.
In view of these guidelines we advise that offending sections, or even the whole entry, will be deleted from the blog. We are sure that people of goodwill recognise these as measures of commonsense, and not as censorship of thought.
By Moderator 2 on Mar 3, 2009
Kerry, are you a follower of James Mullen or a follower of Jesus? The unusual and unprecedented stuff that happened in His meetings - and those of His disciples after He ascended - also offended the religious people at that time.
By Bob on Nov 27, 2009
I am reading a history of revivalism in the USA during the late 1700s through to the mid 1800s. It is interesting that during the revivals of those times, the same manifestations were recorded as we see in the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches (falling down, jerking bodies, hysterical laughter, shouting; even barking!)
It is significant that these manifestations occurred in the frontier regions where people were unsophisticated, the preachers were loud and passionate, and there were not many established churches (especially in Kentucky).
In the state of New York, where there was a strong Presbyterian and Methodist base, the preachers were more restrained, and the sensory manifestations were suppressed.
There is an interesting story about the Methodists in one region who were at odds with the Presbyterians because the Methodists were being “slain in the Spirit”, and the Presbys disapproved of them to the point where they would not fellowship together. The preacher arranged a meeting of both groups, and during the service the people who were slain in the Spirit were all Presbyterians and no Methodists! This brought about a reconciliation between the two groups.
I think though that we have to view manifestations in the context in which they occurred. These manifestations happened among tough sinners, drunkards, violent people and adulterers when they become convicted of their sin and came to Christ. It seemed that the Spirit worked in more dramatic ways to get them saved, cleaned up, and made good church members.
But when people are already saved, then the principle of walking by faith and not by sight should apply, so converted people looking for sensory manifestations would probably end up with froth and bubble, which would be a distraction to true faith.
What are your views?
By Paul Christensen on Mar 24, 2011