The charismatic movement is a cross-denominational belief that the Holy Spirit continues to equip Christians with miraculous gifts for the purpose of ministry. Whilst most Christians believe in the motivational gifts or ministry gifts, the miraculous gifts are uniquely prioritised in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements:
Prophecy - through visions, dreams, or images
Speaking in Tongues - primarily in angelic tongues
Healing - primarily through prayer and faith
Charismatics differ from pentecostals in that Pentecostalism is a denomination of Christianity with distinct doctrines, whereas the charismatic movement is cross-denomination and the theology is shared by:
Evangelicals
Baptists
Lutherans
Episcopalians
Roman Catholics
Jehovah's Witnesses
Pentecostals
Propserity Gospel
Non-Denominational
History of the Charismatic Movement
The charismatic movement began in 1906 along with the Pentecostal movement. It was brought into popularity by Charles Parham and William J Seymour through their renewal theology and is named after the Greek word "charismata" which refers to spiritual gifts.
In the 1960's and 70's the movement saw considerable growth in the United States during the ministry of Billy Graham (1947 -2005) and to a lesser extent in the United Kingdom during the ministry of Martyn Lloyd Jones (1939 - 1968) and others. Some believe that the successful growth of the movement instead coincides with a wider openness to spirituality through hippy movements and popularity of psychadelic drugs and bands such as The Beatles.
Despite being the fastest growing denomination in the world, many still hold questons over whether the movement is biblical. There are several core arguments leveraged against the movement that consider it to be counterfeit. One major criticism was the Strange Fire conference held by John MacArthur along with his similarly titled book: Strange Fire.
Who are the leaders of the movement?
The modern charismatic leaders and proponents of the theology include:
Jack Deere
Wayne Grudem
David Hernandez
John Piper
Benny Hinn
Kenneth Copeland
Paula White
T.D. Jakes
While several of these preachers and authors are considered controversial within Christianity, even by a majority, they all share and advocate the charismatic theology that the spiritual gifts continue today.
Is the charismatic movement biblical?
The question of whether charismatic theology is biblical or not is controversial. For the most part the doctrine is based on several key passages in the Bible so it is is rightfully considered biblical by some. However, a better question is whether or not the charismatic movement is accurate in their interpretation?
That answer would appear to be no. While the debate of continuationism vs cessationism is heated, the intention of Paul's letter for the Corinthians and Romans was for unity within the church. The primary focus of Paul was to draw the Corinthians towards love, but with spiritual gifts secondary.
Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:1 NASB
His letter to the Romans he uses the same metaphor and encourages them in the following verses to let their love be genuine.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:3-5 ESV
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Romans 12:9 ESV
Whether or not the miraculous gifts continue is a secondary question to whether or not they should be prioritised. According to the apostle Paul, the most important transformation is love for one another. The emphasis by the charismatic movement brings spiritual gifts to the foreground rather than the background.
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