Intellectual Faith preceding Emotional Faith: Need of Present Generation

I am not against Pentecostal & Charismatic teaching but this video seems to be a great beginning point to rethink where we lost our journey of an intellectual faith. I too sometime enroll in Charismatic experience but I also give space in intellectual thinking of my faith.

Rapture, hyper grace, Pentecostal theology and Charismatic theology might have good intentions but in the hands of an emotional being, these theological stands have brought a chaotic environment today. Falling, shivering, jerking, shouting, jumping, rolling, etc. have replaced our Christian identity and character. Now, I don't mean to say these are ‘blasphemy against God’ and must be stopped. I too have experienced these often. But it matters what kind of life we are living and how much fruits of spirit we are bearing to build our Christian character. Just a few hours of Charismatic camp revivals cannot transform us. I don't mean to say we should be against these but we should be a conscious believer. There are faults even in theological, intellectual and apologetic side not just hyper spiritual. Its high time for us to reflect ourselves!

As Gary Kinnaman notes, we might not have enough explanation for Charismatic activities.[1] Shouting, jerking, falling, etc. have been a common trending during revival prayer in Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations.

First and foremost, bottom line is that, one should never establish any doctrines based on their experience. One should not make steadfast doctrines and mandate it in a local church service. Wales and Pyongyang revivals saw the manifestations of the Holy Spirit such as unusual healing, speaking in tongues, deliverance and shaking and falling which occurred all over US, South Africa and India. But they never made any doctrines based on these experiences.[2]

Second, humans are emotional beings. We differ in our personal nature of being introvert, extrovert, sensitive or insensitive. We always have burden that we don’t manifest. We always have wounds, scars, struggle, hopelessness and pain. When one comes to presence and intimacy of God, then there is struggle within us. Perhaps, this might be leading agent to jerking, falling, crying and so on. I know myself shivering when I was praying with deep frustration at church in one special service. But our focus should never be on these manifestations. Our focus is how we are taking steps in our life, our personal intimacy with God, our Christian character and discipline. Not everyone experiences these manifestations and nor they are any signs of spirituality. Church should never expect these manifestations every time. The bottom line is, whatever manifestations may it be and whatever the source be, if we don’t manifest Christian character, discipline, and fruits then these all are merely vain!

Third, church should encourage more teaching sessions. To give a salient example, Pentecostal churches focus on exercise of the Glossolalia. Again, I am not against it. The problem is, there seems lack of teaching regarding its purpose, its use, and its goal. Some Charismatic denominations have even more hyper teaching on this gift. It is necessary for the church to provide an interacting environment so that believers can learn intellectually along with practically. Paul did that in 1 Corinthians 14. We have focus more on exercising and less on teaching. It doesn’t mean our denomination neglects theological teaching but the focus seems inadequate. One should also know what he is exercising and why.

Finally, intellectual Gospel is only a rigid catalyst to sustain our life. Emotional Gospel can sometimes hinder us in relationship with God, ourselves and our fellow believers but intellectual Gospel gives a solid premise to understand God, ourselves and our neighborhoods. The manifestations of the spirit might be genuine but the fruits are even more vital. The churches at present time must understand this and take conscious step to teach current generation. I am thankful towards Dr. Bhoj Raj pastor who brought this important video! Ultimately, as a believer from a Pentecostal AG church, it’s my sincere responsibility to learn, teach and guide others on these controversial issues.

Thanks!

[1] Gary D. Kinnaman, AND SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW (Translated and published in Nepali language by Good News publisher, 2017), 9.

[2] Elmer L. Towns and Douglas Porter, The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever: From Pentecost to the Present (Ann Arbor, Mich: Vine Books, 2000).