Charismatic Christianity

"Charismatic Christianity is an overarching grouping of connected beliefs and practices, and is not itself strictly defined within specific practices. Denominations within the grouping share a spirituality characterized by a worldview where miracles, signs and wonders, and other supernatural occurrences are expected to be present in the lives of believers. This includes the presence of spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, and healing. While similar in many respects, some sub-groups do differ in important ways. Theses differences have led to Charismatic Christianity being categorized into three main groups: Pentecostalism, the Charismatic Movement, and Neo-charismatic Movement. The Charismatic movement has sometimes been related to the New Age revival in the United States from the 1960s and 1970s. Similar characteristics are found in the rise in popularity of Kundalini in Hindu mysticism” (Source: Wikipedia).

Within the modern charismatic movement are many beliefs and practices that stand in contrast with the clear teaching of Scripture. This movement is often characterized by what is called 'word of faith' or 'faith confessions' where one speaks a word of faith that is said to bring about supernatural miracles, healings, and even prosperity. 'The baptism of the spirit,' which is said to be manifested by praying in tongues is considered to be an annointing of the spirit or a special spirituality in ones life. However the practice of these spiritual experiences as seen in many charismatic circles, fail to pattern the example of the gifts and the instruction for them as seen in the New Testament. Other acclaimed gifts or spiritual experiences in these movements include things with no Biblical bases such as slain in the spirit, laughing in the spirit, and even being drunk in the spirit; as well as fire tunnels and grave soaking in some of these circles.

These spiritual experiences are promoting another gospel instead of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The Word of God has been left out as the bases for all truth with a form of spirituality without the true Holy Spirit of the Scriptures. In the book of 1 John we are told to not believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. The following resources compare the doctines and practices of charismatic churches against the teaching of Scripture, revealing some of the false teachings and dangerous, unbiblical practices that are found within the charismatic movement.

An Appeal to Charismatic Pretenders by John MacArthur

Why I Left My Charismatic Church @ AllengParr

Progressive Christianity

Progressive Christianity is a modern movement that ignores the historical bases for Christianity and seeks a progressing Christian ideaology that conforms with the modern era, putting emphisis on social justice, tolerance, human diversity, and 'loving one another.' Rather than holding to foundational, fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith as set forth in the Bible, Progressive Christianity is continually transforming its ideas and perception of truth. Progressive Christianity has given rise to what has become known as the deconstruction of Christianity, which is essententially the questioning of core Biblical Christian beliefs and teachings, including the denying of the need for repentance and the need of a Savior to save us from our sin.

Deconstructionism continually presents questions challenging Biblical truths, seeking to re-interpret the Bible and re-define the core teaching of the faith. Many people without a clear understanding of the Scriptures are often confused and are being deceived about what is true. What people do not realize is that when we deny the Scriptures, what we are actually doing is making our own god of our own imagination or what we desire instead of what is true. By rejecting the authority of Scripture, we are actually rejecting the true Messiah, Jesus Christ and turning to another gospel. "They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us" 1 John 2:19 _BSB).

Another Gospel? _{Scripture PDF}

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ Alone _{Scripture PDF}

The Decontruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett

Ecumentical Movement

Today there is a push toward ecumentical unity among various denominations and even varying religions. These Ecumentical Movements are being promoted in the name of religious peace and brotherly love. From the surface these kinds of movements can give the apperance of being good things, as even in the Bible we are told, to be patient and show tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:2-3). The unity that the Lord Jesus desires among His people, however, can only be in being separated from the world and in being united to Him. It is a unity that stands firmly upon Christ and His word, being unified in faith; a faith that is based upon the truth revealed in Christ's word. This is not the kind of unity we are seeing take place around the world, as it is being done in a disregard for the truth of Scripture. Instead it is a unity that is man centered rather than being God centered.

This Ecumentical Movement, which also promotes social justice, tolerance, human diversity, and just "loving one another", is uniting Progressive Christianity, Charasmastic Christianity, as well as many other Protestant denominations with the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) that actually began in 1967 and the Eucharistic Movement seem to be just a few more ties that are uniting all of these religions together.

William Booth, who lived 1829-1912 and founded the Salvation Army once said. "The chief danger that confronts the coming century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell." We need to be careful that we do not replace the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word of God with a form of goodness or spirituality. Jesus Christ was the only One who ever lived on this earth who was good. We, those of us living here on this earth now and those who have gone before us, are mere sinful creatures in need of a Savior - the Savior, Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price to save whosoever will come and put their faith in what He did for us on the cross according to His Way and His Word - the Holy Bible.

Eyewitnesses of His Majaesty _{Scripture PDF}

The Ecumenical Movement

What Does the Scripture Say?

Some might ask, “Does it really matter what the Scriptures say?” While others stand firmly on the Scriptures. Why this difference in opinions? The difference is found in what one believes to be authoritive and the source of truth.

If we are to come to truly know Christ and be born again, it can only be through the revealing of His Word. "And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15 _NASB95). And Jesus said, "Whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life" (John 5:24a). Those who have been born again know the Scriptures to be the source of truth through which they have come to know the salvation of Jesus. Their faith rest on the promises of God given to them in the Scriptures. "Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23 _BSB).

The Bible is the Word of God and the source of truth. "All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16 _BSB). It is the Scriptures that should be forming our beliefs and guiding our actions. We should not be reading the Word of God subjectively, trying to adapt the Bible to our feelings and beliefs, but we need to be reading the the Word of God objectively, asking God to reveal what is true to us through His Word and to be conforming our lives to the reality that is revealed in Scripture.

"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 29:12-14a _BSB).

What Does the Scripture Say about False Prophets?

What Does the Scripture Say about Testing the spirits?

What Does the Scripture Say about Our Need for a Savior?