A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
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I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Charismatics Are Coming!


Brittany Smith reports that more than 1 in four Christians are charismatic or Pentecostal (there is a difference) and the movement is growing.


The portion of the post that caused me to chuckle:

Interestingly, in the United States, the Hartford director pointed out that the Pentecostal and charismatic movement is spreading among middle class Americans – a phenomenon that has puzzled many academics.

Well, this academic is not puzzled. Any Christian movement that reflects vitality and hope and a cause will attract people, charismatic or otherwise.

This Mainline (non-Pentecostal, but Charismatic) Methodist prays that the movement will spread. More Christians from any tradition is something to embrace.

2 comments:

Robert Cornwall said...

But what is meant by this? If we mean -- attends a charismatic or Pentecostal church, or is even a member, that doesn't mean that one in four sees themselves as either one. My in-laws went to a Fresno area charismatic church for years and had no clue that it was charismatic. They did wonder why people raised their hands, but apparently there was no speaking in tongues. So we might want some clarification.

That said, from my own background, I am Charismatic. I'm also a left of center Disciple of Christ pastor.

Allan R. Bevere said...

Bob,

My take is that the evangelical charismatic movement is what's in view.