Printer Friendly Version

Particulars of Christianity:
310 Pentecostalism,
the Charismatic
and Faith Movements


Our Background and Objectivity

Our Background and Objectivity
Comparing Modern Tongues to Biblical Tongues
Basic Introduction to the Charismatic Movement
Opening Remarks and Introduction to the Gifts
Survey 1 - Continuity of the Gifts in the First Few Centuries
Survey 2 - Decline of Orthodox Gifts and Rise of Counterfeit Gifts
Survey 3 - A Change in Tune Regarding the Gifts
Survey 4 - From the Renaissance to the Modern Era
An Introduction to the Gifts in Modern Times
The Origins of the Modern Charismatic Movement

Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4 | Section 5



As we begin this study, it is important to note for the readers that we (the authors of these articles) were actually former members of the Charismatic Faith Movement. However, in the year immediately following our college graduation, we embarked upon a series of studies that contrary to our intentions, resulted in our leaving the Charismatic Faith Movement. The reasons we left will be explained in this series of articles.

We feel it is important to state up front that we are former Charismatics because we believe it helps to establish our credibility to speak on this issue. On that note, we would like to state up front that we spent nearly 9 years attending a Charismatic Faith Movement Church. We have spoken in tongues. We have laid hands on people and believed for healing. We have sown financial seeds in faith. We have placed ourselves under the "anointing" of ministers. And during the long time period in which we were Charismatics, we even rigorously spoke out to defend Charismatic doctrine and convince others that they should speak in tongues as well.

In fact, being Charismatic was the Christianity we were raised in from an early age. So, when we say that we left the Charismatic Movement, we are not just talking about a short stay in a particular area or denomination of the Church to which we were not particularly attached. We're talking about reevaluating and changing doctrinal views and practices that were ingrained in us from a very early age and that were not only extremely comfortable for us, but also very much enjoyable to us, and an integral part of our Christian up-bringing.

Because of our personal history, we hope that Charismatic Christians who read this series of articles, will do so with the awareness that we are not just "outsiders" who reject Charismatic doctrines as "weird" and "uncomfortable" or who "lack the faith or courage to get out of our comfort zone and let the Holy Spirit lead us." We hope that Charismatic readers will regard us not as "an enemy" but as someone who has in many ways walked in the same shoes, having ourselves believed, practiced, and defended Charismatic beliefs for many, many years.

To those on the other side of this debate, those who are not Charismatics, we hope that they will find our perspective and arguments to be insightful since they come from an insider's point of view. While we are no longer Charismatics (nor do we seek to find a way to return to being Charismatic), we do believe that non-charismatic Christians have in some cases overreached when it comes to some of their arguments. There has been a lot of rhetoric and emotion on either side of this debate. And as former Charismatics now turned non-Charismatic, it is our hope to provide a fair, logical, and accurate Biblical and historical analysis behind the modern charismatic gifts and how they relate to the gifts spoken of in the New Testament and practiced in the first few centuries AD.