Neogillist
Puritan Board Freshman
Check out this article by Barna Research. I think it is a bit alarming that the charismatic movement is still spreading and gaining popularity in America.
Is American Christianity Turning Charismatic? | Church Executive
However, on the up side, I think there is a number of growing "Reformed" Charismatic churches like that of J. C. Mahaney that are very conservative and may help bring Charismatic Christians into a more biblical-based form of Christianity. I am not a strict cessationist myself, since I cannot prove that position either from Scriptures or Historical Theology, but I think that the supernatural gifts have ceased for the most part, except for exorcism in Third World countries. In my perception, the charismatic movement is deceitful because it encourages believers to seek after spiritual experiences rather than proper doctrine and lifestyle. I have heard too many unfulfilled 'prophecies' when I belonged to the charismatic camp, and have experienced many disappointements from thinking that God was revealing to me something special to come. Our sinful minds can easily deceive us, especially when we are in a quest for meaning and happiness.
Is American Christianity Turning Charismatic? | Church Executive
However, on the up side, I think there is a number of growing "Reformed" Charismatic churches like that of J. C. Mahaney that are very conservative and may help bring Charismatic Christians into a more biblical-based form of Christianity. I am not a strict cessationist myself, since I cannot prove that position either from Scriptures or Historical Theology, but I think that the supernatural gifts have ceased for the most part, except for exorcism in Third World countries. In my perception, the charismatic movement is deceitful because it encourages believers to seek after spiritual experiences rather than proper doctrine and lifestyle. I have heard too many unfulfilled 'prophecies' when I belonged to the charismatic camp, and have experienced many disappointements from thinking that God was revealing to me something special to come. Our sinful minds can easily deceive us, especially when we are in a quest for meaning and happiness.