Ways of Resistance

A friend of mine, Patrick, is by far one of the most open people I know. He will talk with just about anyone–homeless, lesbian, republican, Mormon, Buddhist, Baptist, hippy, holy, unholy, USAmerican, European, Asian, Christian–I mean, anyone. And, usually, he’ll be having a good time to boot! He will literally talk with anyone. Now for someone like me, who sometimes gets kicked out of conversations, that feels pretty good. And when I told him about the latest online discussion I have been reading about and thinking through (There’s a Post Charismatic Movement? and The New Charismatics?), he was, as usual, quite interested and willing to talk.

A good conversation will stick with you for an extended amount of time. When something like that occurs, it generally means part(s) of you have changed–thoughts, moods, plans, perhaps even decisions–and this is the adventure of being in conversation. So, after doing a bit more research into the “post-charismatic” movement, I am ready and excited to say something that I haven’t ever thought to say previously (only instead of telling Patrick in person, I’m posting it here for everyone to read). In my search, I found a blog post by a lady named Cynthia who was prompted to write about her new ways of understanding revival (i.e., minus the spiritual abuse/manipulation) and about being a post-charismatic herself. She had watched these youtube videos of Todd Bentley ministering at the “Revival” in Lakeland, FL and couldn’t shake her uneasiness over all that the video depicted. I highly suggest you read her well written post and leave a comment about it (either here or there).

Anyway, here’s my take on it…As a convert within the Vineyard Movement (i.e., a pentecostal/evangelical non-denom. hybrid), and someone who has experienced many a revival meeting, I am open to the idea of Someone interacting supernaturally with us human beings. Let’s call that person the Holy Spirit. But before I go any farther, I should give some background about me and the HS.

It’s funny because at Simpson college (back when I was 18-19 years old), I thought I was the super-natural arbitrator of all things anointed and charismatic. According to my best intuitions at the time, I was just about to reach the FULL outpouring of the Holy Spirit (i.e., the blessing and power that Jesus promised–or did he?). I took in many preachers’ messages–telling myself that I just needed to attend a few more revival meetings, do a few more spiritual sit-ups, sing just one more round of Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble, etc.–and then BAAAMM, it would happen. I would be important, noticeable, significant to others. In actuality, I was on the verge of breakdown. My life did not coincide with this seductive (and incomplete) Charismatic image–seeing myself as somehow more spiritual than everyone else. In the end, I walked (some would say crawled) away with my self-respect and peer relationships barely intact. Not a bad consequence, though. For someone like me–who sometimes needs a shock to the system in order to change–it was a relief, exposing and satisfying a hunger I didn’t know I had.

Nowadays, I love God, I love my Charismatic upbringing, but I can’t seem to love that old manipulative tendency. The question I’m asking now is not “Are there any healings occurring?” or “How many prophecies have been given?,” but instead “Healings unto what?” and “Prophecies for the sake of who (or what)?” And it better not have anything to do with ME (or YOU), but instead with GOD and HIS UNMATCHED DREAMS for the whole world–in time, in history, pregnant with eternity. No seeing His creation as a sinking ship that we can (or should) escape from once Jesus returns. Instead loving God, loving our fellow creatures (including God’s world), and praying that we experience the welcoming we need for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in the heavens. Lets call that revival and prophesy that kind of spiritual victory! This may sound extreme, but it’s the best I’ve got. I’m not going to wait for Pastor so-and-so to tell me to love my neighbor or for the next celebrity minister to pray for me. I’m starting now! Are you with me?