#18. CHARISMATIC RENEWAL AND MISSION.

Christians are commissioned to do in their world what Jesus did in his: bringing salvation ('wholeness', the 'reign of God'), where there is pain, sickness, lostness, alienation, oppression, poverty, war, injustice. So the church's mission has three dimensions: evangelism (preaching good news), works of mercy (relieving persons' pain), and works of justice (addressing the causes of pain); and three instruments: word (what we say), deed (what we do) and sign (what God does).

Pentecostalists/charismatics have brought the church back to 'signs and wonders'; and they have generally done evangelism better than others. But their success has led them into another trap. To outsiders there's a kind of naive arrogance when the preacher says 'These words are not mine, but God's' but doesn't mention half the gospel. The apostles believed no one outside their group was eligible to minister in Christ's name (Mark 9:38). Note that Jesus didn't go to interview this other man to see if he had the right doctrine or was a card-carrying apostle. In fact Jesus gave him a green light to continue his ministry. The apostles' misconceptions were the beginning of what has become known as 'triumphalism': the idea that we are Jesus' favourites, and enjoy a privileged status. A subtle superiority is communicated to those on the other side of our opinions. Jesus confronted the apostles' triumphalism: 'Whoever is not against us is with us' (Mark 9:40). The apostles were dumbfounded. Jesus breaks down barriers between 'us' and 'them'.

Triumphalism also lacks a theology of suffering, hence the appeal of so-called 'prosperity teaching' (God wills all his people to be 'healthy and wealthy') in some pentecostal/charismatic groups. There is also a disinclination to set up many works of mercy (prayer for salvation/healing being more important than any other activity). Certainly there have been some exceptions - a leprosarium in West Africa, an orphanage in Egypt, Teen Challenge's work among prostitutes and drug addicts. And it is encouraging to read of some churches (e.g. the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Houston, Texas) where there is both charismatic ministry and strong community service.

Perhaps more seriously, like other conservative Christians pentecostal/charismatic churches are weakest of all in the justice area. There's more in the prophets than Joel's promise of the Spirit on all flesh. The prophets cried out for justice, the redress of wrongs done to the poor. The charismatic renewal has stressed the Spirit's re-creative work within the Christian community at the expense of the Spirit's creative witness in the world. Pentecostalists, particularly, have been suspicious of the world. Their pietism has led to an intense concentration of energy within the believing community.

But where is today's Isaiah or Amos crying out for justice? Actually, we are just beginning to hear them - with a Latin accent. Pentecostal Christians have been accused (e.g. by members of basic Christian communities in Latin America) of anaesthetizing people to political issues. The ecclesial communities are seeking a political encounter: 'principalities and powers' are godless socio-political structures. Until recently Pentecostals have been engaged in power encounters of another sort: battling the strongholds of demons.  A wholistic biblical stance would involve both dimensions.

#19. 'BEING "BAPTIZED IN THE SPIRIT" IS AN ANTIDOTE FOR ANTINOMIANISM'.   ??

It isn't. Antinomianism (living carelessly and 'lawlessly') is as much a trap for Pentecostals/charismatics as for anyone. Sometimes the pentecostal emphasis on a distinct post-conversion experience of the Spirit has produced a sense of false security against the attacks of the world, the flesh and the devil. It's another form of baptismal regeneration: 'I've been done: I'm among the elect, I can live as I like.'

We need more teaching on 'walking in the Spirit' and 'the fruits of the Spirit' (Gal. 5:22). As the Tennessee fanner said 'I don't care how high you jumped but how you walked when you landed'. The Cursillo movement within the Catholic (now Anglican and Lutheran) churches has been a marvellous corrective in this area. It is most important for all Christians - including leaders - to belong to nurturing groups, and to submit to spiritual  direction. Too many pastors and leaders are burning our or falling into sin: who heals the healers, pastors the pastors, renews the renewers?