Charismatic True?

Dear Victorious,

I read your post yesterday on true religions and you don't seem to address charismatic Christianity. Where do the charismatics fall in the realm of true religions?

Mary Lynn - Boulder, CO

Dear Mary Lynn,

I didn't comment on charismatics because I don't consider them a religion. There can be more charismatic sects of just about any Christian religion. For that matter, I'm guessing you could have charismatic sects of other religions too! The Bible doesn't specifically address charismatics any more than it does Methodists or Baptists. So just like a religion, we shouldn't view the style of worship as being any more representative of the truth. It is not.

Ironically, the Bible is replete with examples of worship that would definitely be considered as charismatic in today's modern culture. Speaking in tongues, performing miracles of healing, spirited singing and dancing are all Biblical. The New Testament church was full of such things. Even in the Old Testament, there are several examples that point to what we might consider charismatic behavior. (King David, for example, was chastised for "acting foolish" in his worship.)

But here's the thing about charismatic worship. It must be Spirit-led. If it isn't ... it is not true.