Non-Christians: What's your impression of Pentecostalism?

[Laya404]

Hello! I'm doing an assignment at my Pentecostal Bible College, and need some input specifically from non-Christians

I'm looking for answers to three specific questions:

• What is your overall impression of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?
• How well do you feel you understand the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?
• Do you feel the overall impact of Pentecostal/Charismatic ministries such as those by Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Oral Roberts, and Pat Robertson has been a positive or negative thing for Christianity?

Answer as many or as few as you would like, as long or short as you would like - any input is welcome

Thank you and have a lovely day!

 

[Jedster]

Please give a description of what the Pentecostal version of Christianity is?
AlI I know is that it is one of the numerous versions of Christianity.

 

[Laya404]

Sure! Here's a description I pulled from the web:

"Pentecostalism is a form of Christianity that emphasises the work of the Holy Spirit and the direct experience of the presence of God by the believer. Pentecostals believe that faith must be powerfully experiential, and not something found merely through ritual or thinking. Pentecostalism is energetic and dynamic. Its members believe they are driven by the power of God moving within them. Pentecostal churches stress the importance of conversions that amount to a Baptism in the Spirit. This fills the believer with the Holy Spirit, which gives the believer the strength to live a truly Christian life. The direct experience of God is revealed by gifts of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing." (BBC - Religions - Christianity: Pentecostalism)

In Christian theology, Pentecostalism is distinct in that it emphasizes something called "the baptism of the Holy Spirit" as a spiritual experience subsequent to salvation, marked by the manifestation of the spiritual gift of tongues.

In culture, Pentecostals are generally known for their stress on spiritual experience and distinctive, charismatic style of worship. For instance, you might see people in a Pentecostal service singing, swaying, speaking in a strange language known as tongues, falling down, lost in the worship, etc.

The names listed are controversial televangelists that are associated with Pentecostalism. Think faith healings and prosperity gospel.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

I see very little about speaking in tongues that makes any sense. I think speaking in tongues means speaking a foreign language, not gibberish. In the Bible, when someone spoke in tongues, he was speaking a language that some of those present could understand. Maybe Greek or Hebrew. They were not just making up sounds.

 

[Jedster]

Sure! Here's a description I pulled from the web:

"Pentecostalism is a form of Christianity that emphasises the work of the Holy Spirit and the direct experience of the presence of God by the believer. Pentecostals believe that faith must be powerfully experiential, and not something found merely through ritual or thinking. Pentecostalism is energetic and dynamic. Its members believe they are driven by the power of God moving within them. Pentecostal churches stress the importance of conversions that amount to a Baptism in the Spirit. This fills the believer with the Holy Spirit, which gives the believer the strength to live a truly Christian life. The direct experience of God is revealed by gifts of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing." (BBC - Religions - Christianity: Pentecostalism)

In Christian theology, Pentecostalism is distinct in that it emphasizes something called "the baptism of the Holy Spirit" as a spiritual experience subsequent to salvation, marked by the manifestation of the spiritual gift of tongues.

In culture, Pentecostals are generally known for their stress on spiritual experience and distinctive, charismatic style of worship. For instance, you might see people in a Pentecostal service singing, swaying, speaking in a strange language known as tongues, falling down, lost in the worship, etc.

The names listed are controversial televangelists that are associated with Pentecostalism. Think faith healings and prosperity gospel.

In view of the emboldened text above , please give your own experience(s). IMO, that would be better than google and easier to respond to.
Thanks.

 

[Skwim]

Hello! I'm doing an assignment at my Pentecostal Bible College, and need some input specifically from non-Christians

I'm looking for answers to three specific questions:

• What is your overall impression of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?

• Radical, off the wall, arm-waving fundamentalists who have pretty much exchanged reason for emotional release in their faith, but remain amusing in their antics during worship services.

"Pentecostals / Charismatics rolling of floor barking like dogs - 'slain in the spirit' "​

How well do you feel you understand the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?

The movement? Only somewhat familiar. Wouldn't want to take a test on it.

Do you feel the overall impact of Pentecostal/Charismatic ministries such as those by Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Oral Roberts, and Pat Robertson has been a positive or negative thing for Christianity?

STRICTLY negative. As hustlers, no religion deserves them as kinfolk.

.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

It strikes me as seriously unhinged, but this is based on zero direct experience.

 

[sun rise]

What is your overall impression of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?

Somewhat positive because of their emphasis on going beyond rituals. Somewhat negative because of the value placed on expressing their experiences.

How well do you feel you understand the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?

Only superficially

Do you feel the overall impact of Pentecostal/Charismatic ministries such as those by Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Oral Roberts, and Pat Robertson has been a positive or negative thing for Christianity?

I don't know anything about the first two. I associate Oral Roberts with televangelism and prosperity gospel neither of which strike me as Christian. Pat Robertson to me is a politician who uses the language of Christianity to promote conservative ideology.

 

[shunyadragon]

Sure! Here's a description I pulled from the web:

"Pentecostalism is a form of Christianity that emphasises the work of the Holy Spirit and the direct experience of the presence of God by the believer. Pentecostals believe that faith must be powerfully experiential, and not something found merely through ritual or thinking. Pentecostalism is energetic and dynamic. Its members believe they are driven by the power of God moving within them. Pentecostal churches stress the importance of conversions that amount to a Baptism in the Spirit. This fills the believer with the Holy Spirit, which gives the believer the strength to live a truly Christian life. The direct experience of God is revealed by gifts of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing." (BBC - Religions - Christianity: Pentecostalism)

In Christian theology, Pentecostalism is distinct in that it emphasizes something called "the baptism of the Holy Spirit" as a spiritual experience subsequent to salvation, marked by the manifestation of the spiritual gift of tongues.

In culture, Pentecostals are generally known for their stress on spiritual experience and distinctive, charismatic style of worship. For instance, you might see people in a Pentecostal service singing, swaying, speaking in a strange language known as tongues, falling down, lost in the worship, etc.

The names listed are controversial televangelists that are associated with Pentecostalism. Think faith healings and prosperity gospel.

Personally I am indifferent to the claims of Pentecostal Christianity as being any different than any of the other diverse conflicting divisions. There are extreme claims of knowledge by speaking in tongues and Revelation from the Holy Spirit. But I see nothing of substance as resulting from these claims.

I believe the claim of going beyond rituals is the same awkward meaningless claim of many that were not a church or religion yet nonetheless they are organized like churches and religions. Pretty much all organized like churches and religions with rituals believe they go beyond the rituals.

 

[crossfire]

Honestly, I see Pentecostals as the Christian version of Bliss Junkies, with similar psychological problems associated with addiction that any other junkie manifests.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[Kenny]

It's an amazing experience. However, those who are called Charismatic can be found in every denomination including and not limited to the Catholics and Baptists.

 

[shunyadragon]

It's an amazing experience. However, those who are called Charismatic can be found in every denomination including and not limited to the Catholics and Baptists.

I believe amazing experiences in my view is superficial considering fallible nature of humans. Ok. people have amazing experience many diverse ways and beliefs, but beyond that it remains only a 'personal experience.' Considering the exclusive claims of the Roman Church and many Baptist compounds the problem as to who experiences the true Charismatic experience. Like Pentecostal experiences. what knowledge is acquired that would be meaningful as opposed to others who do not have have these experience.

Also, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews. Muslims and many other believers claim 'amazing personal mystical spiritual experiences,' What makes any one claim unique or different from the other?

As per the topic of the thread; What would make the Pentecostal experience unique and more significant than the experiences in any other church or religion?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Hello! I'm doing an assignment at my Pentecostal Bible College, and need some input specifically from non-Christians

I'm looking for answers to three specific questions:

• What is your overall impression of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?

Generally negative.

• How well do you feel you understand the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?

6 or 7 out of 10, maybe? I've read about it but only attended one Pentecostal worship service.

• Do you feel the overall impact of Pentecostal/Charismatic ministries such as those by Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Oral Roberts, and Pat Robertson has been a positive or negative thing for Christianity?

Profoundly negative.

Edit: I consider Benny Hinn and Creflo Dollar to be outright con men, while I think Oral Roberts and Pat Robertson are probably sincere but horribly misguided.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Hello! I'm doing an assignment at my Pentecostal Bible College, and need some input specifically from non-Christians

I'm looking for answers to three specific questions:

• What is your overall impression of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?
• How well do you feel you understand the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?
• Do you feel the overall impact of Pentecostal/Charismatic ministries such as those by Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Oral Roberts, and Pat Robertson has been a positive or negative thing for Christianity?

Answer as many or as few as you would like, as long or short as you would like - any input is welcome

Thank you and have a lovely day!

Out of curiosity: what's the purpose of your assignment?

 

[shunyadragon]

I've read about it but only attended one Pentecostal worship service.

I have attended a number over the years including Holy Rollers and Snake Handlers, and other than some dangerous, others rather bizzaro, and the claims of healing outrageously over rated.

 

[Regiomontanus]

I see very little about speaking in tongues that makes any sense. I think speaking in tongues means speaking a foreign language, not gibberish. In the Bible, when someone spoke in tongues, he was speaking a language that some of those present could understand. Maybe Greek or Hebrew. They were not just making up sounds.

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit

 

[shunyadragon]

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit

There is witness nor evidence over the millennia as what these 'mysteries of the Spirit are, and the claims are very diverse and conflicting over time.

 

[Regiomontanus]

There is witness nor evidence over the millennia as what these 'mysteries of the Spirit are, and the claims are very diverse and conflicting over time.

Paul did not seem confused about it.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Hello! I'm doing an assignment at my Pentecostal Bible College, and need some input specifically from non-Christians

I am not sure if you count me or not, since I am a liberal Christian. Please do. I have some experience with charismata and see good and bad. I don't talk about this constantly. I'd say the charismatics share in common the largest problems of most other denominations and have not distinguished themselves with glossalalia, healing services or any of the things they are commonly known for. Rather, they are more of the same, which I think is unfortunate. I would prefer that they were better than the rest rather than merely more charismatic.

What is your overall impression of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?

It is very similar to southern baptist. Actually it was during my childhood that the charismatics and the SBC baptists came to terms. Before that the SBC baptists were quite alarmed about glossolalia among other things. I think that many other large denominations had a similar reaction and since then came to accept the Pentecostal movement which has since influenced almost all churches including liberal ones. It represents a permanent change in Christian culture in the USA, particularly in the South though it began in the North ( I think). I'm not sure about the History, and charismata and healing services are things which have gone round the world and come right back here. There is a lot of international back and forth.

How well do you feel you understand the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement?

I'd say better than most, but I have reference material and experience. People without experience cannot distinguish it from any other group. Its also increasingly difficult to distinguish since it has impacted so many denominations that its losing its singular flavor. In my experience anyone who knows anything about it must have experienced several services at other denominations in order to distinguish it or must have some some reading. Liturgical churches tend to have a different feel thought they also are adopting some charismatic practices such as 'Contemporary' (now 50 years old) worship services.

Do you feel the overall impact of Pentecostal/Charismatic ministries such as those by Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Oral Roberts, and Pat Robertson has been a positive or negative thing for Christianity?

Pat Robertson and Oral Roberts are in a different class than Benny Hinn or Creflo Dollar, although they associate with them. Robertson and Roberts are actual scholars and actually know things. They are builders of institutions. I disagree with their accumulation of wealth, but I respect their ability and their staff. I'm not sure why Founder's Inn needs to exist which reminds me a little too much of PTL and also don't think much of some of Oral Roberts pursuits. They argue that Christians need a separate education from regular people, and I don't like that. They criminalize as unchristian seminaries such as Yale and Harvard, yet their own seminaries are following similar paths and will eventually be the same.

Creflo and Benny are just fake miracle workers, not in the same class as Robertson and Roberts. I pity those who are under their sway and take them seriously on any subject from demons to shirt styles.

 

[shunyadragon]

Paul did not seem confused about it.

Paul is Paul ~1900 years ago and that was Paul's 'personal experience' subject to 'subjective interpretation' which many different churches interpret differently. There is also Buddha's and Krishna's experience and many others.

I am referring to recent observable history and claims, and their diverse conflicting interpretations, and there is nothing to indicate that ther is any coherent and consistent knowledge revealed in thes experiences. They are all 'personal experiences' like Paul and no evidence of anything more than that..