I just watched Jesus Camp and one word sticks out for me: shame.
A lot of what was said I would agree with at some level, but for all the shame that was involved. I saw that shame in these children's tears. They internalized all the sin they were told was in them and in the world, and the it seems like it was that burden that caused the intense emotions that expressed itself as tears. They cried because they had been named as evil, and then told that it is their responsibility to tell everyone else they are evil. Shame is naturally evangelistic, and so it's not much of a stretch for these kids to easily become evangelists of this bastardized "gospel" of shame. When a person is consumed with shame, they cannot love, all they can do is shame others.
Speaking of shame, I don't want to vilify the specific people who were portrayed in this movie. Instead, I would like to ask broader questions about what should be taught to children, both in the church and in the home. Or, perhaps more foundationally, how is your theology different than that which was portrayed in the film (or is it?) and why? And what part do you think shame plays in fundamentalism as a whole?
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Are you a charismatic (going to heaven), or a cessationist (going to hell)? An unbiased view on certain gifts of the Holy Spirit
For the past two weeks, my life has been smothered with the question: are you a cessationist or a charismatic?
It all started when I began to read one of my dad's books, Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit? The first chapter deals with 11 theses on how cessationists and charismatics need to change. As a rough definition, cessationists believe that certain spiritual gifts brought on by the Holy Spirit (namely speaking in tongues, performing miracles, and faith healings) no longer exist (or at least are no longer at the will of one person) and died out after the last apostle died. Charismatics believe that all the spiritual gifts are alive and well and can be encompassed in one person. My dad is a cessationist. I am a cessationist (in as much as I have studied this past fortnight; the title was a stupid joke, not a mistake). Now, don't let me get you confused thinking that cessationists believe that healing no longer occurs, or that God no longer performs miracles. It is simply the idea that the Holy Spirit works through all of us, is occasionally prompted by prayer, and no longer gives these gifts to individuals to perform these things at will.
But, now is not the time for my take on this subject. I am currently forming my opinion on this subject and would like all of your input. I will answer any questions I can from my view point (seeing as I am the only cessationist I know in my age group). If you want, I can post some inputs from my dad. Also, I am going home in a couple weeks and sitting down to talk with him about the subject, so, if I can't answer stuff, I'll be sure to ask him. A good beginning point to think of is, if these gifts still exist, where were they during what is considered the second biggest event in Christian history (post resurrection), the Reformation?
It all started when I began to read one of my dad's books, Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit? The first chapter deals with 11 theses on how cessationists and charismatics need to change. As a rough definition, cessationists believe that certain spiritual gifts brought on by the Holy Spirit (namely speaking in tongues, performing miracles, and faith healings) no longer exist (or at least are no longer at the will of one person) and died out after the last apostle died. Charismatics believe that all the spiritual gifts are alive and well and can be encompassed in one person. My dad is a cessationist. I am a cessationist (in as much as I have studied this past fortnight; the title was a stupid joke, not a mistake). Now, don't let me get you confused thinking that cessationists believe that healing no longer occurs, or that God no longer performs miracles. It is simply the idea that the Holy Spirit works through all of us, is occasionally prompted by prayer, and no longer gives these gifts to individuals to perform these things at will.
But, now is not the time for my take on this subject. I am currently forming my opinion on this subject and would like all of your input. I will answer any questions I can from my view point (seeing as I am the only cessationist I know in my age group). If you want, I can post some inputs from my dad. Also, I am going home in a couple weeks and sitting down to talk with him about the subject, so, if I can't answer stuff, I'll be sure to ask him. A good beginning point to think of is, if these gifts still exist, where were they during what is considered the second biggest event in Christian history (post resurrection), the Reformation?
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