Page 109 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT

MANIFEST SONS OF GOD O'Clock in the Morning and The Holy Spirit and You. The
Many well-known Pentecostal leaders have been movement spread quickly among Episcopalians,
proponents of the most extreme views of latter rain. Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and other
One of these, called Manifest Sons of God, claims that a Protestant denominations. It was promoted by the Full
select group of Christians will be perfected and Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International led by
immortalized during the latter rain miracle revival and Demos Shakarian (1913-93).
this band of perfected saints, led by end-time apostles, The Charismatic movement penetrated Roman
will go throughout the world performing miracles. Catholicism in the latter half of the 1960s. In January
Manifest Sons of God theology claims that this miracle 1967 students at the Roman Catholic Duquesne
revival will result in most of the world being saved and University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began having
will usher in the Lord’s return. Pentecostal-type experiences, speaking in “tongues,”
This doctrine was taught by John Robert Stevens, a falling, weeping, prophesying. By 1974, 30,000
disciple of William Branham. Stevens was the “apostle” attended the annual charismatic Catholic conference at
of the Church of the Living Word in Redondo Beach, Notre Dame. The next year 10,000 charismatic Catholics
California. Though discredited by many scandals, the traveled to Rome to hear Pope Paul VI welcome them to
Manifest Sons of God theology has been revived by the Vatican. It is important to understand that the
various Pentecostal “prophets,” including Paul Cain who charismatic experience does not draw Catholics to the
has been aligned with John Wimber and the Vineyard truth, but confirms their Catholic doctrine. After Roman
movement in recent years and with Todd Bentley and Catholics associated with Notre Dame University began
the “Lakeland Outpour” of 2008. exhibiting charismatic phenomena in 1967, a
The strange Manifest Sons of God theology is based Pentecostal ex-missionary asked them, “Now that you
on a faulty interpretation of Romans 8:19-23, among have received the Holy Spirit when are you thinking of
other passages. It is a result of dispensational confusion. leaving the Roman Catholic Church?” The astonished
In reality, Romans 8:19-23 encourages the child of God Roman Catholic charismatics replied, “But we have
to be patient with the troubles and imperfection he absolutely no intention of leaving the Church” (Fernand
experiences in this present world, knowing that when Legrand, All about Speaking in Tongues, p. 4).
Christ returns we will experience that which we long The Charismatic leaders and organizations promote a
for: resurrection bodies, immortality, sinless perfection, number of newer teachings. Chief among these are the
the glory of God, the transformation of the earth. positive confession doctrines, which claim that the
Manifest Sons of God proponents do not believe this believer can have healing and prosperity through
refers to something which will occur after Christ’s channeling his faith (of which we will say more in the
return, but before. next paragraph). Typically they chase all sorts of other
Though most of the current Pentecostal-Charismatic unscriptural doctrines and practices. The “laughing
revivalists would reject certain aspects of Manifest Sons revival,” which began under the ministries of Rodney
of God theology, such as immortalization, they also hold Howard-Browne and John Arnott and swept through
to some aspects. They believe, for example, that the countless charismatic churches, is an example. Having
coming of Christ will be preceded by miracles which will loosed themselves from principle that the Bible is the
be greater even than those of apostolic times, and they final and sole authority for faith and practice, having
believe that current Pentecostal revivals such as those in accepted the possibility of new revelation, and having
Toronto and Pensacola are a harbinger of those put an undue emphasis upon signs and wonders and
miracles. experiences, they are adrift upon the uncertain sea of
THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT confusion and apostasy.
THE POSITIVE CONFESSION/WORD -FAITH
In the 1960s Pentecostalism became ecumenical and MOVEMENT
moved into the mainstream denominations. This began
with the outbreak of “tongues speaking” at St. Mark’s The Word-Faith movement is a very influential part
Episcopal Church in Van Nuys, California. The priest, of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement today. It is
Dennis Bennett (1917-1991), supported the move and also known as “Positive Confession” or simply the
became a leader in promoting it in many other “Faith” movement. It has no organizational or
churches. Bennett was forced to resign from St. Mark’s denominational structure or hierarchy but it is
and subsequently moved to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church promoted by many prominent Pentecostal leaders who
in Seattle, Washington. Bennett has had a wide have large and prosperous ministries. The Word-Faith
influence through his frequent travels and speaking movement is powered by massive amounts of money
engagements and his best-selling books, including Nine that its teachers raise through their promise of healing
and prosperity and power. It is represented by the

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