What if the Missional Church went Charismatic?

My old college friend Tim Hein wrote an interesting blog: "What if the Missional Church went Charismatic?" He starts the post with thoughts from Clark Pinnock, (One of my old favorite authors who started my affinity for open theism). Briefly Tim describes how the Holy Spirit within the church takes two modes sacramental and charismatic. Tim then goes on to describe this in practice within the Australian church historically. The renewal or the third wave movement in the 80's. I was involved in the vineyard Church, which was part of this movement. Then the 'missional' Church which I was also involved in refocused things on the Sacremental. It was good to read and have a language for somthing which I went through.

 

Tim asks the question: will the next large renewal within the Church be a merge of these two aspects of the Holy Spirit?

I though about this a lot yesterday. There is possibility, but like all renewels it will come from the mainstream of the Church. I don't think this would include the AOG, Vinyeard or any overtly Chrrismatic group/denomination. The gifts and how they are observed are so well ingrained. My own opinion is that the Charismatic movement has hit 'peak', similar to 'peak oil'; they wont pick up any greater percentage of converts with the Charismatic style and the rules of bagage that goes with it. Most people have already observed and felt similar experience to Charismatic Churches. The ecstasy and feeling of oneness which may happen in a close football match, or a rock concert. Other religions have the same outward expression as Charismatic, the Hindu kundalini for example. Australian now are more likely to weigh this up before making a commitment.

 

I think if the what Tim preposes did come about the movement would be from the Sacrmental side; those who are interested in the more active Charismatic, but hold most stongly to the sacremental. Maybe the renewal would come from the denomination which Tim is in, The Uniting Church. Which is more open to diffen't ideas, it has wide doors. (A wide variety of theology as well) Without neccesary kicking people or making people increadably uncomfortable, if they don't agree.

Another hero gone!

One of my favourite theologicans Clark Pinnock has passed away, from Christianity Today, Doug Koop::

Clark H. Pinnock's life journey is over. The influential and often controversial evangelical theologian died unexpectedly August 15 of a heart attack. He was 73. In March, the long-time professor of systematic theology at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario, had announced he was withdrawing from public life and revealed that he was battling Alzheimer's disease.

It was a difficult admission for a man whose mercurial mind and openness to the Holy Spirit led him to stake out theological positions that challenged evangelical orthodoxies. Renowned for exploring the frontiers of biblical truth, he was reputed to study carefully, think precisely, argue forcefully, and shift his positions willingly if he discovered a more fruitful pathway of understanding. He said he preferred to be known, "not as one who has the courage of his convictions, but one who has the courage to question them and to change old opinions which need changing."

I'm not surprised he had Alzheimer's, his finding mp3's or any recent information was pretty much zero
Pinnock was always a refreshing read. It was rare that I ever picked up his book and didn't find some amazing truth about God and his ways.

Open Theism and Brian Mclaren

Brian McLaren is the classic post modern guy.

Repetativley, yet rightly so he always declines been a spokesman for the 'Emerging Church'.

The other thing is how he often dodges direct questions. Recently he was asked in his question and answer section about Open Theism.

1. God does not determine the future in detail because He cannot know the future…the future simply cannot be known by anyone
I would phrase this a bit differently. I would put it in terms of these questions: What kind of relationship does God want with the universe? What kind of universe did God make?

What a postmodern classic, throwing out another question. Interestingly just like Jesus. 'Who do you think I am?"

Its Interesting Open Theism, like Mclaren writes, does run 'parallel' to the 'Emergent' movement.
After reading a lot of books from Mclaren, especially the new book 'A New Kind of Christianity', a lot of questions Mclaren asks are answered in Clark Pinnocks book "A Wilderness in God's Mercy".
Yet I would say that McLaren while giving round about answers sits in a similar position as Open Theism. Pinnock is more direct as well giving more theological support.
I can understand Mclaren not wanting to be put in a theological box and not wanting to be linked to anyone yet have something in common with everyone.