Posted on 07/20/2006 6:45:21 PM PDT by NYer
The bottom line is: Christianity is a religion based on divine revelation, pentecostalism is a religion based on personal emotional experience.
Christianity is a religion based on divine revelation. Catholicism is the belief that truth is universal. Universal revelation can appear as an endless list of "don'ts" to he whom the Holy Spirit does not dwell within. He who has the Holy Spirit is guided by that Spirit to fulfill his own calling, a myriad of "dos" beyond human comprehension.
But what is the Holy Spirit, and what is the clever subtlety of the devil?
The Holy Spirit seeks unity; the devil tempts people into believing You Own Personal Interpretation of Scripture.
The Holy Spirit speaks in solitude and quiet; the devil distracts us with noise, chaos, and trinkets.
The Holy Spirit is borne of taking up our cross in love; the devil promises us no pain, illness or suffering.
The Holy Spirit challenges us to use our full intellect in applying the Word to our daily lives; the devil confuses our heart with urges stemming from the seven deadly sins.
The Holy Spirit teaches us humility; the devil promises us glory.
The Holy Spirit dwells in our meekness; the devil exalts in power.
The Holy Spirit is one with the poor; the devil guarantees us profit.
The Holy Spirit calls us to fill ourselves through divine graces; the devil busies us with our good intentions.
The Holy Spirit gives us examples of the Saints; the devil slanders the Church.
The Holy Spirit guides us through the unanimity of those annointed by the apostles; the devil asks us to judge according to our own affections, suppositions, inductions and presumptions.
The Holy Spirit guides us through ages of great minds, and passionate believers; the devil dares not look to the time before the disintegration of Christianity in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Christians, ask yourselves this: which does YOUR church resemble?
I'll say this about the Catholic Charismatic Movement: Most modern movements start out faithful, rich in knowledge and love for the Church, and end up "slouching towards Gemorrah." The CCM started out ignorant, arrogant and radical, and now seeks guidance, obedience, and understanding, even though the USCCB is a counsel of wolves.
At least in the Washington area, it is precisely the graduates of Franciscan University (better known as "Steubenville," so the cheerleaders don't get in trouble) who are standing up to the hippy-era priests and demanding authentic worship.
There are two major spiritual movements which seem to be the ones generating all the fervently religious devotions among 20-somethings: Adoration and Charismaticism. My young adult group's worship activities are focused on Eucharistic Adoration, but led and infused with vitality from very charismatic, if not Charismatic, young people. The offspring of Eucharistic Adoration and Charismatic prayer meetings is quite a thing to behold: Young people singing loudly songs of worship TO God (instead of about God, like OPM), then dropping to their knees, and then spending quite a while in dead silence, interrupted by the ritual Latin songs (Tantum Ergo, O Salutaris Hostia), a gospel reading, and the Divine Praises.
I also go to the neighboring parish, where the 9-hour-long all-night adoration has been rejuvenated by a healthy influx of charismatics. (Well, the Caucasian crowd; the Philippine crowd wasn't in so desperate need of rejuvenation.)
One thing, though: It can be kinda tough to get priests for such things. Organizers want someone who will give confession, but Charismatics and Adorers take a long, long time in confession!
Oh, yeah... One other thing: The ONLY people *I* know who kneel and accept the Eucharistic host on the tongue are ALL charismatics. But then, there are traditionalist services that I haven't had the chance to go to, where I understand that's strictly the norm.
That's very interesting. Because (as I posted some months ago), the whole Charismatic movement might just be driven by an unconscious need for sacramentalism.... hence the laying on of hands, the miracles (or desire for such), the desire for the prophetic, the prayer cloths and special anointing oil from Israel, yours for a donation of $9.99 or more. (I can joke about them, 'cause I am one myself.)
Laugh all you want, but -- speaking from personal experience -- all of this Pentecostal stuff is driven by a DEEP desire for a DIRECT encounter with God. Indeed, if a geniune miracle occurs at every Mass, well, then, that's the strongest argument I can think of for swimming the Tiber.
>> Laugh all you want, but -- speaking from personal experience -- all of this Pentecostal stuff is driven by a DEEP desire for a DIRECT encounter with God. Indeed, if a geniune miracle occurs at every Mass, well, then, that's the strongest argument I can think of for swimming the Tiber. <<
Absolutely! You should have heard some of the Pentecostalist prayers I've heard; desperately pleading for the body and blood of Christ. Say what you want about them, but those are live wires they are playing with.
>> speaking from personal experience ... if a geniune miracle occurs at every Mass, well, then, that's the strongest argument I can think of for swimming the Tiber.<<
I just found another way to interpret that. Not sure which way is what you meant, but all I can say is that the water's fine. And I've known several Protestants who converted when they first experienced Eucharistic Adoration. His presence may be hidden behind the accidents* of water and wine, but some people who are starving badly enough can detect Him anyway.
Most interesting. BTW, statistics say that many members of the Assemblies of God are former Catholics.
(* The "four accidents" are the four ways we can use to what makes some thing that thing that it is: What it is made from, What purpose it serves, How it is used, and What it appears to be. In Catholic theology, eucharistic bread retains the accidences of appearance [it seems like bread to our senses], but in substance becomes the Body of Christ through a unique act of creation.)
>> Most interesting. BTW, statistics say that many members of the Assemblies of God are former Catholics. <<
Makes sense. Assemblies of God hunt for people who have a faith, but are weak in it, as opposed to non-believers. A full one half of Americans who identify with a denomination identify with Catholicism. Therefore any fairly new, growing and sarcophagic religion like the Assemblies of God will have congregations that are about one-half Catholic.
Many "catch religion" with such churches and return home, which is why 99% of the theological content of such churches is simply denial of Catholic teachings or strawmen misrepresentations of Catholic teachings. For instance, what's the fixation on idolatry about? Are there that many Virginians sacrificing to Baal? No, there are simply myriad of subtle suggestions that Catholicism is idolatry: "worshipping" statues; confessing to a priest "instead of" to God; trying to "atone for our sins ourselves" rather than trusting in Christ. Of course, educated Catholics know none of these accurately describe Catholicism. Sadly, Protestant culture drowns out Catholic education so fantastically, that many Catholics actually adopt such beliefs coming to believe that they are what the Catholic church teaches through Protestant culture!
I'm willing to be educated about all positions in this matter.
A great book is "No Price Too High," published by Ignatius Press. It is the story of Pentecostal preacher, Alex Jones, who is now a Roman Catholic Deacon. It tells the story of how he "crossed the Tiber," and brought with him most of his congregation, including his wife, their two sons, their wives, and children. Very interesting and inspiring story!
Ping to read later
pentecostalism is a religion based on personal emotional experience.
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No.
As my Assembly of God pastor in my teens often asserted . . . we are saved by faith, not feelings. But Praise God for the feelings.
Actually, as the research I studied in my PhD dissertation work affirmed, the assertion is not accurate. The "it's all emotionalism" slam is just plain false.
I suspect it's a comforting rationalization for many perspectives, though.
the Philippine crowd wasn't in so desperate need of rejuvenation.)
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I know what you mean. I loved it when the Philippine congregation would ask me to speak. I always ended up in tears at some point and they always loved me all the more. Great group.
"Miracle" is as good a description as any for what we Catholic believe happens at Mass.
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