A Charismatic Concern

Charismatic Christians want to reclaim the fullness of the gospel, particularly the work of the Spirit that results in the experience of God's presence, the realization of the power of God in life, and the response of heartfelt praise. The charismatic renewal is a prophetic renewal movement. To a large degree its prophetic protest and its renewal goals are directed to the churches. Directly or indirectly, those in the movement are saying that the churches need renewal. How do the churches react to this implied criticism? What does the renewal offer which so many in the churches find compelling? There is general admission on the part of the churches that many Christians are living below their expected spiritual potential, and that persons who are drawn to the renewal are not the indifferent, but people who are genuinely and sincerely seeking a deeper and more meaningful spiritual life. The tendency to live below one's spiritual potential is due, in part, to the lack of a sense of rea…