Thoughts on Sane Church Life

The Adrenaline of Manifestations

In Pentecostal and Charismatic church circles, "manifestations of the Spirit" are common barometers of the power of the time of corporate gathering. This method of reading a service has proven faulty repeatedly throughout history. From the writings against Montanus in the second century, to Jonathan Edwards and the days of the Great Awakening, up until the writings of church apologists today; people have attempted to show the weakness of trusting activities which have been called manifestations of God's Spirit, as being evidence of a true move of God.

The verdict is in, and evidence is conclusive. Not everything which happens in the name of God is from God. But, the argument is not as simple as that. So here it goes: My simple attempt to answer this age old dilemma. Is it God, or is it simply the adrenal glands of excitable people?

God has moved in ways which have caused people to react strangely in scripture, and these events cannot be denied. John and Ezekiel fell as though they were dead. Priests at the tabernacle have been overcome, and could not stand in the manifest presence of the Lord. Zechariah was made mute for a season, and King Saul, along with a group of prophets, prophesied in apparent ecstatic utterances for long duration. People spoke with languages they never learned, and even appeared to be as drunken men, in front of a gathered crowd of unbelievers. God has done strange things to people, and certainly has the power to do so today.

PaulÕs rebuke to the Corinthian church, in which he called their behavior barbaric, is not a carte Blanche rejection of anything which appears strange. This does not stand up to the test of the rest of scripture. When God Himself has caused strange, almost embarrassing things to happen to people, who are we to reject those events of scriptural history?

On the other hand, who are we to break PaulÕs injunctions to do things decently, and in order, and behave in ways which appear barbaric to those around us?

God has done, and continues to do things which break the boundaries of our rules of order. He continues to stretch the lines of the boxes we create, and He does so in order to reach men and women, which our boxes have drawn out.

In many of the so-called revivals of current days, I am sure that God has indeed moved with dramatic manifestations. Yet, I am sure that a great number of the so-called manifestations are simply the weaknesses of frail humans. Unfortunately, these weaknesses are given a spotlight, and are called "blessings."

The Spirit of God can and does move in people's hearts to bring comfort and refreshing. This move can be felt, and may have physical manifestations which accompany it. Because God moves in ways which we can feel, there are people who simply overreact to times when the Spirit "comes upon them." This over-reaction is a response of weakness, not self-control. It is an adrenaline response. God, I am sure, may even continue to bless some of those who respond strangely.

Is it appropriate to shout when we feel the presence of God? We are enjoined by scripture to "shout to God." On the other hand, uncontrollable noises and animalistic behavior seems quite inappropriate for a people who are called kings and priests.

There is a prayer which is defined as "groanings which cannot be uttered." I am not sure that a room full of groaning people is always evidence that this kind of prayer is occurring.

Dancing is an appropriate form of worship expression according to the Psalmist, but strange flailings upon the floor do not appear to be what David had in mind.

Yes, people have fallen down because God's presence was too much for them bare. Having a preacher push me down, is not the same thing.

Strange behavior, and raucous services can create an adrenaline rush, and it is quite possible that there is more adrenaline than there is God. Yet, because God uses and blesses funny people, it is quite possible to have varying degrees of God and peculiar explosions of adrenaline happening at the same time - in the same service, maybe even in the same person.

There are certainly more dangerous behaviors in Christendom than over-reaction to the move of God's Spirit. Perhaps, our often salacious criticism of churches which behave in this manner, is more detestable to God. For myself, I would rather have a touch of strange behavior, than a hint of skepticism against the people God loves.

Ultimately, this question of whether it is adrenaline or God, in respect to the manifestations of the Spirit hits home for every church style. The Pentecostal must determine whether the prophesies given are from God, or are generated from another source. The occurrence of prophetic utterances does not mean that God has spoken. Paul attempted to teach the Corinthians this same lesson. (1 Cor. 12:1-3) The falling down, the bursting into loud ecstatic utterances of "tongues," and other events which we call manifestations, should be held under the scope, to determine if they are adrenaline, or if they are God.

The non-charismatic gathering has its gauges for determining when God has moved. Successful altar calls are often seen as proof that God has blessed a church. Unfortunately, the numbers which pour to the altar, are usually drastic exaggerations of the real number of conversions. Are we honest enough to tell people this truth? or do we allow them to continue to be excited over inflated, even false numbers? Of course everyone wants to be on a winning team. Like watching a football game, it is always more fun when your team is winning. It is an adrenaline rush, and that may be the largest effect our conversion numbers creates - excitement that we are on a winning team. But, if few of those coming to the altar are really getting saved, we must ask ourselves, is the excitement which it creates adrenaline, or is it God?

 

The Adrenaline of the Offering

"The love of money is the root of all evil." I suppose this section could be started, and completed by this quote alone. There is not great hope for the future of the church, if the collection is the most exciting element of our times of gathering together.

One fall day, I wandered into a Witchcraft shop to meet people, and develop some relationships with the Pagan community in our city. A young man wandered in to purchase some Celtic music, and soon, he and I were in discussion. When he discovered that I was a Pastor, who had recently moved into to town to begin a new church, he began a tirade of accusations against the Christian church. These accusations had to do with the misuse of power, and of money.

I smiled as he railed, and occasionally, nodded in agreement, or said, "Yes, I agree." He was right. The history of Christianity in the Western world is filled with stories of greed, and oppression. No, not all churches behave in this manner, and certainly, the heroes of the faith I follow, were men of greater integrity.

Eventually, he lost steam, and I was able to say that we hoped to develop a style of church life which avoided these evils. He was won over by my response, which identified with problems he recognized in the Christianity.

It is unfortunate, that we must deal with such a sordid past. Worse yet, it is criminal that we should have to suffer with these indignities today. The world sees when our offerings require 20 minutes or longer of badgering, and cajoling, and encouraging, and begging, and hype. It is evidence that God is not the source of our supply, or of a congregation's generosity, when we must press for the money to flow. It is not God, but adrenaline which supplies the need of the local church in this manner.