continued from:Why is this (explosion of charismatic and Pentecostal church growth) happening? Author and theologian, Jurgen Moltmann says it’s experiential; that many people express the personal experience of the Spirit, through the realization that God loves them whoever they are, wherever they are and it lifts them out of despair.
He quotes Karl Rahner who explains that people are then not ‘merely hearers of the Word’, but become spokesmen of the Word too.’ The difference with typical mainline religions is that Word and Spirit then are seen in a ‘mutual relationship and not as a one-way street. The Spirit is the subject determining the Word, not just the operation of that Word; . . . ‘The indwelling of the Spirit ‘in our hearts’ goes deeper than the conscious level in us. It rouses all our senses, permeates the unconscious too, and quickens the body, giving it new life. . . . To bind the experience of the Spirit solely to the Word is one-sided, and represses these dimensions.’ For Moltmann, a relationship as this cannot be conceived in merely intellectual terms. See The Spirit of Life, A Universal Affirmation.
Painting is from the Pfarrkirche St. Gordian und Epimachus, Merazhofen, Stadt Leutkirch im Allgäu, Landkreis Ravensburg Josephsaltar, Altarblatt "Pfingstwunder" von Fidelis Schabet, 1867 which means Pentecost Wonder.
Moltmann believes it is a false alternative to choose between Divine Revelation (as in God speaking through Scriptures) and Human Experience of the Holy Spirit. Earlier dialectical theologians said the problem stemmed because we started with human consciousness of God, not from the Divine Word to men and women. That’s called theology ‘from below’ versus ‘above’. A famous early to mid-century theologian Karl Barth claimed the Spirit of God is not the spirit of human beings; as a sinner one is dependent on grace and so it’s experienced more as a Spirit of promise, us waiting faithfully in expectation. The transcendent God is outside our experience and comprehension, only breaking through in glimpses. Moltmann believes that human experience is because God’s Spirit is present in human beings as the Life and Source itself. From here you can read countless arguments and door-stopper sized books from every angle.
Having been a party to the joy, conviction, hope and positive emotion, the very expression of faith and conviction in God’s presence during a prayer session when Pentecostals rallied to support two vibrant young women on life support after a car accident, I can only affirm that there is something remarkably appealing to this simpler connection that many find missing in the mainline denominations. (They made a stunning recovery). The positive energy gives support and hope to their lives. Small wonder these are among the fastest growing churches worldwide. They’re based on real life experience and emotion, not doctrine. It's not mere belief.
He quotes Karl Rahner who explains that people are then not ‘merely hearers of the Word’, but become spokesmen of the Word too.’ The difference with typical mainline religions is that Word and Spirit then are seen in a ‘mutual relationship and not as a one-way street. The Spirit is the subject determining the Word, not just the operation of that Word; . . . ‘The indwelling of the Spirit ‘in our hearts’ goes deeper than the conscious level in us. It rouses all our senses, permeates the unconscious too, and quickens the body, giving it new life. . . . To bind the experience of the Spirit solely to the Word is one-sided, and represses these dimensions.’ For Moltmann, a relationship as this cannot be conceived in merely intellectual terms. See The Spirit of Life, A Universal Affirmation.
Painting is from the Pfarrkirche St. Gordian und Epimachus, Merazhofen, Stadt Leutkirch im Allgäu, Landkreis Ravensburg Josephsaltar, Altarblatt "Pfingstwunder" von Fidelis Schabet, 1867 which means Pentecost Wonder.
Moltmann believes it is a false alternative to choose between Divine Revelation (as in God speaking through Scriptures) and Human Experience of the Holy Spirit. Earlier dialectical theologians said the problem stemmed because we started with human consciousness of God, not from the Divine Word to men and women. That’s called theology ‘from below’ versus ‘above’. A famous early to mid-century theologian Karl Barth claimed the Spirit of God is not the spirit of human beings; as a sinner one is dependent on grace and so it’s experienced more as a Spirit of promise, us waiting faithfully in expectation. The transcendent God is outside our experience and comprehension, only breaking through in glimpses. Moltmann believes that human experience is because God’s Spirit is present in human beings as the Life and Source itself. From here you can read countless arguments and door-stopper sized books from every angle.
Having been a party to the joy, conviction, hope and positive emotion, the very expression of faith and conviction in God’s presence during a prayer session when Pentecostals rallied to support two vibrant young women on life support after a car accident, I can only affirm that there is something remarkably appealing to this simpler connection that many find missing in the mainline denominations. (They made a stunning recovery). The positive energy gives support and hope to their lives. Small wonder these are among the fastest growing churches worldwide. They’re based on real life experience and emotion, not doctrine. It's not mere belief.
Along with all the pitfalls of that approach, we are in a new era where 'Experience of Life is experience of God', as Moltmann’s first chapter is termed. Beyond his academic approach, one might say this era sees an unusual convergence of process theology, Eastern philosophies and a taste of Hebrew mysticism coupled with a touch of Gnostic influence and tales from the emergence of the early church. There are conservative and liberal ‘takes’ which makes the future of belief itself, a very fluid thing.
No comments:
Post a Comment