I wasn’t around in the early 1900’s when the Pentecostal Movement
of the 20th century began. Was it a real move of God? I believe
it was, even though some of the original people involved disavowed
themselves from what happened.
Then there was the Latter Rain Movement in the late 1940’s. That too
was a real move of God in my opinion. I wasn’t born when this move of
God took place but I have heard men speak who were a part of the movement.
Next came the Charismatic Movement of the 1960’s and 70’s and it’s
sub-movements. The Jesus People Movement was a sub-movement of the
Charismatic Movement. I feel proud to have been a part of both of these
movements.
Then there are the movements of the 1990’s. The Toronto Blessing is
one of these moves of God. Do I think that these movements were from God.
For the most part I do, although I do think that there were excesses, but
there are excesses in every move of God. Excesses is where man does things
that are beyond the scope of what the Lord intends. Barking as dogs to me
was one such excess.
I do believe that there are fads. Some Christians today merely copy
what they see work in another church community. Various techniques are
promoted all over the world through the proliferation of books, magazines,
TV shows and web sites, (mine included). Why we need to copy what some
other church community is doing is beyond me. I believe that each
community should seek Jesus to see what should be done in that particular
situation. This is a much more creative approach to church life, and much
more Biblical in my opinion.
I’m not suggesting that the Lord can’t use some of these fads. I
think He can. But I think if you are honest and look back into recent
history you will see certain fads that come and go. I even heard one
pastor say that he is looking out for the newest thing to implement in his
church.
I would like to suggest some examples of what I believe are fads but I
will reframe. The point to what I am making is that many fads do come and
go in Christians circles. We should be careful in what we follow. We
should give ourselves to prayer and the study of Scripture to see what
Jesus would have for us, and not merely copy the latest thing going.
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