It is the conviction of the present writer that the broad, general answer is a clear — “No”. Those communities which claim the name “Pentecostal” are far removed from the communities pictured in the Acts of the Apostles and letters of Paul. It is easy to dismiss the matter from the mind, perhaps indulge in a little scoffing, and leave the matter there. But the easy way is not the right way. The right way demands that we know something about this problem, because it is a major problem; and if we are to witness the truth of the Gospel effectively, we must become far more aware of the problems which are generated by the “cult” of tongue-speaking which is sweeping through much of the religious world.
Many books are rolling off the religious presses arguing for and against the precepts of the modern Pentecostal movement. Many of the orthodox church leaders are uncertain and perplexed. They see their own communities losing strength, and in contrast they see the Pentecostals growing, blossoming and overflowing. Many are welcoming into their congregation those who introduce Pentecostal ideals and practices. Some soon regret this as their churches are torn asunder as many of their members sense there is something unwholesome about it and resent its intrusion.
An example of the books which reflect the uncertainty of orthodox circles is one by Douglas Webster.[1] In his preface he states “Without doubt the emphasis of the Pentecostal Churches on the Holy Spirit is a corrective gravely needed by the historic churches”; but then admits “there are serious difficulties in accepting all the Pentecostal teaching about the Spirit, more especially in regard to speaking with tongues.” He goes on to give a few facts on the phenomenal growth in the movement. In Chile, for example, it is reckoned that there are now one million Pentecostals in a population of seven and a half millions. The movement only began there in 1909! In Brazil and other parts of South America the expansion is similarly astonishing. The church feeling the greatest effect is undoubtedly the Roman Catholic Church, which for so long has completely dominated religious affairs in that Continent.
The attitude of the Catholic Church to this state of affairs is, to say the least, interesting. An American University Professor, Dr. J. Zwemer, said at a Press Conference in February this year.[2]
“Neo-Pentecostalism has jumped all the denominational barriers and is making the old religious groupings and boundary lines obsolete. Even more significant is the fact that Pentecostalism is breaking down the distinction between Catholic and Protestant. Catholic theologians are now claiming that the Pentecost experience is in harmony with classical Catholicism. A recent gathering of U.S. Catholic bishops enthusiastically endorsed the rapid growth of Pentecostalism within the Catholic Church.
A group of theologians from the different Pentecostal churches are now in Rome engaged in serious dialogue with the church. Killian McDonald, Catholic theologian, broke the startling news with an even more startling statement: ‘This has greater meaning for the Secretariat in Rome than dialogue with Lutherans, Presbyterians, or Methodists’.”
Although these facts are from non-Catholic sources the main points are confirmed from several other sources. The Writer has personally heard Pentecostal acquaintances “boasting” of their community’s accord with the Roman Catholics in recent times. It was even said that a Priest preached at their Church on one occasion. Seeing that the Pentecostals are now numerically second to the R.C.s in some countries this turn of events should not be too surprising.
But do these things have portents for the future? Is there a possibility that there will emerge a supra-religious monolith headed by Rome embracing a greatly enlarged “Christian” community stimulated by the modern Pentecostal “experience”? It is a possibility we should not ignore.
The intense pressure to conform and popularise modern-day Pentecostalism has even influenced it would seem, Dr. Billy Graham. The Australian Pentecostal Fellowship recently circulated an 8 page leaflet with his photo on the front which quoted him as saying. [3]
“Something is happening. I find all over the country and throughout the world, prayer groups springing up everywhere. There is a move of the Spirit of God. It doesn’t make the press, it is not in the headlines, but down underneath, something is happening and I believe it is of God. I wonder if one of the secrets of Pentecostalism cannot be learned by our main stream churches with the great emphasis of the Holy Spirit. The time has come to give the Holy Spirit His rightful place. WE NEED TO LEARN WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BAPTISED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT . . .”
The leaflet goes on to quote Methodist, Baptist and Anglican Clergymen who were enthusiastic for the new emphasis. But some are not so keen. Some are downright skeptical. For instance, Dr. Kurt Kochs writes
“I was told that in America, Jesuits, Lutherans, free church people, modern theologians, High Anglicans, and Mormons meet together in order to speak in tongues. They are convinced that it is true Ecumenicalism in action. This sounds fantastic. And yet I heard of a similar group in London. What a wonderful time we live in today! All schisms, all denominational barriers, age-long divisions have been overcome by the new gift of tongues! Does this really mean that what the Word of God could not accomplish, has been brought about by a psychic epidemic? Do not let us be deceived!”[4]
However, a glance in religious bookshops will reveal that publications which take this line are very much in the minority, in fact some bookshops do not stock them. The strength of the one line of thinking was made evident to us personally when on purchasing 2 or 3 of the `anti-Pentecostal’ publications, the shop assistant tried to encourage us to buy publications which were favourable so that we would not get an “unfair” view of the facts. And that was in an Anglican bookshop!
In this sort of atmosphere, what are we to do? There is a strong indication that this might be but the beginning — so it is time for us to have a most careful look at the situation. We need to guard the susceptibilities of our young people; for there is already evidence that a few have been intrigued if not influenced by the appeal of this movement. We must beware of reacting blindly and in panic. To say that the Holy Spirit does not operate today — in a blunt and unqualified way — is to unnecessarily provoke a defensive situation on our part. It portrays the Truth in an unreal light to those unfamiliar with the things we stand for.
There is evidence that here and there perplexed churchgoers, disturbed by the trends developing within their communities, are searching out other pastures. Some may well come our way. Can we help? Are we in a position to? It will be the aim of this series of articles to stimulate our thinking to that end —as well as to help us, at least in some small measure, in rethinking our efforts to uphold the light of the true Gospel in a rapidly changing religious climate.
Sources
[1] Pentecostalism And Speaking With Tongues, D. Webster, Highway Press.
[2] From A Press Release By The Thomas Bilney Society.
[3] From Page 1 And 2 Of The Leaflet “Something Is Happening”.
[4] The Strife Of Tongues, K. Koch, Page 25, Evangelization Publisher.
Is Pentecost Happening Today? (Part 7) – Tongues Shall Cease