# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S472 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT AND LUTHERAN THEOLOGY In our study, we must seek to gain a new apprecianon of the nature of conversion and the effects this divine act produces in the hearts and lives of men. It must concentrate anew on the Gospel as a source of strength. peace. and joy in the life of the Christian. It must see again the rich benefits and blessings that God bestows through the Word and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper Prayertul study needs to be given to those passages of Scripture that describe the church militant in its struggle against all the forces of evil in this world. It must be recognized anew that the kingdom of God has been inaugurated but not yet consummated In this world of sin the church will continue co exist in a state of lowliness and at times even of persecution. God does nor promise us miracles by which to escape the evils of the day. bur He does assure us of His gracious presence to the end of time (Mace, 28:19-20) and promises that the church will be preserved and will grow through Word and sacraments. It will live in the hope of an imperishable and unfading inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-9: Eph. t:1-14, Rom. 8:14-39: 2 Tim. 4:18), In this hope the Christian will find joy and peace as he endeavors to serve his Lord with the abilities and talents the Spiric gives iT Peter 1:6: te Admontsh and Encourage the Brethren. As members of Christ's body who are sincerely interested in the spirirual well-being of our brethren, we should admonish and encourage one another with love and patience. When offense is given because of conduct or doctrine that is contrary to God's Word, care should be taken that proper brotherly procedures are followed and that the rea- sons for admonition or discipline are fully understood. Christian admonition and discipline are always evangelical and have as their goal the restoration of the brother. 3. Test the Spirits Christians who are convinced chat they have received a charismatic experience should earnestly seek to evalu- ate it and determine its validity not only on the basis of personal teelings and emotions but especially in che light of God's holy Word. Followers of the Lord Jesus must take seriously the warn- ings of Scripture to “test the spirits co see whether they are of God" «1 John 4:1), lese we be led ascray into a path chat is inju- rious to our Christian faith and hope. Scripture paracularly urges Christians to test occurrences that give the appearance of being valid signs and wonders. with the reminder that in the last days false prophets wall arise who will seek to lead God's elect astray by such means. (Mart. 24:24, Mark 13.19-23, 1 Cor. 14:29) Scripture suggests various ways in which Chrisuans may test the spirits that have gone our into che world. (a) What do they say with regard to Christ? Do they steadfastly and clearly bear witness to His divine person and His work of salvation’ Do they give greater accenuon to the cross and resurrection of our Lord than to various phenomenal experiences’ 1b) What fruits do they pro- 5 Lensch, Rodney 4 Mi rar Sinuf Lutreran Pater | Baptized in tre H Cahf Wilkins Printing and Publishing. Jo cine Seima, McDonneli, Kilian Cathole Problems in Evauanng Pentecostalism Dre oo Winter 1970 35 Sa Report, and Auton 10 tre Dnt Centra! Convento (he ALG Consmpes. Obie, Lota pp Lak = Ifa Schweizer, Eduard, ang others Spintof Goo Brie Kes Wonk Vor TL Transiated trom Gerhard Kittels Trewsar he Wortertiae Zam Newer Trtement New York ang Evanston Harper & Row Sherrill, John Lo Tres Specé with Other Tongue Westaond, NY Reve i066 Stagg, Frank, E Glean Hinsun. and Wayne B Oates Goc toate Nash: Abingdon Press, 1067 yanw New Yors Wuiams. J Roaman Tre Fre of the Spirte Planned NJ Logos Internanenai, 1U7 1 The Work op the Moa Spirit: Repore of the Specias Gummurter on the Work of the Hoss Spint to the i8lnd General Assembly of the Caited Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, (970 Wunderich, Lorenz Tne Hat Aewun God Sc Lous Concordia Publishing House, 194 2 Tre Netw Penteota, Chartomate. Reviza. Seminar Refert Full Guspe. Business Mens Fellowship Internanonal, 1063, pp [= 1s 4 Frederick Dale Bruner, 4 Trent ot ine Hos § mans Publishing Go. 1970, p 84 4 Rodney Lensch. A Mi court Syria Laireren Pater dl Baptised in ire H Cat Wilkins Printing ang Publishing. 196u pb ‘ Grand Rapics Waiuam B Kees 1 Seuma. Five Factors Crucial to the Growth ang Spread ot a Modern Reauious Movement in Jura, tor the Sorentit. Studs of Reteton VI Spring Lu ox.. 40 © Ibid See alse The Wore ot the Hon Spans Report of the Specias Gummurtee on the Work of the Holy Spirit to the [é2nd General Assembls of the United Presosteriao Churci inthe United States of America. 1970, pay Final Progress Report, Glossolsna ang Mentai Health, a mimengrapheu report shared with the commission by its authors. Dr Tohn Kuldahi and Dr Pasi Quaiben Page references in parentheses ate to this report The authors report that their findings will de published in a torchcoming book enutled Gis.c cate Tre Prathe of Spee To tigie & The information in this patdgraph was proviced by a group ot Lurheran Chunk — Missour: Synod pastors invoived in the charismat. movement Thes mee with a committee utthe CTCR in St Lows on fuly LY P97 hans provised addiqonai inturmanoe in wrining Y The following statements were prepared on the basis of such Lutheran sources as hooniets, posivon papers, essays. Cape recordings, ane personal interviews It aceds te he Lnuerstood that the formulations are our own ang thar nor ail Lutheran cnarismanns neces sariiy hold all these posinons Among the Lutheran sources used on preparing this section are the folowing Christenson, Larry Tie Tone and li 8 Bethany Fellowship, Inc. 1070, espeaans op Creer Minneapeus —.. Come. Hoiv Sputit. Leste: wid Free Fane Doth Dorpat, DOM. Propheas. Preaching, aod Enthusiasm A Studs ot the Guts ot the Spieit inthe Lighe of the Lutheran Contessiins —. Luthervostais A Loon ar Some Issees in the Ghansmar Renews. trom s Lutheran Perspective Heil. Robert. 4 Parton ond Gusdeiine tor bmmanie Latreran Grane rower Concerning tre Baptiome ot ine Ho Spaeth aia He Attend nt Ge Keiiogg, John P. The Bapasm with the Hos Spine. a conference paper presented to the Midiand Circuit of the Michigan Distrwt, Api 1u68. pp 4-8 Lensch, Rodney. 4 My Sime Lutreran Pair dB. Cait) Wilhans Printing ang Publishing, Les. pp 26 Me taht re HE Tape-recorged essays trom the Lutheran (nansmaue Conterence. Mar iS i dd Concordia Seminary. St Lows. Missoor 1 DM Dorpat. Prophecy. Preaching, ans Enthusiasm. 4 mimecerapnes essay tis muted by the author, pp}, Te duce within the Christian congregation’ Do they fulfill che simple service of Christian love among the people of God’ Do they help edify the church, che body of Christ’ (c: Do they accept what the Spirit of God teaches through His prophets and apostles in Holy Scripturey Do they accept what the apostle Paul has written “as a command of the Lord’? «Cr. 1 Cor. 14.37, Nore that the apostle stares in che next verse. “If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. | 4. Edif\ the Church, The Christian will also exercise all spiritual gifts that God has given him in a spirit of love and humility, fully aware that spiritual pride or undisciplined enthusiasm may cause serious offense to the body of Christ. Recognizing that spiritual gifts may be abused. the child of God will employ the gitts that God has given him with cact and Christian love. always endeavor- ing to edify the body of Christ and to exalt the Lord 5. Know the Spirit’ The rapid and widespread growth of the charis- matic movement in our day may indicate the church's need co devote much greater attention to the work of the Holy Spirit Chrisnans today will particularly benefit from a more detailed araculation of Christ's promises regarding the Holy Spirit as these are set forth in Holy Scripeure. As the church in our age prays with new earnestness, “Come. Holy Ghost. God and Lord, Be all Thy graces now outpoured.” ir will also make every effore. Particularly in its preaching and its various programs of instruc: tion, to increase the church's awareness, understanding. and appreciation of the Holy Spint and His gifts 6. Use the Word and Sacrament:. The Lutheran Church — Missour Synod should be alert to the fact that the charismatic movement within our own as well as other church bodies did nor arise out ot a vacuum. Jn the opimon of many Christians, it has arisen to meet a pressing need within Christendom to use every resource available in the service of Christ and His church and tw claim the power that God promises us through che Holy Spiric in Word and sacraments. As we face the questions raised by the charismatic movement, we must earnestly endeavor to tensity and increase our use of Word and sacraments at every level of our existence so that the church may have a renewed sense of the yoy, peace, and power God has promised NOTES Ldn the preparanes of this document, the wommission consulted a number of boons and artivies The toiluwing were found to be part ularly helpful Bruner, Fredern& Dale 4 Theniiey ot the He pert Grand Rapigs, Mich Willam B Eerdmans Pubishine Co. 1970) Christenson, Larry Speséime in Tomeue, amd it Stemtuame tor the Chane Minneapous Dimension Booas 10% Cre tian Barth and ihe Mint try ot Heaine A statement prepares for the Church Couns and approved tor vitcslanion to coneresations of the American Lutheran Church July 10608 pp toe tS Hoekema. Anthony A Wras thou Torcae Speatine Grand Rapids Willam B Eerdmans Punlishing Gampany. So6ts 30 wi Le tare 8 Cree eg em SSS Chapters = 4 Winame oC of Larner. bore: transiates darosiay Peinan Se Louis Goncorsia Popushing House, iu opp lub lie When the prophet Isaiah tebuned the Jronaarcs ot Ephraim, thes mocked his repeated aumoninions Thereupon Isaiah warned them thar Gow would speaa te them in a forercr inoae the Assemans— Dect 2k ay When Israc. would noe austen when God spoke te them in theit 4 sangeace, God spone to them with stammering lips and ina foreiwn van gedwe Ts 2812 tris seraxing thaG immewiateis utter reterring (1 the above words of Isaiah Pan. says, Toncues are 4 sign, nor tor decevers, Dut tor ondelevers tl Gor ia cl Jowith the observation thar tongues Mas cive oursivers the UNpressiun Of mauness Pals use of Isaiah 28 appears to be a soqeestien that the Corinthian chert should be sot Gents mature vo reconmize Chat spedKing 19 TOMKGes especialy When overemphasized aS ACOMpaNied bs loveessness ang disorder yoDe a sign of Goats Gispleasure with Chestans who nave cost wonngence in the power ot the Word when procaimed in otainary Remdo .dQacace ans whee tee. that Charisma, semenstragons are more efectve Media ot the Spurl s presence ang power Theodore Enxenter # bee TO note * ar Sam de Leas Concordia Publishine House, i084 This opinion is Dated on the exvigence in sume nit the muse relabie Manuscripts. as wen as cary Latin ans Serias versions. wMiGn a tet inwwde these verses Ttas ase supported pyothe Armenian, Ethiop.an. dnd Georgian versions. as weil as fs such ears church fathers as Origen, Eusebres. ang terme . The concept ast experience of as} amare of the Amowiedae ot the trae Gud wath, HOS Got onigedy Cnristan. nor as it necessaruy the Oat Testament. 10 a8 sometimes dssoniited Joitry, WiZsTATy. fase pRophes the awe ot Deur Tsou ll fo Sam Jha. ib Kanes [419 1 bls der 2 Ho Tre tase spuries againse which Sf Paul and Saint Fohs contended were scutty that assumes the aume ot Chest bocin teats made Him ina fenta. be substituany vations expenences fur the evenr ot the cross ane resurrection as the war te the knowledge ang wisdom of Goo seed Ger aa especie bb S Soan ek kn a Ov : Luther s emphasis on the role ot che we ANOWO Dee, tor en any of erace as the iastrament ot the Spunt as e his comments on Gar 6 © ated above in IE ALS The commissain as aware that mans Lorneran charismatis share some of the con MEPS We Express in ne fobvwing parseraphs We are aiscassine these matters nor ro ampes that ai Lutheran charismatics accept the Pounts we otithaze hut Decguse the Wigespredd use treo n-Lotheran atetature ov Lutheran charismatis aS Wel dy unfortunate emphases bs some Lotmeean charismatics Stroma suagest that Were Uf cast isan order DS De Frans Pieper states that Gad Ruse ees thrown His Wong ang the Sacraments the Gespes through the Hols Ghost, ang ter ee Maintains. ane everns His church which He vreates ans preserves faith je adminstragen ot which He aves His watts the cboren dc res te De gmat Von Tost Lows Conmeorcia Ponushing House Slop ake Empmayis ac. Nrisicais Attices Min Dean Tre Bob Cone et TOG Tappert: Phos phig Fortress Press. 8 psd h De Large Catechism iV in Pee Boe oC km pp ba ad 2) Gt foemaaer Goncors, Bpaume XT ae Tee Bet Gon ne pad ee ftus nat uncer tor charismatics to Gaim thar Go speans aitectiy amd autheriea gees chrowgh charsmaty speech UE Rodman Wiuams in Tre Ere ot are Spin [Piainnesd Nol Lowos Intersatiecna. O72) torexampie stares that such speech cues bevond the sors HOSCTIptere and us not mpis some exposimen ot Sonpture. tor the Spire as the ising Get moves throweh ang Devone the reconds of fase witness, however taluable such records ate gs Model tur what happens todas polo He notes that those witted os the Spine notonts eMeig mysteries aneat the wars ot God bur mas alse provide a ford of guidance in foonom. soual et poutieas afurs poll He deseribes prophesy as the vers Word ut Geog with the same Thus says the Lord character as the words of Isaiah or Jeremiah pages Iho -9 He acknomiedges that there must be a weighing of things Said and stares that such SHeMentis te De carne out bs the Spiriteal commenin op 22 of asunute spp 2u = 30 Desh staremenrs are thot fr recuncne with the Lotheran posiden that the Holy Scripteres are the omy rae an. em for Christian faith and ite In cus Connection. it shosig be goted thar the Serptures provide an basis tur the neon that te ongoing Christian community, because unas the Hols Spirit.isan inspired source mtodiaine teth in adsigen to the prophets ang apostoi Soriptures Such a view in fact Tedaves The gether tof tne Soriptures by exaiuse the authority ot the chon h 457