LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 457

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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