a distorted message

In reading various bits and pieces on the Internet, and having a lot of contact with non-Catholics, through a couple of forums, I have become aware of a certain “phenomenon” sweeping a certain ’church’ fellowship in the USA. I am not going to name either the ‘church’, or the person leading this so-called “revival”, because I wish to look at the wider issue, and not focus solely on one person. I also don’t want their name to come up in a search engine leading to my blog! Any comments containing these names will go into a moderation queue. 

Basically, what is happening, is that many are claiming that certain “signs and wonders” emanating from this particular church are signalling a “revival” and a “fresh outpouring” of the Holy Spirit. I am putting these terms in asterisks, as they are oft-used, stock phrases in certain quarters of the Protestant church…but what do they really mean? Unfortunately, as in this case, revival is distinctly charismatic, and involving much falling over, speaking/shouting in tongues, crying, swaying, staggering, moaning, lying on the floor and even barking like a dog. This, apparently, is how some believe we behave when the Holy Spirit pours out the “fire”. Even more unfortunately, this particular manifestation also comes with some distinctly dodgy teaching about “angel spirits” amongst other things, and a lot of pushing and even kicking people to the ground. There is very little Scriptural background or teaching, and the atmosphere is one of barely ordered chaos and confusion. And of course, one very forceful, charismatic leader.

In the Bible, God warns His people of false teachings/teachers. There have been plenty! There have been many so-called revivals, too…not all bearing fruit that lasts, or indeed any fruit at all. Most of these have originated in the Pentecostal branch of the Protestant church. Without going into detail or wanting to tar every Pentecostal church with the same brush, my own dealings with them were disconcerting at best and damaging at worst. The focus on spectacular healing and emotional worship too often covers up a lack of teaching and understanding of theology underneath. I left the Elim church with my faith battered and bruised, and spent a year in no church at all, trying to draw together the tattered remnants of my faith. Thankfully, God led me to the Catholic Church through that experience, and I am home at last.

The Catholic Church itself has been prey to false teachings at certain times and has had her fair share of heretics over the years. Even now, there are groups within Catholicism which go against the teachings of the Pope, advocate the use of contraceptives, and set up their own renegade women Priests (eg the RCWP & Joan Chittister). Thankfully, the RC Church has the means, in extreme circumstances, to excommunicate such groups, but Protestantism is in many ways a free-for-all, as more and more Churches split and more and more denominations-within-denominations form, each interpreting Scripture in a way which endorses their point of view, each moving further away from the truth. This revival in the USA will arrive here (and already has, in some areas), and people we know will possibly be affected. Within the Catholic Church, there is the safety of Scripture,  Catholic tradition and teaching and the Magesterium, but not all branches of Christianity have the benefit of sound teaching, or stable foundations. Much prayer is needed.

My prayer is always that people will be drawn to the Catholic faith! That is true revival!