Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/71

Contributor - S. Vandermolen

Title - Reaction to Pentecostalism The Crux of The Matter As I See It

Topic - Holy Spirit

Because I believe in religious freedom for the individual, I have made it a point to engage in relatively meaningful dialogue with individuals and groups of individuals associated with the "Pentecostal" movement in the past few years. I must say that I respect and have great admiration for those who have finally found that which they have been seeking for decades. However, I feel somewhat compelled to question their convictions, in terms of their validity and role in the church community. This does not automatically mean, however, that I deny their convictions to be real; it just means that I fail to see the real or beneficial purpose or value towards our church community.

In my most recent discussions with some of those who claimed they have been "born again" and/ or "of the Spirit" the most stunning comments thrown my way were "Your wife's got it, but you haven't". Surprised as I was, needless to say, I questioned the individual immediately as to what he based that on. His answer, as I would have guessed, was something to this effect. "You aren't filled with the 'Joy of the Holy Spirit'." Again I answered, "How do you know?" The individual then made an effort to explain to me the outstanding gifts of the Holy Spirit by which all of the true believers may be recognized, (i.e., speaking in tongues, prophesying, etc.).

To assume that many of us are so-called "second class" Christians on this basis, in my opinion, is truly a dangerous accusation. To say that this is only the opinion of one individual is doubtful. Mr. J. Hoed in his article makes it quite clear and I quote "But the trouble is really different. When you receive the Lord in your life, you are filled with joy. And that you want to share. And with whom else but those who did not receive this." Now am I not correct in saying then that if I am approached and questioned by this someone "filled with the joy of the Spirit", that this action in fact assumes that the person being talked to has not received the Lord in his life, Who or how does one decide that a certain individual has the Lord in his life? Well the answer appears quite obvious, as again I quote from Mr. Hoed's article. "But we can believe Paul when he states in 1 Cor. 2 :9-16 that the Spirit we received is the Spirit of Christ and therefore will be able to discern what is from God and what is not." Therefore I can assume too I believe that if I differ with any of the "group" it is necessarily not of Christ. This to me is quite an irrational and detrimental illusion founded upon wishful thinking, rather than the search for "Truth".

Before I elaborate on this point I might as well make several other observations. I had the opportunity to attend several of the prayer meetings instituted by the "group and I use this term only for brevity's sake. During the course of our prayers several of, its embers began "speaking in tongues", an action which in itself doesn't annoy me. However to an outsider" who "hasn't got it" as they say it, it is perceived as a meaningless and confusing happening. To say that this action was nonsensical would be a rash judgement on my part, as it apparently involves and strengthens the relationship of the individual and the Holy Spirit and no one else. However I find it rather odd that if this type of communication serves an individual purpose, the closet or bedroom ought not to become the most beneficial place where this ought to take place, as in a group it tends to be chaotic and does nothing to strengthen the faith of the group as a whole.

Now when I discuss any of the above issues with any of the "group" members, the answers that seem common with all members is "that I haven't experienced it and therefore don't understand it and shouldn't even be discussing it". Well I haven't had a baby either, but I think I can feel with my wife the experience she has gone through or is going through at the time of the baby's birth. To them, it seems obvious that one does not question the issues, and that people not committed to this experience have no right to question anything related to their experiences.

What is it then they've got that I haven't apparently got, and if, indeed I haven't got it, do I want it? For my observation thus far I would conclude that I have the same thing that they have, (i.e. life in Christ, the Holy Spirit being my guide), the difference being its outward expression. For me it came quietly and slowly. I don't know when it began, I just know that Christ means more to me now than ever before. I have had many encounters with my Lord, not , just one. It's a continuous communication, not necessarily one m particular which made an "about face" impression upon me. It doesn't have to be an exciting and emotional moment necessarily. I must agree with Mrs. June Farowe in last month's issue when she wrote that "Salvation is but the beginning, Growing into a mature person in the Lord is the rest of the story". It does not have to be a "new birth", in which one ejects the old and accepts a totally new. It's a gradual maturation in Spiritual growth that never reaches its ultimate until one is totally committed to Christ and then one lives a heavenly or perfect life which no one has yet experienced, as I see it. Rev. Kroon in his article attributes these differences to the needs of the individual with which I fully agree.

Another point that I wish to make is the approach used by the group in wishing to "share their ideas" with others. Doesn't it seem strange that if what they've received is from the Holy Spirit a method of communicating this to the outside world was neglected? I don't mean to be facetious about this, but you would think that some direction would have been given as to how this experience should be communicated to the so-called Christians who too have experienced the Holy Spirit in their hearts. I would think also that if these people are sincere, and convinced that these gifts are truly essential, they would make every effort to stay within their church community and attempt cautiously and carefully to induce that feeling within the rest of its members instead of breaking away from them. This takes time, but then you don't give a little infant a knife, turn away from him, without I giving instructions as to how to use it. The result should be obvious if this in fact was done. The child would cut himself possibly bleed to death and the whole family would be disrupted, tg say the least. Ought one to play crown the fruits of the Spirit, love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5 :22) which too are a sign of the Holy Spirit working within our hearts? Peace, love, kindness in this connection I feel refer to peace, love, kindness among members of the church. In a church where all members treat one another right, and are at peace among themselves, there is joy , the Holy Spirit. And the one who promotes such conditions in a church is well pleasing to God and is approved by all "right thinking people". To walk away from the issues does not solve a thing, it just creates turmoil and friction among its confessed members. Of course if one -assumes that those of the present church are not of the same Christ as themselves we have a complete break down of communication, which would then necessitate a split within the church. But who is to say who is right or to put it another way, who's to say they've got it, and we haven't? I guess what I'm trying to say here is that when you've got something now that you didn't have before. Great! but don't try to tell me or assume that I haven't got the same thing and should go looking for it.

I find it personally difficult to communicate with the "group" intolerance and narrow mindedness appear to be essential ingredients to their convictions. So therefore even though Rev. Kroon might suggest that some meaningful dialogue should take place to iron out our differences, it seems difficult to perceive that anything fruitful will come out of it unless intolerance and narrow-mindedness, as well as sarcasm and cynicism on the other side, is omitted completely in any further dialogue on the subject. The communication thus far may be compared to a young sapling with countless green leaves. As we pluck off the leaves, the tree will eventually wither away and die. Is this what the "group" wants? What guarantee does the group have that in the process of disrupting the unity of the church (i.e. growth of the tree) it does not in fact also break down (i.e. cause to wither away some of the real Christians who are all part of that same total community (i.e., whole tree)?

Let me say one more thing in conclusion, I believe that what the "group" has I've got except that I use it differently than they do to suit my needs. It's what you do with it that constitutes the difference, and it's not a question that some have it,. and others don't. If you say that you really don't know what you're talking about, in my opinion my wife and I are still trying to figure out what she's got that I haven't got.

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