Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 48

CharismaticRevivalAsaSignoftheTimes

byHieromonkSeraphimRoseofPlatina

"COSTADEIRTOOKTHEMIKEandtoldushowhisheartwasburdenedfor theGreekOrthodoxChurch.HeaskedEpiscopalianFatherDriscolltopray thattheHolySpiritwouldsweepthatChurchasHewassweepingthe CatholicChurch.WhileFatherDriscollprayed,CostaDeirweptintothe mike.Followingtheprayerwasalongmessageintonguesandanequally longinterpretationsayingthattheprayershadbeenheardandtheHoly SpiritwouldblowthroughandawakentheGreekOrthodoxChurch.Bythis timetherewassomuchweepingandcallingoutthatIbackedawayfromit allemotionally...YetIheardmyselfsayingasurprisingthing,'Someday whenwereadhowtheSpiritismovingintheGreekOrthodoxChurch,letus rememberthatwewereherethemomentthatitbegan'"[1]. Sixmonthsaftertheeventheredescribedoccurredataninterdenominational "charismatic"meetinginSeattle,OrthodoxChristiansdidindeedbeginto hearthatthe"charismaticspirit"wasmovingintheGreekOrthodoxChurch. BeginninginJanuary,1972,Fr.EusebiusStephanou'sLogosbegantoreport onthismovement,whichhadbegunearlierinseveralGreekandSyrian parishesinAmericaandnowhasspreadtoanumberofothers,being activelypromotedbyFr.Eusebius.Afterthereaderhasreadthedescription ofthis"spirit"fromthewordsofitsleadingrepresentativesinthepagesthat follow,heshouldnotfinditdifficulttobelievethatinveryfactitwasevoked andinstilledintotheOrthodoxworldbyjustsuchurgententreatiesof "interdenominationalChristians."Forifoneconclusionemergesfromthis description,itmustcertainlybethatthespectacularpresentday"charismatic revival"isnotmerelyaphenomenonofhyperemotionalismandProtestant revivalismalthoughtheseelementsarealsostronglypresentbutisactually theworkofa"spirit"whocanbeinvokedandwhoworks"miracles." Thequestionweshallattempttoanswerinthesepagesis:whatorwhoisthis spirit?AsOrthodoxChristiansweknowthatitisnotonlyGodWhoworks miracles;thedevilhashisown"miracles,"andinfacthecananddoesimitate virtuallyeverygenuinemiracleofGod.Weshallthereforeattemptinthese pagestobecarefulto"trythespirits,whethertheyareofGod"(1John4:1).We shallbeginwithabriefhistoricalbackground,sincenoonecandenythatthe "charismaticrevival"hascometotheOrthodoxworldfromtheProtestant andCatholicdenominations,whichinturnreceiveditfromthePentecostal sects.

ThePentecostalMovement

THEMODERNPENTECOSTALMOVEMENT,althoughitdidhave19th centuryantecedents,datesitsoriginpreciselyto7:00p.m.onNewYear'sEve oftheyear1900.ForsometimebeforethatmomentaMethodistministerin Topeka,Kansas,CharlesParham,asananswertotheconfessedfeeblenessof hisChristianministry,hadbeenconcentratedlystudyingtheNewTestament withagroupofhisstudentswiththeaimofdiscoveringthesecretofthe powerofApostolicChristianity.Thestudentsfinallydeducedthatthissecret layinthe"speakingintongues"which,theythought,alwaysaccompanied thereceptionoftheHolySpiritintheActsoftheApostles.Withincreasing excitementandtension,Parhamandhisstudentsresolvedtoprayuntilthey themselvesreceivedthe"BaptismoftheHolySpirit"togetherwithspeaking intongues.OnDecember31,1900,theyprayedfrommorningtonightwith nosuccess,untiloneyounggirlsuggestedthatoneingredientwasmissingin thisexperiment:"layingonofhands."Parhamputhishandsonthegirl's head,andimmediatelyshebegantospeakinan"unknowntongue."Within threedaysthereweremanysuch"Baptisms,"includingthatofParham himselfandtwelveotherministersofvariousdenominations,andallofthem wereaccompaniedbyspeakingintongues.SoontherevivalspreadtoTexas, andthenithadspectacularsuccessatasmallBlackchurchinLosAngeles. Sincethenithasspreadthroughouttheworldandclaimstenmillion members. ForhalfacenturythePentecostalMovementremainedsectarianand everywhereitwasreceivedwithhostilitybytheestablisheddenominations. Then,however,speakingintonguesbegangraduallytoappearinthe denominationsthemselves,althoughatfirstitwaskeptratherquiet,untilin 1960anEpiscopalianpriestnearLosAngelesgavewidepublicitytothisfact bypubliclydeclaringthathehadreceivedthe"BaptismoftheHolySpirit" andspokeintongues.Aftersomeinitialhostility,the"charismaticrevival" gainedtheofficialorunofficialapprovalofallthemajordenominationsand hasspreadrapidlybothinAmericaandabroad.Eventheoncerigidand exclusivistRomanCatholicChurch,onceittookupthe"charismaticrenewal" inearnestinthelate1960's,hasbeenenthusiasticallysweptupinthis movement.InAmerica,theRomanCatholicbishopsgavetheirapprovalto themovementinl969,andthefewthousandCatholicsinvolvedinitthen havesinceincreasedtountoldhundredsofthousands,whogather periodicallyinlocalandnationwide"charismatic"conferenceswhose participantsaresometimesnumberedinthetensofthousands.TheRoman CatholiccountriesofEuropehavealsobecomeenthusiastically"charismatic,"

aswitnessedbythe"charismatic"conferenceintheSummer,1978,inIreland, attendedbythousandsofIrishpriests.NotlongbeforehisdeathPopePaul VImetwithadelegationof"charismatics"andproclaimedthathetooisa pentecostal. Whatcanbethereasonforsuchaspectacularsuccessofa"Christian"revival inaseemingly"postChristian"world?Doubtlesstheanswerliesintwo factors:first,thereceptivegroundwhichconsistsofthosemillionsof "Christians"whofeelthattheirreligionisdry,overrational,merelyexternal, withoutfervencyorpower;andsecond,theevidentlypowerful"spirit"that liesbehindthephenomena,whichiscapable,undertheproperconditions,of producingamultitudeandvarietyof"charismatic"phenomena,including healing,speakingintongues,interpretation,prophecyand,underlyingallof these,anoverwhelmingexperiencewhichiscalledthe"Baptismof(orin,or with)theHolySpirit." Butwhatpreciselyisthis"spirit"?Significantly,thisquestionisseldomifever evenraisedbyfollowersofthe"charismaticrevival";theirown"baptismal" experienceissopowerfulandhasbe3enprecededbysuchaneffective psychologicalpreparationintheformofconcentratedprayerandexpectation thatthereisneveranydoubtintheirmindsbutthattheyhavereceivedthe HolySpiritandthatthephenomenatheyhaveexperiencedandseenare exactlythosedescribedintheActsoftheApostles.Too,thepsychological atmosphereofthemovementisoftensoonesidedandtensethatitis regardedastheveryblasphemyagainsttheHolySpirittoentertainany doubtsinthisregard.Ofthehundredsofbooksthathavealreadyappeared onthemovement,onlyaveryfewexpressanyevenslightdoubtsastoits spiritualvalidity. Inordertoobtainabetterideaofthedistinctivecharacteristicsofthe "charismaticrevival,"letusexaminesomeofthetestimoniesandpracticesof itsparticipants,alwayscheckingthemagainstthestandardofHoly Orthodoxy.Thesetestimonieswillbetaken,withafewexceptionsasnoted, fromtheapologeticalbooksandmagazinesofthemovement,writtenby peoplewhoarefavorabletoitandwhoobviouslypublishonlythatmaterial whichseemstosupporttheirposition.Further,weshallmakeonlyminimal useofnarrowlyPentecostalsources,confiningourselveschieflytoProtestant, Catholic,andOrthodoxparticipantsinthecontemporary"charismatic revival."

The"Ecumenical"Spiritofthe"CharismaticRevival"

BEFOREQUOTINGTHE"CHARISMATIC"testimonies,weshouldtakenote

ofachiefcharacteristicoftheoriginalPentecostalMovementwhichisseldom mentionedby"charismatic"writers,andthatisthatthenumberandvariety ofPentecostalsectsisastonishing,eachwithitsowndoctrinalemphasis,and manyofthemhavingnofellowshipwiththeothers.Thereare"Assembliesof God,""ChurchesofGod,""Pentecostal"and"Holiness"bodies,"FullGospel" groups,etc.,manyofthemdividedintosmallersects.Thefirstthingthatone wouldhavetosayaboutthe"spirit"thatinspiressuchanarchyisthatit certainlyisnotaspiritofunity,insharpcontrasttotheApostolicchurchof thefirstcenturytowhichthemovementprofessestobereturning. Nevertheless,thereismuchtalkespeciallyinthe"charismaticrevival"within thedenominationsinthepastdecade,ofthe"unity"whichitinspires.But whatkindofunityisthis?thetrueunityoftheChurchwhichOrthodox Christiansofthefirstandtwentiethcenturiesalikeknow,orthepseudounity oftheEcumenicalMovementwhichdeniesthattheChurchofChristexists? Theanswertothisquestionisstatedquiteclearlybyperhapstheleading "prophet"of20thcenturyPentecostalismDavidDuPlessis,whoforthelast twentyyearshasbeenactivelyspreadingnewsofthe"BaptismoftheHoly Spirit"amongthedenominationsoftheWorldCouncilofChurches,in answertoa"voice"whichcommandedhimtodosoin1951."ThePentecostal revivalwithinthechurchesisgatheringforceandspeed.Themost remarkablethingisthatthisrevivalisfoundinthesocalledliberalsocieties andmuchlessintheevangelicalandnotatallinthefundamentalist segmentsofProtestantism.Thelastmentionedarenowthemostvehement opponentsofthisgloriousrevivalbecauseitisinthePentecostalMovement andinthemodernistWorldCouncilMovementsthatwefindthemost powerfulmanifestationsoftheSpirit"(DuPlessis,p.28,[2]). IntheRomanCatholicChurchlikewise,the"charismaticrenewal"is occurringpreciselyin"liberal"circles,andoneofitsresultsistoinspireeven moretheirecumenismandliturgicalexperimentation("guitarmasses"and thelike);whereastraditionalistCatholicsareasopposedtothemovementas arefundamentalistProtestants.Withoutanydoubttheorientationofthe "charismaticrevival"isstronglyecumenist.A"charismatic"Lutheranpastor, ClarenceFinsaas,writes:"ManyaresurprisedthattheHolySpiritcanmove alsointhevarioustraditionsofthehistoricChurch...whetherthechurch doctrinehasabackgroundofCalvinismorArminianism,thismatterslittle, provingGodisbiggerthanourcreedsandthatnodenominationhasa monopolyonHim"(Christenson,p.99).AnEpiscopalianpastor,speakingof the"charismaticrevival,"reportsthat"ecumenicallyitisleadingtoa remarkablejoiningtogetherofChristiansofdifferenttraditions,mainlyatthe

localchurchlevel"(Harper,p.17).TheCalifornia"charismatic"periodical InterChurchRenewalisfullof"unity"demonstrationssuchasthisone:"The darknessoftheageswasdispelledandaRomanCatholicnunanda Protestantcouldloveeachotherwithastrangenewkindoflove,"which provesthat"olddenominationalbarriersarecrumbling.Superficialdoctrinal differencesarebeingputasideforallbelieverstocomeintotheunityofthe HolySpirit."TheOrthodoxpriestFr.EusebiusStephanoubelievesthat"this outpouringoftheHolySpiritistranscendingdenominationallines...The SpiritofGodismoving...bothinsideandoutsidetheOrthodoxChurch" (Logos,Jan.,1972,p.12). HeretheOrthodoxChristianwhoisalertto"trythespirits"findshimselfon familiarground,sownwiththeusualecumenistcliches.Andaboveallletus notethatthisnew"outpouringoftheHolySpirit,"exactlyliketheEcumenical Movementitself,arisesoutsidetheOrthodoxChurch;thosefewOrthodox parishesthatarenowtakingitupareobviouslyfollowingafashionofthe timesthatmaturedcompletelyoutsidetheboundsoftheChurchofChrist. ButwhatisitthatthoseoutsidetheChurchofChristarecapableofteaching OrthodoxChristians?Itiscertainlytrue(noconsciousOrthodoxpersonwill denyit)thatOrthodoxChristiansaresometimesputtoshamebythefervor andzealofsomeRomanCatholicsandProtestantsforchurchattendance, missionaryactivities,prayingtogether,readingtheScripture,andthelike. FerventnonOrthodoxpersonscanshametheOrthodox,evenintheerrorof theirbeliefs,whentheymakemoreefforttopleaseGodthanmanyOrthodox peopledowhilepossessingthewholefullnessofapostolicChristianity.The Orthodoxwoulddowelltolearnfromthemandwakeuptothespiritual richesintheirownChurchwhichtheyfailtoseeoutofspiritualslothorbad habits.Allthisrelatestothehumansideoffaith,tothehumaneffortswhich canbeexpendedinreligiousactivitieswhetherone'sbeliefisrightorwrong. The"charismatic"movement,however,claimstobeincontactwithGod,to havefoundameansforreceivingtheHolySpirit,theoutpouringofGod's grace.AndyetitispreciselytheChurch,andnothingelse,thatourLord JesusChristestablishedasthemeansofcommunicatinggracetomen.Arewe tobelievethattheChurchisnowtobesupersededbysome"newrevelation" capableoftransmittinggraceoutsidetheChurch,amonganygroupofpeople whomayhappentobelieveinChristbutwhohavenoknowledgeor experienceoftheMysteries(Sacraments)whichChristinstitutedandno contactwiththeApostlesandtheirsuccessorswhomHeappointedto administertheMysteries?No:itisascertaintodayasitwasinthefirst

centurythatthegiftsoftheHolySpiritarenotrevealedinthoseoutsidethe Church.ThegreatOrthodoxFatherofthe19thcentury,BishopTheophanthe Recluse,writesthatthegiftoftheHolySpiritisgiven"preciselythroughthe SacramentofChrismation,whichwasintroducedbytheApostlesinplaceof thelayingonofhands"(whichistheformtheSacramenttakesintheActsof theApostles)."Weallwhohavebeenbaptizedandchrismatedhavethegift oftheHolySpirit...eventhoughitisnotactiveineveryone."TheOrthodox Churchprovidesthemeansformakingthisgiftactive,and"thereisnoother path...WithouttheSacramentofChrismation,justasearlierwithoutthe layingonofhandsoftheApostles,theHolySpirithasneverdescendedand neverwilldescend"[3]. Inaword,theorientationofthe"charismaticrevival"maybedescribedas oneofanewanddeeperor"spiritual"ecumenism:eachChristian"renewed" inhisowntradition,butatthesametimestrangelyunitedforitisthesame experiencewithothersequally"renewed"intheirowntraditions,allofwhich containvariousdegreesofheresyandimpiety!Thisrelativismleadsalsoto opennesstocompletelynewreligiouspractices,aswhenanOrthodoxpriest allowslaymento"layhands"onhiminfrontoftheRoyalDoorsofan Orthodoxchurch(Logos,April,1972,p.4). TheendofallthisisthesuperecumenistvisionoftheleadingPentecostal "prophet,"whosaysthatmanyPentecostals"begantovisualizethepossibility oftheMovementbecomingtheChurchofChristintheclosingdaysoftime. However,thissituationhascompletelychangedduringthepasttenyears. ManyofmybrethrenarenowconvincedthattheLordJesusChrist,thehead oftheChurch,willpouroutHisSpirituponallfleshandthatthehistoric churcheswillberevivedorrenewedandtheninthisrenewalbeunitedby theHolySpirit"(DuPlessis,p.33).Clearly,thereisnoroominthe "charismaticrevival"forthosewhobelievethattheOrthodoxChurchisthe ChurchofChrist.ItisnowonderthatevensomeOrthodoxPentecostals admitthatinthebeginningtheywere"suspiciousoftheOrthodoxy"ofthis movement(Logos,April,1972,p.9). Butnowletusbegintolookbeyondtheecumenistictheoriesandpracticesof Pentecostalismtothatwhichreallyinspiresandgivesstrengthtothe "charismaticrevival":theactualexperienceofthepowerofthe"spirit."

"SpeakinginTongues"

IFWELOOKCAREFULLYatthewritingsofthe"charismaticrevival,"we shallfindthatthismovementcloselyresemblesmanysectarianmovements ofthepastinbasingitselfprimarilyorevenentirelyononeratherbizarre

doctrinalemphasisorreligiouspractice.Theonlydifferenceisthatthe emphasisnowisplacedonaspecificpointwhichnosectariansinthepast regardedassocentral:speakingintongues. AccordingtotheconstitutionofvariousPentecostalsects,"TheBaptismof believersintheHolyGhostiswitnessedbytheinitialphysicalsignof speakingwithothertongues"(Sherrill,p.79).Andnotonlyisthisthefirst signofconversiontoaPentecostalsectororientation:accordingtothebest Pentecostalauthorities,thispracticemustbecontinuedorthe"Spirit"maybe lost.WritesDavidDuPlessis:"Thepracticeofprayingintonguesshould continueandincreaseinthelivesofthosewhoarebaptizedintheSpirit, otherwisetheymayfindthattheothermanifestationsoftheSpiritcome seldomorstopaltogether"(DuPlessis,p.89).Manytestify,asdoesone Protestant,thattongues"havenowbecomeanessentialaccompanimentof mydevotionallife"(Lillie,p.50).AndaRomanCatholicbookonthesubject, morecautiously,saysthatofthe"giftsoftheHolySpirit"tongues"isoften butnotalwaysthefirstreceived.Formanyitisthusathresholdthrough whichonepassesintotherealmofthegiftsandfruitsoftheHolySpirit" (Ranaghan,p.19). Herealreadyonemaynoteanoveremphasisthatiscertainlynotpresentin theNewTestament,wherespeakingintongueshasadecidedlyminor significance,servingasasignofthedescentoftheHolySpiritontheDayof Pentecost(Acts2)andontwootheroccasions(Acts10and19).Afterthefirst orperhapsthesecondcenturythereisnorecordofitinanyOrthodoxsource, anditisnotrecordedasoccurringevenamongthegreatFathersofthe Egyptiandesert,whoweresofilledwiththeSpiritofGodthatthey performednumerousastonishingmiracles,includingraisingthedead.The Orthodoxattitudetogenuinespeakingintongues,then,maybesummedup inthewordsofBlessedAugustine(HomiliesonJohn,VI:10):"Intheearliest times"theHolySpiritfelluponthemthatbelieved,andtheyspakewithtongues" whichtheyhadnotlearned,"astheSpiritgavethemutterance."Thesewere signsadaptedtothetime.ForitwasfittingthattherebethissignoftheHoly SpiritinalltonguestoshowthattheGospelofGodwastorunthroughall tonguesoverthewholeearth.Thatwasdoneforasign,anditpassedaway." AndasiftoanswercontemporaryPentecostalswiththeirstrangeemphasis onthispoint,Augustinecontinues:"Isitnowexpectedthattheyuponwhom handsarelaid,shouldspeakwithtongues?Orwhenweimposedourhand uponthesechildren,dideachofyouwaittoseewhethertheywouldspeak withtongues?Andwhenhesawthattheydidnotspeakwithtongues,was anyofyousoperverseofheartastosay,'ThesehavenotreceivedtheHoly

Spirit'?" ModernPentecostals,tojustifytheiruseoftongues,refermostofalltoSt. Paul'sFirstEpistletotheCorinthians(chs.1214).ButSt.Paulwrotethis passagepreciselybecause'tongues'hadbecomeasourceofdisorderinthe ChurchofCorinth;andevenwhilehedoesnotforbidthem,hedecidedly minimizestheirsignificance.Thispassage,therefore,farfromencouraging anymodernrevivalof"tongues,"shouldonthecontrarydiscourage itespeciallywhenonediscovers(asPentecostalsthemselvesadmit)thatthere areothersourcesofspeakingintonguesbesidestheHolySpirit!AsOrthodox ChristianswealreadyknowthatspeakingintonguesasatruegiftoftheHoly SpiritcannotappearamongthoseoutsidetheChurchofChrist;butletus lookmorecloselyatthismodernphenomenonandseeifitpossesses characteristicsthatmightrevealfromwhatsourceitdoescome. Ifwearealreadymadesuspiciousbytheexaggeratedimportanceaccordedto "tongues"bymodernPentecostals,weshouldbecompletelyawakenedabout themwhenweexaminethecircumstancesinwhichtheyoccur. Farfrombeinggivenfreelyandspontaneously,withoutman'sinterference asarethetruegiftsoftheHolySpiritspeakingintonguescanbecausedto occurquitepredictablybyaregulartechniqueofconcentratedgroup"prayer" accompaniedbypsychologicallysuggestiveProtestanthymns("Hecomes! Hecomes!"),culminatingina"layingonofhands,"andsometimesinvolving suchpurelyphysicaleffortsasrepeatingagivenphraseoverandoveragain (Koch,p.24),orjustmakingsoundswiththemouth.Onepersonadmitsthat, likemanyothers,afterspeakingintongues,"Ioftendidmouthnonsense syllablesinanefforttostarttheflowofprayerintongues"(Sherrill,p.127); andsuchefforts,farfrombeingdiscouraged,areactuallyadvocatedby Pentecostals."Makingsoundswiththemouthisnot'speakingintongues,' butitmaysignifyanhonestactoffaith,whichtheHolySpiritwillhonorby givingthatpersonthepowertospeakinanotherlanguage"(Harper,p.11). AnotherProtestantpastorsays:"Theinitialhurdletospeakingintongues,it seems,issimplytherealizationthatyoumust'speakforth'...Thefirstsyllables andwordsmaysoundstrangetoyourear...Theymaybehaltingand inarticulate.Youmayhavethethoughtthatyouarejustmakingitup.Butas youcontinuetospeakinfaith...theSpiritwillshapeforyoualanguageof prayerandpraise"(Christenson,p.130).AJesuit"theologian"tellshowhe putsuchadviceintopractice:"AfterbreakfastIfeltalmostphysicallydrawn tothechapelwhereIsatdowntopray.FollowingJim'sdescriptionofhis ownreceptionofthegiftoftongues,Ibegantosayquietlytomyself"la,la,la,

la."Tomyimmenseconsternationthereensuedarapidmovementoftongue andlipsaccompaniedbyatremendousfeelingofinnerdevotion"(Gelpi,p. 1). CananysoberOrthodoxChristianpossiblyconfusethesedangerouspsychic gameswiththegiftsoftheHolySpirit?!Thereisclearlynothingwhatever Christian,nothingspiritualhereintheleast.Thisistherealm,rather,of psychicmechanismswhichcanbesetinoperationbymeansofdefinite psychologicalorphysicaltechniques,and"speakingintongues"wouldseem tooccupyakeyroleasakindof"trigger"inthisrealm.Inanycase,it certainlybearsnoresemblancewhatevertothespiritualgiftdescribedinthe NewTestament,andifanythingismuchclosertoshaministic"speakingin tongues"aspracticedinprimitivereligions,wheretheshamanorwitch doctorhasaregulartechniqueforgoingintoatranceandthengivinga messagetoorfroma"god"inatonguehehasnotlearned[4]. Inthepagesthatfollowweshallencounter"charismatic"experiencesso weirdthatthecomparisonwithshamanismwillnotseemterriblyfarfetched, especiallyifweunderstandthatprimitiveshamanismisbutaparticular expressionofa"religious"phenomenonwhich,farfrombeingforeigntothe modernWest,actuallyplaysasignificantroleinthelivesofsome contemporary"Christians:"mediumism.

"Christian"Mediumism

ONECAREFULANDOBJECTIVEstudyof"speakingintongues"hasbeen madebytheGermanLutheranpastor,Dr.KurtKoch(TheStrifeofTongues). Afterexamininghundredsofexamplesofthis"gift"asmanifestedinthepast fewyears,hecametotheconclusion,onScripturalgrounds,thatonlyfourof thesecasesmightbethesameasthegiftdescribedintheActsoftheApostles; buthewasnotsureofanyofthem.TheOrthodoxChristian,havingthefull patristictraditionoftheChurchofChristbehindhim,wouldbemorestrictin hisjudgmentthanDr.Koch.Asagainstthesefewpossiblypositivecases, however,Dr.Kochfoundanumberofcasesofundoubteddemonic possessionfor"speakingintongues"isinfactacommon"gift"ofthe possessed.ButitisinDr.Koch'sfinalconclusionthatwefindwhatisperhaps thecluetothewholemovement.Heconcludesthatthe"tongues"movement isnotatalla"revival,"forthereisinitlittlerepentanceorconvictionofsin, butchieflythesearchforpowerandexperience;thephenomenonoftongues isnotthegiftdescribedintheActs,norisit(inmostcases)actualdemonic possession;rather,"itbecomesmoreandmoreclearthatperhapsover95%of thewholetonguesmovementismediumisticincharacter"(Koch,p.35).

Whatisa"medium"?Amediumisapersonwithacertainpsychicsensitivity whichenableshimtobethevehicleormeansforthemanifestationofunseen forcesorbeings(whereactualbeingsareinvolved,asStaretsAmbroseof Optinahasclearlystated[5],thesearealwaysthefallenspiritswhoserealm thisis,andnotthe"spiritsofthedead"imaginedbyspiritists).Almostall nonChristianreligionsmakelargeuseofmediumisticgifts,suchas clairvoyance,hypnosis,"miraculous"healing,theappearanceand disappearanceofobjectsaswellastheirmovementfromplacetoplace,etc. Itshouldbenotedthatseveralsimilargiftshavealsobeenpossessedby OrthodoxSaintsbutthereisanimmensedifferencebetweenthetrue Christiangiftanditsmediumisticimitation.ThetrueChristiangiftofhealing, forexample,isgivenbyGoddirectlyinanswertoferventprayer,and especiallyattheprayerofamanwhoisparticularlypleasingtoGod,a righteousmanorsaint(James5:16),andalsothroughcontactinfaithwith objectsthathavebeensanctifiedbyGod(holywater,reliesofsaints,etc.;see Acts19:12;2Kings13:21).Butmediumistichealing,likeanyother mediumisticgift,isaccomplishedbymeansofcertaindefinitetechniquesand psychicstateswhichcanbecultivatedandbroughtintousebypractice,and whichhavenorelationwhatevereithertosanctityortotheactionofGod. Themediumisticabilitymaybeacquiredeitherbyinheritanceorby transferencethroughcontactwithsomeonewhohasthegift,oreventhrough thereadingofoccultbooks[6]. Manymediumsclaimthattheirpowersarenotatallsupernatural,butcome fromapartofnatureaboutwhichverylittleisknown.Tosomeextentthisis doubtlesstrue;butitisalsotruethattherealmfromwhichthesegiftscomeis thespecialrealmofthefallenspirits,whodonothesitatetousethe opportunityaffordedbythepeoplewhoenterthisrealmtodrawtheminto theirownnets,addingtheirowndemonicpowersandmanifestationsin ordertoleadsoulstodestruction.Andwhatevertheexplanationofvarious mediumisticphenomenamaybe,GodinHisRevelationtomankindhas strictlyforbiddenanycontactwiththisoccultrealm: "Thereshallnotbefoundamongyouanyonethatusethdivination,onethat practisethaugury,oranenchanter,orasorcerer,oracharmer,oraconsulterwitha familiarspirit,oranecromancer.Forwhosoeverdoeththesethingsisanabomination untotheLord"(Deut.18:1012;seealsoLev.20:6). InpracticeitisimpossibletocombinemediumismwithgenuineChristianity, thedesireformediumisticphenomenaorpowersbeingincompatiblewith thebasicChristianorientationtowardthesalvationofthesoul.Thisisnotto

saythattherearenot"Christians"whoareinvolvedinmediumism,often unconsciously(asweshallsee);itisonlytosaythattheyarenotgenuine Christians,thattheirChristianityisonlya"newChristianity"suchastheone NicholasBerdyaevpreached,whichwillbediscussedagainbelow.Dr.Koch, evenfromhisProtestantbackground,makesavalidobservationwhenhe notes:"Aperson'sreligiouslifeisnotharmedbyoccultismorspiritism. Indeedspiritismistoalargeextenta'religious'movement.Thedevildoes nottakeawayour'religiousness'...[But]thereisagreatdifferencebetween beingreligiousandbeingbornagainbytheSpiritofGod.Itissadtosaythat ourChristiandenominationshavemore'religious'peopleinthemthantrue Christians"[7]. ThebestknownformofmediumisminthemodernWestisthespiritistic seance,wherecontactismadewithcertainforcesthatproduceobservable effectssuchasknockings,voices,variouskindsofcommunicationssuchas automaticwritingandspeakinginunknowntongues,themovingofobjects, andtheapparitionofhandsand"human"figuresthatcansometimesbe photographed.Theseeffectsareproducedwiththeaidofdefiniteattitudes andtechniquesonthepartofthosepresent,concerningwhichweshallhere quoteoneofthestandardtextbooksonthesubject[8]. 1.Passivity:"Aspirit'sactivityismeasuredbythedegreeofpassivityor submissivenesswhichhefindsinthesensitive,ormedium.""Mediumship... bydiligentcultivationmaybeattainedbyanyonewhodeliberatelyyieldsup hisbody,withhisfreewill,andsensitiveandintellectualfaculties,toan invadingorcontrollingspirit." 2.Solidarityinfaith:Allpresentmusthavea"sympatheticattitudeofmindin supportofthemedium";thespiritisticphenomenaare"facilitatedbyacertain sympathyarisingfromaharmonyofideas,viewsandsentimentexisting betweentheexperimentersandthemedium.Whenthissympathyand harmony,aswellasthepersonalsurrenderofthewill,arewarringinthe membersofthe'circle,'theseanceprovesafailure."Also,"thenumberof experimentersisofgreatimportance.Iflarger,theyimpedetheharmonyso necessaryforsuccess." 3.Allpresent"joinhandstoformthesocalledmagneticcircle.Bythisclosed circuit,eachmembercontributestheenergyofacertainforcewhichis collectivelycommunicatedtothemedium."However,the"magneticcircle"is requiredonlyinlesswelldevelopedmediums.Mme.Blavarsky,thefounder ofmodern"theosophy,"herselfamedium,laterlaughedatthecrude techniquesofspiritismwhensheencounteredmuchmorepowerfulmediums

intheEast,towhichcategoryalsobelongsthefakirdescribedinChapter3. 4.Thenecessaryspiritisticatmosphereiscommonlyinducedbyartificial means,suchasthesingingofhymns,theplayingofsoftmusic,andeventhe offeringofprayer." Thespiritisticseance,tobesure,isarathercrudeformofmediumism althoughforthatveryreasonitstechniquesareallthemoreevidentand onlyrarelydoesitproducespectacularresults.Thereareothermoresubtle forms,someofthemgoingunderthenameof"Christian."Torealizethisone needonlylookatthetechniquesofa"faithhealer"suchasOralRoberts(who untiljoiningtheMethodistchurchafewyearsagowasaministerofthe PentecostalHolinesssect),whocauses"miraculous"healingsbyformingan actual"magneticcircle"composedofpeoplewiththepropersympathy, passivity,andharmonyof"faith"whoputtheirhandsonthetelevisionset whileheisontheair;thehealingscanevenbebroughtaboutbydrinkinga glassofwaterthathasbeenplacedonthetelevisionsetandhasthus absorbedtheflowofmediumisticforcesthathavebeenbroughtintoaction. Butsuchhealings,likethoseproducedbyspiritismandwitchcraft,cantakea heavytollinlaterpsychic,nottomentionspiritual,disorders[9]. Inthisrealmonemustbeverycareful,becausethedevilisconstantlyaping theworksofGod,andmanypeoplewithmediumisticgiftscontinuetothink theyareChristiansandthattheirgiftscomefromtheHolySpirit.Butisit possibletosaythatthisistrueofthe"charismaticrevival"thatitisinfact,as somesay,primarilyaformofmediumism? Inapplyingthemostobvioustestsformediumismtothe"charismatic revival,"oneisstruckfirstofallbythefactthatthechiefprerequisitesforthe spiritisticseancedescribedaboveareallpresentat"charismatic"prayer meetings,whereasnotoneofthesecharacteristicsispresentinthesameform ordegreeinthetrueChristianworshipoftheOrthodoxChurch. 1.The"passivity"ofthespiritisticseancecorrespondstowhat"charismatic" writerscall"akindoflettinggo...Thisinvolvesmorethanthededicationof one'sconsciousexistencethroughanactofwill;italsoreferstoalarge,even hiddenareaofone'sunconsciouslife...Allthatcanbedoneistooffertheself body,mind,andeventhetonguesothattheSpiritofGodmayhavefull possession...SuchpersonsarereadythebarriersaredownandGodmoves mightilyuponandthroughtheirwholebeing"(Williams,pp.6263;italicsin theoriginal).Sucha"spiritual"attitudeisnotthatofChristianity:itisrather theattitudeofZenBuddhism,Eastern"mysticism,"hypnosis,andspiritism.

SuchanexaggeratedpassivityisentirelyforeigntoOrthodoxspirituality, andisonlyanopeninvitationtotheactivityofdeceivingspirits.One sympatheticobservernotesthatatPentecostalmeetingspeoplespeakingin tonguesorinterpreting"seemalmosttogointoatrance"(Sherrill,p.87).This passivityissopronouncedinsome"charismatic"communitiesthatthey completelyabolishthechurchorganizationandanysetorderofservicesand doabsolutelyeverythingasthe"spirit"directs. 2.Thereisadefinite"solidarityinfaith"andnotmerelysolidarityin Christianfaithandhopeforsalvation,butaspecificunanimityinthedesire forandexpectationof"charismatic"phenomena.Thisistrueofall "charismatic"prayermeetings;butanevenmorepronouncedsolidarityis requiredfortheexperienceofthe"BaptismoftheHolySpirit,"whichis usuallyperformedinasmallseparateroominthepresenceofonlyafew whohavealreadyhadtheexperience.Thepresenceofevenonepersonwho hasnegativethoughtsabouttheexperienceisoftensufficienttocausethe "Baptism"nottooccurexactlyinthewaythatthemisgivingsandtheprayer oftheOrthodoxpriestdescribedabovewasenoughtobreakupthe impressiveillusionproducedbytheCeylonesefakir. 3.Thespiritistic"magneticcircle"correspondstothePentecostal"layingonof hands,"whichisalwaysdonebythosewhothemselveshavealready experiencedthe"Baptism"withspeakingintongues,andwhoserve,inthe wordsofPentecostalsthemselves,as"channelsoftheHolySpirit"(Williams, p.64)awordusedbyspiritiststorefertomediums. 4.The"charismatic,"likethespiritistic,"atmosphere"isinducedbymeansof suggestivehymnsandprayers,andoftenalsobyhandclapping,allofwhich give"aneffectofmountingexcitement,andalmostintoxicatingquality" (Sherrill,p.23). Itmaystillbeobjectedthatallthosesimilaritiesbetweenmediumismand Pentecostalismareonlycoincidental;andindeedinordertoshowwhetheror notthe"charismaticrevival"isactuallymediumistic,weshallhaveto determinewhatkindof"spirit"itisthatiscommunicatedthroughthe Pentecostal"channels."Anumberoftestimoniesbythosewhohave experienceditandwhobelievethatitistheHolySpiritpointclearlytoits nature."Thegroupmovedcloseraroundme.Itwasasiftheywereforming withtheirbodiesafunnelthroughwhichwasconcentratedtheflowofthe Spiritthatwaspulsingthroughtheroom.ItflowedintomeasIsatthere" (Sherrill,p.122).AtaCatholicPentecostalprayermeeting,"uponenteringa roomonewaspracticallystruckdeadbythestrongvisiblepresenceofGod"

(Ranaghan,p.79).(Comparethe"vibrant"atmosphereatsomepaganand Hindurites;seeabove,pg.50.)Anothermandescribeshis"Baptismal" experience:"IbecameawarethattheLordwasintheroomandthatHewas approachingme.Icouldn'tseeHim,butIfeltmyselfbeingpushedoveron myback.Iseemedtofloattothefloor..."(LogosJournal,Nov.Dec.,1971,p. 47).Othersimilarexampleswillbegivenbelowinthediscussionofthe physicalaccompanimentsof"charismatic"experience.This"pulsing," "visible,""pushing"spiritthat"approaches"and"flows"wouldseemto confirmthemediumisticcharacterofthe"charismatic"movement.Certainly theHolySpiritcouldneverbedescribedintheseways! Andletusrecallastrangecharacteristicof"charismatic"speakingintongues thatwehavealreadymentioned:thatitisgivennotonlyattheinitial experienceofthe"BaptismoftheHolySpirit,"butissupposedtobe continued(bothinprivateandpublic)andbecomean"essential accompaniment"ofreligiouslife,orelsethe"giftsoftheSpirit"maycease. OnePresbyterian"charismatic"writerspeaksofthespecificfunctionofthis practicein"preparing"for"charismatic"meetings: "Oftenitisthecasethat...asmallgroupwillspendtimeaheadprayinginthe Spirit[i.e.,intongues].Insodoingthereisgreatlymultipliedthesenseof God'spresenceandpowerthatcarriesoverintothegathering."Andagain: "WefindthatquietprayingintheSpiritduringthatmeetinghelpsto maintainanopennesstoGod'spresence...[for]afteronehasbecome accustomedtoprayingintonguesaloud...itsoonbecomesapossibilityfor one'sbreath,movingacrossvocalchordsandtongue,tomanifesttheSpirit's breathing,andtherebyforprayertogoonquietly,yetprofoundly,within" (Williams,p.31). Letusrememberalsothatspeakingintonguescanbetriggeredbysuch artificialdevicesas"makingsoundswiththemouth"andwecometothe inevitableconclusionthat"charismatic"speakingintonguesisnota"gift"at allbutatechnique,itselfacquiredbyothertechniquesandinturntriggering stillother"giftsoftheSpirit,"ifonecontinuestopracticeandcultivateit.Dowe nothavehereacluetothechiefactualaccomplishmentofthemodern PentecostalMovementthatithasdiscoveredanewmediumistictechniquefor enteringintoandpreservingapsychicstatewhereinmiraculous"gifts"bcome commonplace?Ifthisistrue,thenthe"charismatic"definitionofthe"layingon ofhands""thesimpleministrybyoneormorepersonswhothemselvesare channelsoftheHolySpirittoothersnotyetsoblessed,"inwhich"the importantthing[is]thatthosewhoministerhavethemselvesexperiencedthe

movementoftheHolySpirit"(Williams,p.64)describespreciselythe transferenceofthemediumisticgiftbythosewhohavealreadyacquireditandhave themselvesbecomemediums.The"BaptismoftheHolySpirit"thusbecomes mediumisticinitiation. Indeed,ifthe"charismaticrevival"isactuallyamediumisticmovement, muchthatisunclearaboutitifitisviewedasaChristianmovement,becomes clear.ThemovementarisesinAmerica,whichfiftyyearsbeforehadgiven birthtospiritisminasimilarpsychologicalclimate:adead,rationalized Protestantfaithissuddenlyoverwhelmedbyactualexperienceofaninvisible "power"thatcannotberationallyorscientificallyexplained.Themovementis mostsuccessfulinthosecountrieswhichhaveasubstantialhistoryof spiritismormediumism:AmericaandEngland,firstofall,thenBrazil,Japan, thePhilippines,blackAfrica.Thereisscarcelytobefoundanexampleof "speakingintongues"inanyevennominallyChristiancontextforover1,600 yearsafterthetimeofSt.Paul(andeventhenitisanisolatedandshortlived hystericalphenomenon),preciselyuntilthe20thcenturyPentecostal Movement,asthescholarlyhistorianofreligious"enthusiasm"haspointed out;10andyetthis"gift"ispossessedbynumerousshamansandwitch doctorsofprimitivereligions,aswellasbymodernspiritisticmediumsand thedemonicallypossessed.The"prophecies"and"interpretations"at "charismatic"services,asweshallsee,arestrangelyvagueandstereotypedin expression,withoutspecificallyChristianorpropheticcontent.Doctrineis subordinatedtopractice:themottoofbothmovementsmightbe,as "charismatic"enthusiastssayoverandoveragain,"itworks"theverytrap intowhich,aswehaveseen,Hinduismleadsitsvictims.Therecanscarcely beanydoubtthatthe"charismaticrevival,"asfarasitsphenomenaare concerned,bearsamuchcloserresemblancetospiritismandingeneralto nonChristianreligion,thanitdoestoOrthodoxChristianity.Butweshall haveyettogivemanyexamplestodemonstratejusthowtruethisis. Uptothispointwehavebeenquoting,apartfromDr.Koch'sstatements, onlyfromthosefavorabletothe"charismaticrevival,"whoonlygivetheir testimoniesofwhattheyimaginetobetheworkingsoftheHolySpirit.Now letusquotethetestimonyofseveralpeoplewhohaveleftthe"charismatic" movement,orrefusedtoenterit,becausetheyfoundthatthe"spirit"that animatesitisnottheHolySpirit. 1.InLeicester(England)ayoungmanreportedthefollowing.Heandhis friendhadbeenbelieversforsomeyearswhenonedaytheywereinvitedto themeetingofatonguesspeakinggroup.Theatmosphereofthemeetinggot

aholdonthemandafterwardstheyprayedforthesecondblessingandthe baptismoftheHolySpirit.Afterintensiveprayeritwasasifsomethinghot cameoverthem.Theyfeltveryexcitedinside.Forafewweekstheyreveled inthisnewexperience,butslowlythesewavesoffeelingabated.Theman whotoldmethisnoticedthathehadlostalldesiretoreadtheBibleandto pray.HeexaminedhisexperienceinthelightoftheScripturesandrealized thatitwasnotofGod.Herepentedanddenouncedit...Hisfriendonthe otherhandcontinuedinthese'tongues'anditdestroyedhim.Todayhewill notevenconsidertheideaofgoingonfurtherasaChristian"(Koch,p.28). 2.TwoProtestantministerswenttoa"charismatic"prayermeetingata PresbyterianchurchinHollywood."Bothofusagreedbeforehandthatwhen thefirstpersonstartedtospeakintongues,wewouldprayroughlythe following,'Lord,ifthisgiftisfromyou,blessthisbrother,butifitisnotof you,thenstopitandlettherebenootherprayingintonguesinour presence.'...Ayoungmanbeganthemeetingwithashortdevotionafter whichitwasopenforprayer.Awomanstartedtoprayfluentlyinaforeign languagewithoutanystammeringorhesitation.Aninterpretationwasnot given.TheRev.B.andIstartedtoprayquietlyaswehadagreedearlier. Whathappened?Nooneelsespokeintongues,althoughusuallyinthese meetingsallofthem,exceptforanarchitect,prayinunknowntongues" (Koch,p.15).Noteherethatintheabsenceofthemediumisticsolidarityof faith,thephenomenadonotappear. 3."InSanDiego,California,awomancameforcounseling.Shetoldmeofa badexperiencethatshehadhadduringamissionheldbyamemberofthe tonguesmovement.Shehadgonetohismeetingsinwhichhehadspoken aboutthenecessityofthegiftoftongues,andinanaftermeetingshehad allowedhandstobelaidonherselfinordertoreceivethebaptismofthe HolySpiritandthegiftofspeakingintongues.Atthatmomentshefelldown unconscious.Oncomingroundagainshefoundherselflyingonthefloor withhermouthstillopeningandshuttingitselfautomaticallywithoutaword beinguttered.Shewasterriblyfrightened.Standingaroundherweresomeof thepeoplewhowerefollowersofthisevangelistandtheyexclaimed,'O sister,youhavereallyspokenwonderfullyintongues.Nowyouhavethe HolySpirit.'ButthevictimofthissocalledbaptismoftheHolySpiritwas cured.Sheneveragainreturnedtothisgroupoftonguesspeakers.Whenshe cametomeforadviceshewasstillsufferingfromthebadaftereffectsofthis 'spiritualbaptism'"(Koch,p.26). 4.AnOrthodoxChristianinCaliforniarelatesaprivateencounterwitha "spiritfilled"ministerwhohassharedthesameplatformwiththeleading

Catholic,Protestant,andPentecostalrepresentativesofthe"charismatic revival":"Forfivehourshespokeintonguesandusedeveryartifice (psychological,hypnotic,and'layingonofhands')toinducethosepresentto receivethe'baptismoftheHolySpirit.'Thescenewasreallyterrible.When helaidhandsonourfriendshemadegutturalsounds,moaned,wept,and screamed.Hewaswellpleasedbythis.Hesaidshewassufferingforothers intercedingforthem.Whenhe'laidhands'onmyheadtherewasa presentimentofrealevil.His'tongues'wereinterspersedwithEnglish:'You havethegiftofprophecy,Icanfeelit.''Justopenyourmouthanditwillflow out.''YouareblockingtheHolySpirit.'BythegraceofGodIkeptmymouth shut,butIamquitecertainthatifIhadspoken,someoneelsewouldhave 'interpreted.'"(Privatecommunication.) 5.ReadersofTheOrthodoxWordwillrecalltheaccountofthe"prayervigil" heldbytheSyrianAntiochianArchdioceseofNewYorkatitsconventionin ChicagoinAugust,1970,where,afteradramaticandemotionalatmosphere hadbeenbuiltup,youngpeoplebeganto"testify"howthe"spirit"was movingthem.Butseveralpeoplewhowerepresentrelatedlaterthatthe atmospherewas"darkandominous,""stifling,""darkandevil,"andbya miraculousintercessionofSt.HermanofAlaska,whoseiconwaspresentin theroom,thewholemeetingwasbrokenupandtheevilatmosphere dispelled(TheOrthodoxWord,1970,nos.45,pp.196199). Therearenumerousothercasesinwhichpeoplehavelostinterestinprayer, readingtheScriptures,andChristianityingeneral,andhaveevencometo believe,asonestudentdid,that"hewouldnotneedtoreadtheBibleany more.GodtheFatherwouldhimselfappearandspeaktohim"(Koch,p.29). Weshallyethaveoccasiontoquotethetestimonyofmanypeoplewhodo notfindanythingnegativeorevilintheir"charismatic"experience,andwe shallexaminethemeaningoftheirtestimony.However,withoutyetreaching aconclusionastotheprecisenatureofthe"spirit"thatcauses"charismatic" phenomena,onthebasisoftheevidenceheregatheredwecanalreadyagree thisfarwithDr.Koch:"Thetonguesmovementistheexpressionofa deliriousconditionthroughwhichabreakinginofdemonicpowers manifestsitself"(Koch,p.47).Thatis,themovement,whichiscertainly "delirious"ingivingitselfovertotheactivityofa"spirit"thatisnottheHoly Spirit,isnotdemonicinintentionorinitself(ascontemporaryoccultismand satanismcertainlyare),butbyitsnatureitlaysitselfparticularlyopentothe manifestationofobviousdemonicforces,whichdoinfactsometimesappear. Thisbookhasbeenreadbyanumberofpeoplewhohaveparticipatedinthe

"charismaticrevival";manyofthemhavethenabandonedthismovement, recognizingthatthespirittheyhadexperiencedin"charismatic"phenomena wasnottheHolySpirit. Tosuchpeople,involvedinthe"charismatic"movement,whoarenow readingthisbook,wewishtosay:Youmaywellfeelthatyourexperiencein the"charismatic"movementhasbeenlargelysomethinggood(eventhough youmayhavereservationsaboutsomethingsyouhaveseenorexperienced init);youmaywellbeunabletobelievethatthereisanythingdemonicinit. Insuggestingthatthe"charismatic"movementismediumisticininspiration, wedonotmeantodenythewholeofyourexperiencewhileinvolvedinit.If youhavebeenawakenedtorepentanceforyoursins,totherealizationthat theLordJesusChrististheSaviourofmankind,tosincereloveforGodand yourneighborallofthisisindeedgoodandwouldnotbelostby abandoningthe"charismatic"movement.Butifyouthinkthatyour experienceof"speakingintongues,"or"prophesying,"orwhateverelseofthe "supernatural"thatyoumayhaveexperienced,isfromGodthenthisbook isaninvitationforyoutofindoutthattherealmoftrueChristianspiritual experienceismuchdeeperthanyouhavefeltuptonow,thatthewilesofthe devilaremuchmoresubtlethanyoumayhaveimagined,thatthe willingnessofourfallenhumannaturetomistakeillusionfortruth, emotionalcomfortforspiritualexperience,ismuchgreaterthanyouthink. Astotheprecisenatureofthe"tongues"thatarebeingspokentoday, probablynosimpleanswercanbegiven.Weknowquitecertainlythatin Pentecostalism,justasinspiritism,theelementsofbothfraudandsuggestion playnosmallrole,underthesometimesintensepressuresappliedin "charismatic"circlestoforcethephenomenatoappear.Thus,onememberof thelargelyPentecostal"JesusMovement"testifiesthatwhenhespokein tongues"itwasjustanemotionalbuildupthingwhereImumbledabunchof words,"andanotherfranklyadmits,"WhenIfirstbecameaChristianthe peoplethatIwaswithtoldmethatyouhadtodoit.SoIprayedthatIcould doit,andIwentasfarascopyingoffthemsotheywouldthinkthatIhadthe gift"(Ortega,p.49).Someofthesupposed"tongues"arethusdoubtlessnot genuine,oratbesttheproductofsuggestionunderconditionsofemotional nearhysteria.However,thereareactuallydocumentedcasesofPentecostal speakinginanunlearnedlanguage(Sherrill,pp.9095);thereisalsothe testimonyofmanyconcerningtheeaseandassuranceandcalmness(without anyhystericalconditionsatall)withwhichtheycanenterintothestateof "speakingintongues";andthereisadistinctlypreternaturalcharacterinthe relatedphenomenonof"singingintongues,"wherethe"spirit"alsoinspires

themelodyandmanyjoinintoproduceaneffectthatisvariouslydescribed as"eeriebutextraordinarilybeautiful"(Sherrill,p.118)and"unimaginable, humanlyimpossible"(Williams,p.33). Itwouldthereforeseemevidentthatnomerelypsychologicaloremotional explanationcanaccountformuchofthephenomenaofcontemporary "tongues."IfitisnotduetotheworkingoftheHolySpiritandbynowitis abundantlyevidentthatitcouldnotbesothentoday's"speakingin tongues"asanauthentic"supernatural"phenomenoncanonlybethe manifestationofagiftofsomeotherspirit. Toidentifythis"spirit"moreprecisely,andtounderstandthe"charismatic" movementmorefully,notonlyinitsphenomenabutalsoinits"spirituality," weshallhavetodrawmoredeeplyfromthesourcesofOrthodoxtradition. AndfirstofallweshallhavetoreturntoateachingoftheOrthodoxascetic traditionthathasalreadybeendiscussedinthisseriesofarticles,in explanationofthepowerwhichHinduismholdsoveritsdevotees:prelest,or spiritualdeception.

SpiritualDeception
THECONCEPTOFPRELEST,akeyoneinOrthodoxasceticalteaching,is completelyabsentintheProtestantCatholicworldwhichproducedthe "charismatic"movement;andthisfactexplainswhysuchanobvious deceptioncangainsuchaholdovernominally"Christian"circles,andalso whya"prophet"likeNicholasBerdyaevwhocomesfromanOrthodox backgroundshouldregarditasabsolutelyessentialthatinthe"newageof theHolySpirit""Therewillbenomoreoftheasceticworldview."Thereasonis obvious:theOrthodoxasceticworldviewgivestheonlymeansbywhich men,havingreceivedtheHolySpiritattheirBaptismandChrismation,may trulycontinuetoacquiretheHolySpiritintheirlives;anditteacheshowto distinguishandguardoneselfagainstspiritualdeception.The"new spirituality"ofwhichBerdyaevdreamedandwhichthe"charismaticrevival" actuallypractices,hasanentirelydifferentfoundationandisseentobea fraudinthelightoftheOrthodoxasceticalteaching.Therefore,thereisnot roomforbothconceptionsinthesamespiritualuniverse:toacceptthe"new spirituality"ofthe"charismaticrevival"onemustrejectOrthodox Christianity;andconversely,toremainanOrthodoxChristian,onemust rejectthe"charismaticrevival,"whichisacounterfeitofOrthodoxy. Tomakethisquiteclear,inwhatfollowsweshallgivetheteachingofthe OrthodoxChurchonspiritualdeceptionchieflyasfoundinthe19thcentury summationofthisteachingmadebyBishopIgnatiusBrianchaninov,himself

anOrthodoxFatherofmoderntimes,involumeoneofhiscollectedworks. Therearetwobasicformsofprelestorspiritualdeception.Thefirstandmore spectacularformoccurswhenapersonstrivesforahighspiritualstateor spiritualvisionswithouthavingbeenpurifiedofpassionsandrelyingonhis ownjudgment.Tosuchaonethedevilgrantsgreat"visions."Therearemany suchexamplesintheLivesofSaints,oneoftheprimarytextbooksof Orthodoxasceticalteaching.ThusSt.Nicetas,BishopofNovgorod(Jan.31), enteredonthesolitarylifeunpreparedandagainstthecounselofhisabbot, andsoonheheardavoiceprayingwithhim.Then"theLord"spoketohim andsentan"angel"toprayinhisplaceandtoinstructhimtoreadbooks insteadofpraying,andtoteachthosewhocametohim.Thishedid,always seeingthe"angel"nearhimpraying,andthepeoplewereastonishedathis spiritualwisdomandthe"giftsoftheHolySpirit"whichheseemedto possess,including"prophecies"whichwerealwaysfulfilled.Thedeceitwas uncoveredonlywhenthefathersofthemonasteryfoundoutabouthis aversionfortheNewTestament(althoughtheOldTestament,whichhehad neverread,hecouldquotebyheart),andbytheirprayershewasbroughtto repentance,his"miracles"ceased,andlaterheattainedtogenuinesanctity. Again,St.IsaacoftheKievCaves(Feb.14)sawagreatlightand"Christ" appearedtohimwith"angels";whenIsaac,withoutmakingthesignofthe Cross,boweddownbefore"Christ,"thedemonsgainedpoweroverhimand, afterdancingwildlywithhim,lefthimallbutdead.Healsolaterattained genuinesanctity.Therearemanysimilarcaseswhen"Christ"and"angels" appearedtoasceticsandgrantedastonishingpowersand"giftsoftheHoly Spirit,"whichoftenledthedeludedasceticfinallytoinsanityorsuicide. Butthereisanothermorecommon,lessspectacularformofspiritual deception,whichofferstoitsvictimsnotgreatvisionsbutjustexalted "religiousfeelings."Thisoccurs,asBishopIgnatiushaswritten,"whenthe heartdesiresandstrivesfortheenjoymentofholyanddivinefeelingswhile itisstillcompletelyunfitforthem.Everyonewhodoesnothaveacontrite spirit,whorecognizesanykindofmeritorworthinhimself,whodoesnot holdunwaveringlytheteachingoftheOrthodoxChurchbutonsome traditionorotherhasthoughtouthisownarbitraryjudgmentorhas followedanonOrthodoxteachingisinthisstateofdeception."TheRoman CatholicChurchhaswholespiritualmanualswrittenbypeopleinthisstate; suchisThomasaKempis'ImitationofChrist.BishopIgnatiussaysofit:"There reignsinthisbookandbreathesfromitspagestheunctionoftheevilspirit, flatteringthereader,intoxicatinghim...Thebookconductsthereaderdirectly tocommunionwithGod,withoutpreviouspurificationbyrepentance...From

itcarnalpeopleenterintorapturefromadelightandintoxicationattained withoutdifficulty,withoutselfrenunciation,withoutrepentance,without crucifixionofthefleshwithitspassionsanddesires(Gal.5:24),withflattery oftheirfallenstate."Andtheresult,asI.M.Kontzevitch,thegreattransmitter ofpatristicteaching,haswritten,11isthat"theascetic,strivingtokindleinhis heartloveforGodwhileneglectingrepentance,exertshimselftoattaina feelingofdelight,ofecstasy,andasaresultheattainspreciselytheopposite: 'heentersintocommunionwithsatanandbecomesinfectedwithhatredfor theHolySpirit'(BishopIgnatius)." Andthisistheactualstateinwhichthefollowersofthe"charismaticrevival," evenwithoutsuspectingit,findthemselves.Thismaybeseenmostclearlyby examiningtheirexperiencesandviews,pointbypoint,againsttheteaching oftheOrthodoxFathersassetforthbyBishopIgnatius.

AttitudeToward"Spiritual"Experiences

HAVINGLITTLEORNOFOUNDATIONinthegenuinesourcesof ChristianspiritualexperiencetheHolyMysteriesoftheChurch,andthe spiritualteachinghandeddownbytheHolyFathersfromChristandHis Apostlesthefollowersofthe"charismatic"movementhavenomeansof distinguishingthegraceofGodfromitscounterfeit.All"charismatic"writers show,toalesserorgreaterdegree,alackofcautionanddiscrimination towardtheexperiencestheyhave.SomeCatholicPentecostals,tobesure, "exorcisesatan"beforeaskingfor"BaptismintheSpirit";buttheefficacyof thisact,aswillsoonbeevidentfromtheirowntestimony,issimilartothatof theJewsintheActs(19:15),towhose"exorcism"theevilspiritreplied:"Jesus Iknow,andPaulIknow;butwhoareyou?"St.JohnCassian,thegreat5th centuryOrthodoxfatheroftheWest,whowrotewithgreatdiscernmenton theworkingoftheHolySpiritinhisConferenceon"DivineGifts,"notesthat "sometimesthedemons[workmiracles]inordertoliftintopridetheman whobelieveshimselftopossessthemiraculousgift,andsopreparehimfora moremiraculousfall.Theypretendthattheyarebeingburntupanddriven outfromthebodieswheretheyweredwellingthroughtheholinessofpeople whomtrulytheyknowtobeunholy...IntheGospelweread:Thereshall arisefalseChristsandfalseprophets"[12]. The18thcenturySwedish"visionary,"EmanuelSwedenborgwhowasa strangeforerunneroftoday'soccultand"spiritual"revivalhadextensive experiencewithspiritualbeings,whomhefrequentlysawand communicatedwith.Hedistinguishedtwokindsofspirits,the"good"and the"evil";hisexperiencehasbeenrecentlyconfirmedbythefindingsofa

clinicalpsychologistinhisworkwith"hallucinating"patientsinastate mentalhospitalinUkiah,California.Thispsychologisttookseriouslythe voicesheardbyhispatientsandundertookaseriesof"dialogues"withthem (throughtheintermediaryofthepatientsthemselves).Heconcluded,like Swedenborg,thattherearetwoverydifferentkindsof"beings"whohave enteredintocontactwiththepatients:the"higher"andthe"lower."Inhis ownwords:"Lowerordervoicesaresimilartodrunkenbumsatabarwho liketoteaseandtormentjustforthefunofit.Theysuggestlewdactsand thenscoldthepatientforconsideringthem.Theyfindaweakpointof conscienceandworkonitinterminably...Thevocabularyandrangeofideas ofthelowerorderislimited,buttheyhaveapersistentwilltodestroy...They workoneveryweaknessandbelief,claimawesomepowers,lie,make promises,andthenunderminethepatient'swill...Allofthelowerorderare irreligiousorantireligious...Toonepersontheyappearedasconventional devilsandreferredtothemselvesasdemons." "Indirectcontraststandtherarerhigherorderhallucinations...Thiscontrast maybeillustratedbytheexperienceofoneman.Hehadheardthelower orderarguingforalongwhileabouthowtheywouldmurderhim.Buthe alsohadalightcometohimatnight,likethesun.Heknewitwasadifferent orderbecausethelightrespectedhisfreedomandwouldwithdrawifit frightenedhim...Whenthemanwasencouragedtoapproachhisfriendlysun heenteredaworldofpowerfulnuminousexperiences...[Once]avery powerfulandimpressiveChristlikefigureappeared...Somepatients experienceboththehigherandlowerordersatvarioustimesandfeelcaught betweenaprivateheavenandhell.Manyonlyknowtheattacksofthelower order.Thehigherorderclaimspoweroverthelowerorderand,indeed, showsitattimes,butnotenoughtogivepeaceofmindtomostpatients... Thehigherorderappearedstrangelygifted,sensitive,wise,andreligious" [13]. AnyreaderoftheOrthodoxLivesofSaintsandotherspiritualliterature knowsthatallofthesespiritsboth"good"and"evil,"the"lower"withthe "higher"areequallydemons,andthatthediscernmentbetweentruegood spirits(angels)andtheseevilspiritscannotbemadeonthebasisofonesown feelingsorimpressions.Thewidespreadpracticeof"exorcism"in "charismatic"circlesoffersnoguaranteewhateverthatevilspiritsareactually beingdrivenout;exorcismsarealsoverycommon(andseeminglysuccessful) amongprimitiveshamans,14whoalsorecognizethattherearedifferent kindsofspiritswhichareall,however,equallydemons,whethertheyseem tofleewhenexorcisedorcomewheninvokedtogiveshamanisticpowers.

Noonewilldenythatthe"charismatic"movementonthewholeisfirmly orientedagainstcontemporaryoccultismandsatanism.Butthemoresubtle oftheevilspiritsappearas"angelsoflight"(2Cor.11:14),andagreatgiftof discernment,togetherwithadeepdistrustofallonesextraordinary "spiritual"experiences,isrequiredifapersonisnottobedeceived.Intheface ofthesubtle,invisibleenemieswhowageunseenwarfareagainstthehuman race,thenaivelytrustingattitudetowardstheirexperiencesofmostpeople involvedinthe"charismatic"movementisanopeninvitationtospiritual deception.Onepastor,forexample,counselsmeditationonScriptural passagesandthenwritingdownanythought"triggered"bythereading: "ThisistheHolySpirit'spersonalmessagetoyou"(Christenson,p.139).But anyseriousstudentofChristianspiritualityknowsthat,forexample,atthe beginningofthemonasticlifesomeoftheuncleandemonsinstruct[novices] intheinterpretationoftheDivineScriptures...graduallydeceivingthemthat theymayleadthemintoheresyandblasphemy"(TheLadderofSt.John,Step 26:152). Sadly,theattitudeoftheOrthodoxfollowersofthe"charismaticrevival" seemsnomorediscerningthanthatofCatholicsandProtestants.They obviouslydonotknowwelltheOrthodoxFathersorLivesofSaints,and whentheydoquotearareFather,itisoftenoutofcontext(seelater concerningSt.Seraphim).The"charismatic"appealischieflyoneto experience.OneOrthodoxpriestwrites:"Somehavedaredtolabelthis experience'prelest'spiritualpride.NoonewhohasencounteredtheLordin thiswaycouldfallintothisdelusion"(Logos,April,1972,p.10).Butitisa veryrareOrthodoxChristianwhoiscapableofdistinguishingverysubtle formsofspiritualdeception(where"pride,"forexample,maytaketheform of"humility")solelyonthebasisofhisfeelingaboutthemwithoutreference tothepatristictradition;onlyonewhohasalreadyfullyassimilatedthe patristictraditionintohisownthoughtandpracticeandhasattainedgreat sanctitycanpresumetodothis. HowistheOrthodoxChristianpreparedtowithstanddeception?Hehasthe wholebodyofGodinspiredpatristicwritingswhich,togetherwithHoly Scripture,presentthejudgmentofChrist'sChurchfor1900yearswithregard tovirtuallyeveryconceivablespiritualandpseudospiritualexperience.Later weshallseethatthistraditionhasaverydefinitejudgmentpreciselyonthe chiefquestionthe"charismatic"movementraises:concerningthepossibility ofanewandwidespread"outpouringoftheHolySpirit"inthelastdays.But evenbeforeconsultingtheFathersonspecificquestions,theOrthodox Christianisprotectedagainstdeceptionbytheveryknowledgethatsuch

deceptionnotonlyexists,butiseverywhere,includingwithinhimself. BishopIgnatiuswrites:"Weareallindeception.Theknowledgeofthisisthe greatestpreventativeagainstdeception.Itisthegreatestdeceptionto acknowledgeoneselftobefreeofdeception."HequotesSt.Gregorythe Sinaite,whowarnsus:"Itisnotalittlelabortoattainthetruthpreciselyand tomakeoneselfpureofeverythingthatopposesgrace;becauseitisusualfor thedeviltoshowhisdeception,especiallytobeginners,intheformoftruth, givingaspiritualappearancetowhatisevil."And"Godisnotangryathim who,fearingdeception,watchesoverhimselfwithextremecaution,evenif heshouldnotacceptsomethingwhichissentfromGod...Onthecontrary, Godpraisessuchaoneforhisgoodsense." Thus,totallyunpreparedforspiritualwarfare,unawarethatthereissucha thingasspiritualdeceptionofthemostsubtlesort(asopposedtoobvious formsofoccultism),theCatholicorProtestantoruninformedOrthodox Christiangoestoaprayermeetingtobe"baptized(orfilled)withtheHoly Spirit."Theatmosphereofthemeetingisextremelyloose,beingintentionally left"open"totheactivityofsome"spirit."ThusdoCatholics(whoprofessto bemorecautiousthanProtestants)describesomeoftheirPentecostal gatherings:"Thereseemedtobenobarriers,noinhibitions...Theysatcross leggedonthefloor.Ladiesinslacks.Whiterobedmonk.Cigarettesmokers. Coffeedrinkers.Prayinginfreeform...Itoccurredtomethatthesepeople werehavingagoodtimepraying!IsthatwhattheymeantbytheHolySpirit dwellingamongstthem?"AndatanotherCatholicPentecostalmeeting, "exceptforthefactthatnoonewasdrinking,itseemedlikeacocktailparty" (Ranaghan,pp.157,209).Atinterdenominational"charismatic"meetingsthe atmosphereislikewisesufficientlyinformalthatnooneissurprisedwhenthe "spirit"inspiresanelderlywoman,inthemidstofafitofgeneralweeping,to standupand"dancealittlejig"(Sherrill,p.118).TothesoberOrthodox Christian,thefirstthingnoticeableaboutsuchanatmosphereisitstotallack ofwhatheknowsinhisownDivineservicesasgenuinepietyandawe, proceedingfromthefearofGod.Andthisfirstimpressionisonlystrikingly confirmedbyobservationofthetrulystrangeeffectswhichthePentecostal "spirit"produceswhenitdescendsintothislooseatmosphere.Weshallnow examinesomeoftheseeffects,placingthembeforethejudgmentoftheHoly FathersoftheChurchofChrist.

PhysicalAccompanimentsof"Charismatic"Experience

ONEOFTHECOMMONESTRESPONSEStotheexperienceofthe"Baptism oftheHolySpirit"islaughter.OneCatholictestifies:"IwassojoyfulthatallI coulddowaslaughasIlayonthefloor"(Ranaghan,p.28).AnotherCatholic:

"ThesenseofthepresenceandloveofGodwassostrongthatIcanremember sittinginthechapelforahalfhourjustlaughingoutofjoyovertheloveof God"(Ranaghan,p.64).AProtestanttestifiesthatathisBaptism,"Istarted laughing...Ijustwantedtolaughandlaughthewayyoudowhenyoufeelso goodyoujustcan'ttalkaboutit.IheldmysidesandlaugheduntilIdoubled over"(Sherrill,p.113).AnotherProtestant:"ThenewtongueIwasgivenwas intermingledwithwavesofmirthinwhicheveryfearIhadjustseemedto rollaway.Itwasatongueoflaughter"(Sherrill,p.115).AnOrthodoxpriest, Fr.EusebiusStephanou,writes:"Icouldnotconcealthebroadsmileonmy facethatanyminutecouldhavebrokenoutintolaughteralaughterofthe HolySpiritstirringinmearefreshingrelease"(Logos,April,1972,p.4). Many,manyexamplescouldbecollectedofthistrulystrangereactiontoa "spiritual"experience,andsome"charismatic"apologistshaveawhole philosophyof"spiritualjoy"and"God'sfoolishness"toexplainit.Butthis philosophyisnotintheleastChristian;suchaconceptasthe"laughterofthe HolySpirit"isunheardofinthewholehistoryofChristianthoughtand experience.Hereperhapsmoreclearlythananywhereelsethe"charismatic revival"revealsitselfasnotatallChristianinreligiousorientation;this experienceispurelyworldlyandpagan,andwhereitcannotbeexplainedin termsofemotionalhysteria(forFr.Eusebius,indeed,laughterprovided "relief"and"release"from"anintensefeelingofselfconsciousnessand embarrassment"and"emotionaldevastation"),itcanonlybeduetosome degreeof"possession"byoneormoreofthepagangods,whichtheOrthodox churchcallsdemons.Here,forexample,isacomparable"initiation" experienceofapaganEskimoshaman:Notfindinginitiation,"Iwould sometimesfalltoweepingandfeelunhappywithoutknowingwhy.Thenfor noreasonallwouldsuddenlybechanged,andIfeltagreat,inexplicablejoy, ajoysopowerfulthatIcouldnotrestrainit,buthadtobreakintosong,a mightysong,withroomforonlyoneword:joy,joy!AndIhadtousethefull strengthofmyvoice.Andtheninthemidstofsuchafitofmysteriousand overwhelmingdelightIbecameashaman...Icouldseeandhearinatotally differentway.Ihadgainedmyenlightenment...anditwasnotonlyIwho couldseethroughthedarknessoflife,butthesamebrightlightalsoshone outofme...andallthespiritsofearthandskyandseanowcametomeand becamemyhelpingspirits"(Lewis,EcstaticReligion,p.37). Itisnotsurprisingthatunsuspecting"Christians,"havingdeliberatelylaid themselvesopentoasimilarpaganexperience,wouldstillinterpretitasa "Christian"experience;psychologicallytheyarestillChristians,although spirituallytheyhaveenteredtherealmofdistinctlynonChristianattitudes

andpractices.WhatisthejudgmentoftheOrthodoxascetictradition concerningsuchathingasa"laughteroftheHolySpirit"?Sts.Barsanuphius andJohn,the6thcenturyascetics,givetheunequivocalOrthodoxanswerin replytoanOrthodoxmonkwhowasplaguedbythisproblem(Answer451): "InthefearofGodthereisnolaughter.TheScripturesaysofthefoolish,that theyraisetheirvoiceinlaughter(Sirach21:23);andthewordofthefoolishis alwaysdisturbedanddeprivedofgrace."St.EphraimtheSyrianjustas clearlyteaches:"Laughterandfamiliarityarethebeginningofasoul's corruption.Ifyouseetheseinyourself,knowthatyouhavecometothe depthsofevils.DonotceasetoprayGodthatHewilldeliveryoufromthis death...Laughterremovesfromusthatblessingwhichispromisedtothose whomourn(Matt.5:4)anddestroyswhathasbeenbuiltup.Laughteroffends theHolySpirit,givesnobenefittothesoul,dishonorsthebody.Laughter drivesoutvirtues,hasnoremembranceofdeathorthoughtoftortures" (Philokalia,Russianedition,Moscow,1913:vol.2,p.448).Isitnotevidenthow farastrayignoranceofbasicChristianitycanleadone? Atleastascommonaslaughterasaresponsetocharismatic"Baptism"isits psychologicallycloserelative,tears.Theseoccurtoindividualsand,quite often,towholegroupsatonce(inthiscasequiteapartfromtheexperienceof "Baptism"),spreadinginfectiouslyfornoapparentreasonatall(seeSherrill, pp.109,117)."Charismatic"writersdonotfindthereasonforthisinthe "convictionofsin"thatproducessuchresultsatProtestantrevivals;theygive noreasonatall,andthereseemstobenone,exceptthatthisexperience simplycomesupononewhoisexposedtothe"charismatic"atmosphere.The OrthodoxFathers,asBishopIgnatiusnotes,teachthattearsoftenaccompany thesecondformofspiritualdeception.St.JohnoftheLadder,tellingofthe manydifferentcausesoftears,somegoodandsomebad,warns:"Donot trustyourfountainsoftearsbeforeyoursoulhasbeenperfectlypurified" (Step7:35);andofonekindoftearshestatesdefinitely:"Tearswithout thoughtareproperonlytoanirrationalnatureandnottoarationalone" (7:17). Besideslaughterandtears,andoftentogetherwiththem,thereareanumber ofotherphysicalreactionstothe"BaptismoftheHolySpirit,"including warmth,manykindsoftremblingandcontortions,andfallingtothefloor. Alltheexamplesgivenhere,itshouldbeemphasized,arethoseofordinary ProtestantsandCatholics,andnotatallthoseofanyPentecostalextremists, whoseexperiencesaremuchmorespectacularandunrestrained. "Whenhandswerelaidonme,immediatelyitfeltasifmywholechestwere

tryingtoriseintomyhead.Mylipsstartedtrembling,andmybrainstarted turningflips.ThenIstartedgrinning"(Ranaghan,p.67).Anotherwas "withoutemotionfollowingtheevent,butwithgreatwarmthofbodyanda greatease"(Ranaghan,p.91).Anothergivesthistestimony:"AssoonasI kneltdownIbegantotremble...AllofasuddenIbecamefilledwiththeHoly Spiritandrealizedthat'Godisreal.'Istartedlaughingandcryingatthesame time.ThenextthingIknewIwasprostratebeforethealtarandfilledwiththe peaceofChrist"(Ranaghan,p.34).Anothersays:"AsIkneltquietlythanking theLord,D.layprostrateandsuddenlybegantoheavebythepowerof someoneunseen.Byaninsightthatmusthavebeendivinelyinspired...I knewD.wasbeingmovedquitevisiblybytheHolySpirit"(Ranaghan,p.29). Another:"Myhands(usuallycoldbecauseofpoorcirculation)grewmoist andwarm.Warmthenvelopedme"(Ranaghan,p.30).Another:"IknewGod wasworkingwithinme.Icouldfeeladistincttinglinginmyhands,and immediatelyIbecamebathedinahardsweat"(Ranaghan,p.102).Amember ofthe"JesusMovement"says:"Ifeelsomethingwellingupinsidemeandall ofasuddenI'mspeakingintongues"(Ortega,p.49).One"charismatic" apologistemphasizesthatsuchexperiencesaretypicalinthe"Baptismofthe HolySpirit,"which"hasoftenbeenmarkedbyasubjectiveexperiencewhich hasbroughttherecipientintoawonderfulnewsenseofnearnesstotheLord. Thissometimesdemandssuchanexpressionofworshipandadorationas cannotbecontainedwithintheusualrestrictionsimposedbytheetiquetteof ourWesternsociety!Atsuchtimes,somehavebeenknowntoshake violently,toliftuptheirhandstotheLord,toraisethevoiceabovethe normalpitch,oreventofalltothefloor"(Lillie,p.17). Onedoesnotknowatwhattomarvelthemore:atthetotalincongruenceof suchhystericalfeelingsandexperienceswithanythingatallspiritualorat theincrediblelightmindednessthatleadssuchdeceivedpeopletoascribe theircontortionstothe"HolySpirit,"to"divineinspiration,"tothe"peaceof Christ."Theseareclearlypeoplewho,inthespiritualandreligiousrealm,are notonlytotallyinexperiencedandwithoutguidance,butareabsolutely illiterate.ThewholehistoryofOrthodoxChristianitydoesnotknowofany such"ecstatic"experiencesproducedbytheHolySpirit.Itisonlyfoolishness whensome"charismatic"apologistspresumetocomparethesechildishand hystericalexperiences,whichareopentoabsolutelyeveryone,withthe DivinerevelationsaccordedtothegreatestSaints,suchastoSt.Paulonthe roadtoDamascusortoSt.JohntheEvangelistonPatmos.ThoseSaintsfell downbeforethetrueGod(withoutcontortions,andcertainlywithout laughter),whereasthesepseudoChristiansaremerelyreactingtothe presenceofaninvadingspirit,andareworshippingonlythemselves.The

ElderMacariusofOptinawrotetoapersoninasimilarstate:"Thinkingto findtheloveofGodinconsolingfeelings,youareseekingnotGodbut yourself,thatis,yourownconsolation,whileyouavoidthepathofsorrows, consideringyourselfsupposedlylostwithoutspiritualconsolations"[15]. Ifthese"charismatic"experiencesarereligiousexperiencesatall,thenthey arepaganreligiousexperiences;andinfacttheyseemtocorrespondexactlyto themediumisticinitiationexperienceofspiritpossession,whichiscausedby "aninnerforcewellingupinsideattemptingtotakecontrol"(Koch,Occult Bondage,p.44).Ofcourse,notall"BaptismsoftheHolySpirit"areasecstatic assomeoftheseexperiences(althoughsomeareevenmoreecstatic);butthis tooisinaccordwithspiritisticpractice:"Whenspiritsfindamediumfriendly orwelldisposedinsubmissivenessorpassivityofmind,theyenterquietlyas intotheirownhome;while,onthecontrary,whenthepsychicislesswell disposedfromsomeresistance,orwantofpassivityofmind,thespiritenters withmoreorlessforce,andthisisoftenreflectedinthecontortionsofthe faceandtremorofthemedium'smembers"(Blackmore,Spiritism,p.97). Thisexperienceof"spiritpossession,"however,shouldnotbeconfusedwith actualdemonicpossession,whichistheconditionwhenanuncleanspirit takesuppermanenthabitationinsomeoneandproducesphysicaland psychicdisorderswhichdonotseemtobeindicatedin"charismatic"sources. Mediumistic"possession"istemporaryandpartial,themediumconsentingto beusedforaparticularfunctionbytheinvadingspirit.Butthe"charismatic" textsthemselvesmakeitquiteclearthatwhatisinvolvedintheseexperiences whentheyaregenuineandnotmerelytheproductofsuggestionisnot merelythedevelopmentofsomemediumisticability,butactualpossession byaspirit.Thesepeoplewouldseemtobecorrectincallingthemselves "spiritfilled"butitiscertainlynottheHolySpiritwithwhichtheyarefilled! BishopIgnatiusgivesseveralexamplesofsuchphysicalaccompanimentsof spiritualdeception:one,amonkwhotrembledandmadestrangesounds, andidentifiedthesesignsasthe"fruitsofprayer";another,amonkwhomthe bishopmetwhoasaresultofhisecstaticmethodofprayerfeltsuchheatin hisbodythatheneedednowarmclothinginwinter,andthisheatcouldeven befeltbyothers.Asageneralprinciple,BishopIgnatiuswrites,thesecond kindofspiritualdeceptionisaccompaniedby"amaterial,passionatewarmth oftheblood";"thebehavioroftheasceticsofLatinism,embracedby deception,hasalwaysbeenecstatic,byreasonofthisextraordinarymaterial, passionatewarmth"thestateofsuchLatin"saints"asFrancisofAssisiand IgnatiusLoyola.Thismaterialwarmthoftheblood,amarkofthespiritually

deceived,istobedistinguishedfromthespiritualwarmthfeltbythosesuch asSt.SeraphimofSarovwhogenuinelyacquiredtheHolySpirit.Butthe HolySpiritisnotacquiredfromecstatic"charismatic"experiences,butbythe longandarduouspathofasceticismthe"pathofsorrows"ofwhichtheElder Macariusspoke,withintheChurchofChrist.

"SpiritualGifts"Accompanying"Charismatic"Experience

THECHIEFCLAIMofthefollowersofthe"charismaticrevival"isthatthey haveacquired"spiritual"gifts.Oneofthefirstsuch"gifts"thatbecomes noticeableinthose"baptizedwiththeHolySpirit"isanew"spiritual"power andboldness.Whatgivesthemboldnessisthedefiniteexperiencewhichno onecandoubtthattheyhavehad,althoughonecancertainlydoubttheir interpretationofit.Sometypicalexamples:"Idonothavetobelievein Pentecost,becauseIhaveseenit"(Ranaghan,p.40)."IbegantofeelthatI knewexactlywhattosaytoothersandwhattheyneededtohear...Ifound thattheHolySpiritgavemearealboldnesstosayitandithadamarked effect"(Ranaghan,p.64)."IwassoconfidentthattheSpiritwouldbetrueto HiswordthatIprayedwithoutanyifs.Iprayedinwillsandshallsandin everyotherkindofdeclarativestatement."(Ranaghan,p.67).AnOrthodox example:"WeprayforwisdomandsuddenlywearewiseintheLord.We prayforloveandtrueloveisfeltforallmen.Weprayforhealings,and healthhasbeenrestored.Weprayformiraclesand,believing,wehaveseen miracleshappen.Weprayforsigns,andreceivethem.Weprayintongues knownandtonguesunknown"(Logos,April,1972,p.13). Here,again,agenuineOrthodoxcharacteristic,acquiredandtestedbylong yearsofasceticlaborandmaturinginfaith,issupposedlyobtainedinstantly bymeansof"charismatic"experience.Itistrue,ofcourse,thattheApostles andMartyrsweregivenamagnificentboldnessbythespecialgraceofGod; butitisonlyridiculouswhenevery"charismaticChristian,"withoutany notionofwhatDivinegraceis,wishestocomparehimselftothesegreat Saints.Beingbasedonanexperienceofdeception,"charismatic"boldnessis nomorethanafeverish,"revivalistic"imitationoftrueChristianboldness, anditonlyservesasanotheridentifyingmarkof"charismatic"deception. BishopIgnatiuswritesthatacertain"selfconfidenceandboldnessare usuallynoticeableinpeoplewhoareinselfdeception,supposingthatthey areholyorarespirituallyprogressing.""Anextraordinarypomposity appearsinthoseafflictedwiththisdeception:theyareasitwereintoxicated withthemselves,bytheirstateofselfdeception,seeinginitastateofgrace. Theyaresteepedin,overflowingwithhighmindednessandpride,while appearinghumbletomanywhojudgebyappearanceswithoutbeingableto

judgebyfruits." Beyondspeakingintonguesitself,themostcommon"supernatural"giftof those"baptizedintheSpirit"isthedirectreceptionof"messagesfromGod" intheformof"prophecies"and"interpretations."OneCatholicgirlsaysofher "charismatic"friends:"InsomeofthemIwitnessedthespeakingintongues, someofwhichIhavebeenabletointerpret.Themessageshavealwaysbeen thoseofgreatsolaceandjoyfromtheLord"(Ranaghan.p.32).One "interpretation"issummarizedthus:"HewasspeakingwordsfromGod,a messageofconsolation"(Ranaghan,p.181).Themessagesarenothingifnot bold;atonemeeting"stillanotheryoungwomanannounceda'messagefrom God,'speakinginthefirstperson"(Ranaghan,p.2).A"charismatic" Protestantwritesthatinsuchmessages"God'sWordisdirectlyspoken!...The Wordmaysuddenlybespokenbyanyonepresent,andso,variouslya'Thus saystheLord'breaksforthinthefellowship.Itisusuallyinthefirstperson (thoughnotalways),suchas'Iamwithyoutoblessyou'"(Williams,p.27). Afewspecifictextsof"prophecy"and"interpretation"aregiveninthe apologeticalbooksofthe"charismatic"movement:

"BelikeatreeswayingwithHiswill,rootedinHisstrength, reachinguptoHisloveandlight"(Ford,p.35). "AstheHolySpiritcamedownuponMaryandJesuswasformed withinher,sotheHolySpiritcomesuponyouandJesusisin yourmidst"givenintonguesbyaRomanCatholicand "interpreted"byaProtestant(Ford,p.35). "ThefeetofHimwhowalkedthestreetsofJerusalemarebehind you.Hisgazeishealingtothosewhodrawnearbutdeathto thosewhoflee"thishadspecialmeaningforonememberof theprayergroup(Ford,p.35). "Ireachoutmyhandtoyou.YouneedonlytakeitandIwilllead you"thissamemessagewasgivenafewminutesearliertoa RomanCatholicpriestinanotherroom;hewroteitdownand enteredtheprayerroomjustintimetohearitutteredin exactlythewordshehadwrittendown(Ranaghan,P54). "Donotworry,Iampleasedwiththestandyouhavetaken.This isdifficultforyoubutwillbringmuchblessingtoanother" thisbroughtfinalreassurancetoonepersonpresent

concerningarecentdifficultdecision(Sherrill,p.88). "Mywifewalkedinandbegantoplaytheorgan.Suddenly,the SpiritofGodcameuponherandshebegantospeakin tonguesandprophesy,'Myson,Iamwithyou.Becauseyou havebeenfaithfulinlittlethingsIamgoingtouseyouina greaterway.Iamleadingyoubythehand.Iamguidingyou, benotafraid.YouareinthecenterofMywill.Donotlookto therightortotheleft,butcontinuetherein'this"prophecy" wasaccompaniedbya"vision"andwasdirectlyresponsible forthefoundingofalargeandinfluentialPentecostal organization,theFullGospelBusinessMen'sFellowship International(LogosJournal,Sept.Oct.,1971,p.14).

Wemaywellbelieve,accordingtothetestimonyofwitnesseswhofindthat suchmessagesapplydirectlytothem,thatthereissomethingpreternatural aboutanumberofthem,thattheyarenotjust"madeup."ButdoestheHoly Spiritusesuchartificialmethodstocommunicatewithmen?(The"spirits"at seancescertainlydo!)Whyisthelanguagesomonotonousandstereotyped, sometimesworthyofthepennyfortunetellingmachinesinAmericancafes? Whyarethemessagessovagueanddreamlike,soundingindeedliketrance utterances?Whyistheircontentalwaysoneof"consolation,""solaceandjoy," reassurance,preciselywithoutpropheticordogmaticcharacterasifthe "spirit,"evenlikethe"spirits"atseances,wereespeciallypleasedwithhis nondenominationalaudience?Who,afterall,isthestrangelycharacterless"I" thatspeaks?ArewewronginapplyingthewordsofatrueProphetofGodto allthis?"Letnotyourprophetsthatareinthemidstofyou,andyourdiviners, deceiveyou...FortheyprophesyfalselyuntoyouinMyname:Ihavenotsentthem, saiththeLord"(Jeremiah29:89). Justasone"baptizedintheSpirit"usuallycarriestheabilitytospeakin tonguesoverintohisprivatedevotions,andingeneralisawarethat"the Lord"isconstantlywithhim,sotoo,evenoutsidetheatmosphereofthe prayermeetingheoftenhasprivate"revelations,"includingaudiblevoices andtangible"presences."Thusdoesthe"prophet"ofthe"charismaticrevival" describeoneofhisexperiences:"Iwasawakenedfromadeeprestfulsleepby avoicethatseemedloudandclear...distinctlysaying:'Godhasno grandsons'...Thenitseemedasiftherewassomeoneinmyroomandthe presencemademefeelgood.Suddenlyitdawnedonme.ItmustbetheHoly Spiritwhospoketome"(DuPleissis,p.61).

Howcanoneaccountforsuchexperiences?BishopIgnatiuswrites:"One possessedbythiskindofspiritualdeceptionfanciesofhimself[thesecond formofprelestiscalled'fancy,'mnenieinRussian]thatheaboundsinthe giftsoftheHolySpirit.Thisfancyiscomposedoffalseconceptsandfalse feelings,andinthischaracterwhichithasitbelongsfullytotherealmofthe fatherandrepresentativeoffalsehood,thedevil.Onewho,inpraying,strives tounveilintheheartthefeelingofthenewman,yetdoesnothaveany possibilitytodothis,substitutesforthisfeelingsofhisowninvention, counterfeits,towhichtheactionoffallenspiritsdoesnottarrytojoinitself. Acknowledginghisincorrectfeelings,bothhisownandthosefromthe demons,tobetrueandgracegiven,hereceivesconceptionswhich correspondtothefeelings." Preciselysuchaprocesshasbeenobservedbywritersonspiritism.For someoneseriouslyinvolvedinspiritism(andnotonlymediumsthemselves), amomentcomeswhenthewholefalsespiritualitythatcultivatespassivityof mindandopennesstotheactivityof"spirits,"manifestedeveninsuch seeminglyinnocentpastimesastheuseofaouijaboard,passesoverintothe actualpossessionofthispersonbyaninvadingspirit,afterwhichundeniably "supernatural"phenomenabegintoappear[16].Inthe"charismaticrevival" thismomentoftransitionisidentifiedastheexperienceofthe"Baptismofthe HolySpirit,"which,whenitisgenuine,ispreciselythemomentwhenself deceptionbecomesdemonicdeception,andthe"charismatic"victimis virtuallyassuredthatfromthenonhisdeceived"religiousfeelings"can expectaresponsefromthe"Spirit"andhewillentera"lifeofmiracles."

TheNew"OutpouringoftheHolySpirit"

INGENERAL,followersofthe"charismaticrevival"havethefeelingofbeing (astheyconstantlyrepeat)"Spiritfilled.""Ifeltfree,cleanandanewperson andcompletelyfilledwiththeHolySpirit"(Ranaghan,p.98)."Becauseof whatwasbeguninthebaptismoftheSpirit,Ihavenowbeguntoseemorea visionofwhatlifeintheSpiritislike.Itistrulyalifeofmiraclesofbeingfilled overandoverwiththelifegivingloveoftheSpiritofGod"(Ranaghan,p.65). Theyinvariablycharacterizetheir"spiritual"stateinsimilarwords;aCatholic priestwrites,"Whateverotherparticulareffectsmayhaveoccurred,peace andjoyseemtohavebeenreceivedbyall,almostwithoutexception,ofthose whohavebeentouchedbytheSpirit"(Ranaghan,p.185).Oneinter denominational"charismatic"groupstatesthattheaimofitsmembersis"to showandspreadJesusChrist'sLove,JoyandPeacewherevertheyare" (InterChurchRenewal).Inthis"spiritual"state(inwhich,characteristically, bothrepentanceandsalvationareseldommentioned),somerisetogreat

heights.InoneCatholic,thegiftofthe"Spirit""hasrisenwithinmetolong periods(severalhours)ofnearecstasyinwhichIdswearIwasexperiencinga foretasteoftheKingdomofHeaven"(Ranaghan,p.103). Spectacularstoriesaretoldofdeliverancefromdrugaddictionandthelike. TheGreekpriestFr.EusebiusStephanousummarizesthis"spirituality"by quotingaRomanCatholicpriestwhostatesthatthe"charismatic"movement involves"anewsenseofthepresenceofGod,anewawarenessofChrist,a greaterdesiretopray,anabilitytopraiseGod,anewdesiretoreadthe Scriptures,theScripturescomingaliveastheWordofGod,aneweagerness tohaveothersknowaboutChrist,anewcompassionforothersanda sensitivenesstotheirneeds,anewsenseofpeaceandjoy..."AndFr.Eusebius presentstheultimateargumentofthewholemovement:"Thetreeisknown byitsfruits...Dothesefruitsdemonstratethepresenceofthedevilorofthe sanctifyingSpiritofChrist?NoOrthodoxinhisrightmindwhohasseenthe fruitsoftheSpiritwithhisowneyescangiveamistakenanswertothis question"(Logos,Jan.,1972,p.13). Thereisnoreasontodoubtanyofthistestimony.True,thereisalsomuch testimonywehavegivenafewexamplesthatcontradictsthisandstates definitelythatthe"spirit"ofthe"charismaticrevival"issomethingdarkand ominous;butstillitcannotbedoubtedthatmanyfollowersofthe "charismaticrevival"actuallyfeelthatitissomething"Christian"and "spiritual."AslongasthesepeopleremainoutsidetheOrthodoxChurch,we mightwellleavetheiropinionswithoutcomment.ButwhenanOrthodox priesttellsusthatsectarianphenomenaareproducedbytheHolySpirit,and heevenexhortsus:"Don'tbeleftout.Openyourhearttothepromptingsof theHolySpiritandbepartofthegrowingcharismaticrenewal"(loc.cit.) thenwehavetherightandthedutytoexaminetheiropinionsquiteclosely, judgingthemnotbythestandardofthevaguehumanist"Christianity"which prevailsintheWestandispreparedtocallanything"Christian"thatmerely "feels"so,butbythequitedifferentstandardofOrthodoxChristianity.And bythisstandardthereisnotoneitemintheabovelistof"spiritualfruits"but thatcanbe,andhasbeeninthesectarianandhereticalmovementsofthe past,producedbythedevilappearingasan"angeloflight,"preciselywith theaimofleadingpeopleawayfromtheChurchofChristintosomeotherkind of"Christianity."Ifthe"spirit"ofthe"charismaticrevival"isnottheHoly Spirit,thenthese"spiritualfruits"likewisearenotfromGod. AccordingtoBishopIgnatius,thedeceptionknownas"fancy"issatisfied withtheinventionofcounterfeitfeelingsandstatesofgrace,fromwhich

thereisbornafalse,wrongconceptionofthewholespiritualundertaking...It constantlyinventspseudospiritualstates,anintimatecompanionshipwith Jesus,aninwardconversationwithhim,mysticalrevelations,voices, enjoyments...Fromthisactivitythebloodreceivesasinful,deceiving movement,whichpresentsitselfasagracegivendelight...Itclothesitselfin themaskofhumility,piety,wisdom."Unlikethemorespectacularformof spiritualdeception,fancy,while"bringingthemindintothemostfrightful error,doesnothoweverleadittodelirium,"sothatthestatemaycontinuefor manyyearsorawholelifetimeandnotbeeasilydetected.Onewhofallsinto thiswarm,comfortable,feveredstateofdeceptionvirtuallycommitsspiritual suicide,blindinghimselftohisowntruespiritualstate.WritesBishop Ignatius:"Fancyingofhimself...thatheisfilledwithgrace,hewillnever receivegrace...Hewhoascribestohimselfgiftsofgracefencesofffrom himselfbythis'fancy'theentranceintohimselfofDivinegrace,andopens widethedoortotheinfectionofsinandtodemons.""Thousayest,Iamrich, andincreasedwithgoods,andhaveneedofnothing;andknowestnotthatthouart wretched,andmiserable,andpoor,andblind,andnaked"(Apoc.3:17) Thoseinfectedwiththe"charismatic"deceptionarenotonlythemselves "spiritfilled";theyalsoseearoundthemthebeginningofa"newage"ofthe "outpouringoftheHolySpirit,"believing,asdoesFr.EusebiusStephanou, that"theworldisonthethresholdofagreatspiritualawakening"(Logos, Feb.,1972,p.18);andthewordsoftheProphetJoelareconstantlyontheir lips:"IwillpouroutMySpirituponallflesh"(Joel2:28).TheOrthodox Christianknowsthatthisprophecyrefersingeneraltothelastagethatbegan withthecomingofourLord,andmorespecificallytoPentecost(Acts2),and toeveryOrthodoxSaintwhotrulypossessesinabundancethegiftsofthe HolySpiritsuchasSt.JohnofKronstadtandSt.NectariosofPentapolis, whohaveworkedthousandsofmiracleseveninthiscorrupt20thcentury. Buttotoday's"charismatics,"miraculousgiftsareforeveryone;almost everyonewhowantstocananddoesspeakintongues,andthereare manualstellingyouhowtodoit. ButwhatdotheHolyFathersoftheOrthodoxChurchteachus?Accordingto BishopIgnatius,thegiftsoftheHolySpirit"existonlyinOrthodoxChristians whohaveattainedChristianperfection,purifiedandpreparedbeforehandby repentance."They"aregiventoSaintsofGodsolelyatGod'sgoodwilland God'saction,andnotbythewillofmenandnotbyone'sownpower.They aregivenunexpectedly,extremelyrarely,incasesofextremeneed,byGod's wondrousprovidence,andnotjustatrandom'(St.IsaactheSyrian)."It shouldbenotedthatatthepresenttimespiritualgiftsaregrantedingreat

moderation,correspondingtotheenfeeblementthathasenveloped Christianityingeneral.Thesegiftsserveentirelytheneedsofsalvation.On thecontrary,'fancy'lavishesitsgiftsinboundlessabundanceandwiththe greatestspeed." Inaword,the"spirit"thatsuddenlylavishesits"gifts"uponthisadulterous generationwhich,corruptedanddeceivedbycenturiesoffalsebeliefand pseudopiety,seeksonlya"sign"isnottheHolySpiritofGod.Thesepeople haveneverknowntheHolySpiritandneverworshippedHim.True spiritualityissofarbeyondthemthat,tothesoberobserver,theyonlymock itbytheirpsychicandemotionalandsometimesdemonicphenomenaand blasphemousutterances.Oftruespiritualfeelings,writesBishopIgnatius, "thefleshlymancannotformanyconception:becauseaconceptionoffeeling isalwaysbasedonthosefeelingsalreadyknowntotheheart,whilespiritual feelingsareentirelyforeigntotheheartthatknowsonlyfleshlyand emotionalfeelings.Suchaheartdoesnotsomuchasknowoftheexistenceof spiritualfeelings."

TheSpiritoftheLastTimes:A"PentecostWithoutChrist"

THEHOLYSCRIPTURESandOrthodoxFathersclearlytellusthatthe characterofthelasttimeswillnotatallbeoneofagreatspiritual"revival,"of an"outpouringoftheHolySpirit,"butratheroneofalmostuniversal apostasy,ofspiritualdeceptionsosubtlethattheveryelect,ifthatwere possible,willbedeceived,ofthevirtualdisappearanceofChristianityfrom thefaceoftheearth."WhentheSonofmancometh,shallHefindfaithonthe earth?"(Luke18:8)Itispreciselyinthelasttimesthatsatanistobeloosed (Apoc.20:3)inordertoproducethefinalandgreatestoutpouringofevil upontheearth. The"charismaticrevival,"theproductofaworldwithoutsacraments, withoutgrace,aworldthirstingforspiritual"signs"withoutbeingableto discernthespiritsthatgivethesigns,isitselfa"sign"oftheseapostatetimes. Theecumenicalmovementitselfremainsalwaysamovementof"good intentions"andfeeblehumanitarian"gooddeeds";butwhenitisjoinedbya movementwith"power,"indeed"withallpowerandsignsandlyingwonders"(2 Thess.2:9),thenwhowillbeabletostopit?The"charismaticrevival"comesto therescueofaflounderingecumenism,andpushesitontoitsgoal.Andthis goal,aswehaveseen,isnotmerely"Christian"innaturethe"refoundingof theChurchofChrist,"tousetheblasphemousutteranceofPatriarch AthenagorasofConstantinoplethatisonlythefirststeptoalargergoal whichliesentirelyoutsideofChristianity:theestablishmentofthe"spiritual

unity"ofallreligions,ofallmankind. However,thefollowersofthe"charismaticrevival"believetheirexperienceis "Christian";theywillhavenothingtodowithoccultismandEastern religions;andtheydoubtlessrejectoutrightthewholecomparisoninthe precedingpagesofthe"charismaticrevival"withspiritism.Nowitisquite truethatreligiouslythe"charismaticrevival"isonahigherlevelthan spiritism,whichisaproductofquitegrosscredulityandsuperstition;thatits techniquesaremorerefinedanditsphenomenamoreplentifulandmore easilyobtained;andthatitswholeideologygivestheappearanceofbeing "Christian"notOrthodox,butsomethingthatisnotfarfromProtestant fundamentalismwithanadded"ecumenical"coloring. ThosewhobringChristianideastotheexperienceassumethatthe"Baptism intheHolySpirit"isaChristianexperience.Butifitcanbegiventothose whomerelyseekacheap,easystatusexperiencethenthereisnonecessary connectionwhateverbetweenthisexperienceandChrist.Theverypossibility ofanexperienceofa"PentecostwithoutChrist"meansthattheexperiencein itselfisnotChristianatall;"Christians,"oftensincereandwellmeaning,are readingintotheexperienceaChristiancontentwhichinitselfitdoesnot have. Dowenothaveherethecommondenominatorof"spiritualexperience" whichisneededforanewworldreligion?Isthisnotperhapsthekeytothe "spiritualunity"ofmankindwhichtheecumenicalmovementhassoughtin vain?

The"NewChristianity"

THEREMAYBETHOSEwhowilldoubtthatthe"charismaticrevival"isa formofmediumism;thatisonlyasecondaryquestionofthemeansor techniquebywhichthe"spirit"ofthe"charismaticrevival"iscommunicated. Butthatthis"spirit"hasnothingtodowithOrthodoxChristianityis abundantlyclear.Andinfactthis"spirit"followsalmosttotheletterthe "prophecies"ofNicholasBerdyaevconcerninga"NewChristianity."It completelyleavesbehindthe"monasticasceticspiritofhistorical Orthodoxy,"whichmosteffectivelyexposesitsfalsity.Itisnotsatisfiedwith the"conservativeChristianitywhichdirectsthespiritualforcesofmanonly towardscontritionandsalvation,"butrather,apparentlybelievinglike BerdyaevthatsuchaChristianityisstill"incomplete,"addsasecondlevelof "spiritual"phenomena,notoneofwhichisspecificallyChristianincharacter (althoughoneisfreetointerpretthemas"Christian"),whichareopento peopleofeverydenominationwithorwithoutrepentance,andwhichare

completelyunrelatedtosalvation.Itlooksto"anewerainChristianity,anew anddeepspirituality,whichmeansanewoutpouringoftheHolySpirit"in completecontradictionofOrthodoxtraditionandprophecy. Thisistrulya"NewChristianity"butthespecifically"new"ingredientin this"Christianity"isnothingoriginalor"advanced,"butmerelyamodern formofthedevil'sageoldreligionofshamanisticpaganism.TheOrthodox "charismatic"periodicalTheLogosrecommendsNicholasBerdyaevasa "prophet"preciselybecausehewas"thegreatesttheologianofspiritual creativeness"(Logos,March,1972,p.8).Andindeed,itispreciselythe shamansofeveryprimitivetribewhoknowhowtogetincontactwithand utilizetheprimordial"creative"powersoftheuniversethose"spiritsof earthandskyandsea"whichtheChurchofChristrecognizesasdemons,and inservingwhichitisindeedpossibletoattaintoa"creative"ecstasyandjoy (the"Nietzscheanenthusiasmandecstasy"towhichBerdyaevfeltsoclose) whichareunknowntothewearyandhalfhearted"Christians"whofallfor the"charismatic"deception.ButthereisnoChristhere.Godhasforbidden contactwiththis"creative,"occultrealmintowhich"Christians"have stumbledthroughignoranceandselfdeception.The"charismaticrevival" willhavenoneedtoentera"dialoguewithnonChristianreligions,"because, underthenameof"Christianity,"itisalreadyembracingnonChristian religionandisitselfbecomingthenewreligionwhichBerdyaevforesaw, strangelycombining"Christianity"andpaganism. Thestrange"Christian"spiritofthe"charismaticrevival"isclearlyidentified intheHolyScripturesandtheOrthodoxpatristictradition.Accordingto thesesources,worldhistorywillculminateinanalmostsuperhuman "Christian"figure,thefalsemessiahorantichrist.Hewillbe"Christian"inthe sensethathiswholefunctionandhisverybeingwillcenteronChrist,Whom hewillimitateineveryrespectpossible,andhewillbenotmerelythe greatestenemyofChrist,butinordertodeceiveChristianswillappeartobe Christ,cometoearthforasecondtimeandrulingfromtherestoredTemple inJerusalem. Letnoonedeceiveyoubyanymeans,forthatdayshallnotcomeexcept therecomeafallingaway(apostasy)first,andthatmanofsinberevealed, thesonofperdition,whoopposethandexaltethhimselfaboveallthatis calledGod,orthatisworshipped;sothatheasGodsittethinthetempleof God,showinghimselfthatheisGod...evenhimwhosecomingisafterthe workingofsatanwithalllyingwonders,andwithalldeceivablenessinthem thatperish;becausetheyreceivednottheloveofthetruth,thattheymightbe

saved.AndforthiscauseGodshallsendthemstrongdelusion,thatthey shouldbelievealie:thattheyallmightbedamnedwhobelievednotthe truth,buthadpleasureinunrighteousness(2Thess.2:34,912). TheOrthodoxteachingconcerningantichristisalargesubjectinitselfand cannotbepresentedhere.Butif,asthefollowersofthe"charismaticrevival" believe,thelastdaysareindeedathand,itisofcrucialimportanceforthe OrthodoxChristiantobeinformedofthisteachingconcerningonewho,as theSaviourHimselfhastoldus,togetherwiththe"falseprophets"ofthat time,shallshowgreatsignsandwonders,insomuchthat,ifitwerepossible, theyshalldeceivetheveryelect(Matt.24:24).Andthe"elect"arecertainlynot thosemultitudesofpeoplewhoarecomingtoacceptthegrossandmost unscripturaldelusionthat"theworldisonthethresholdofagreatspiritual awakening,"butratherthe"littleflock"towhichaloneourSaviourhas promised:ItisyourFather'sgoodpleasuretogiveyoutheKingdom(Luke 12:32).Eventhetrue"elect"willbesorelytemptedbythe"greatsignsand wonders"ofantichrist;butmost"Christians"willaccepthimwithoutany question,forhis"NewChristianity"ispreciselywhattheyseek.

"JesusisComingSoon"

JUSTINTHEPASTFEWYEARS,significantly,thefigureof"Jesus"hasbeen thrustintostrangeprominenceinAmerica.Onstageandinfilmslong standingprohibitionsagainstportrayingthepersonofChristhavebeen abrogated.Sensationallypopularmusicalspresentblasphemousparodiesof Hislife.The"JesusMovement,"whichwaslargely"charismatic"in orientation,spreadspectacularlyamongteenagersandyoungpeople.The crudestformofAmericanpopularmusicis"Christianized"atmass"Jesus RockFestivals,"and"Christian"tunesforthefirsttimeinthecenturybecome themostpopularintheland.Andunderlyingthiswholestrange conglomerationofsacrilegeandabsolutelyunenlightenedworldlinessisthe constantlyreiteratedexpressionofseeminglyeveryone'sexpectationand hope:Jesusiscomingsoon. Thecarefulobserverofthecontemporaryreligioussceneespeciallyin America,wherethemostpopularreligiouscurrentshaveoriginatedforover acenturycannotfailtonoticeaverydecidedairofchiliasticexpectation. Andthisisnotonlytrueof"charismatic"circles,butevenofthetraditionalist orfundamentalistcirclesthathaverejectedthe"charismaticrevival."Thus, manytraditionalistRomanCatholicsbelieveinthecomingofachiliastic"Age ofMary"beforetheendoftheworld,andthisisonlyonevariantonthemore widespreadLatinerroroftryingto"sanctifytheworld,"or,asArchbishop

ThomasConnollyofSeattleexpressedit[as]"transformingthemodernworld intotheKingdomofGodinpreparationforHisreturn."Protestant evangelistssuchasBillyGraham,intheirmistakenprivateinterpretationof theApocalypse,awaitthe"millennium"when"Christ"willreignonearth. OtherevangelistsinIsraelfindthattheirmillenarianinterpretationofthe "Messiah"isjustwhatisneededto"prepare"theJewsforhiscoming[17]. AndthearchfundamentalistCarlMcIntirepreparestobuildalifesize replicaoftheTempleofJerusaleminFlorida(nearDisneyworld!),believing thatthetimeisathandwhentheJewswillbuildthevery"Templetowhich theLordHimselfwillreturnasHepromised"(ChristianBeacon,Nov.11, 1971;Jan.6,1972). Thus,evenantiecumenistsfinditpossibletopreparetojointheunrepentant Jewsinwelcomingthefalsemessiahantichristincontrasttothefaithful remnantofJewswhowillacceptChristastheOrthodoxChurchpreaches Him,whentheProphetElijahreturnstoearth. ItisthereforenogreatconsolationforasoberOrthodoxChristianwhoknows theScripturalpropheciesconcerningthelastdays,whenheistoldbya "charismatic"Protestantministerthat,"It'sgloriouswhatJesuscandowhen weopenuptoHim.Nowonderpeopleofallfaithsarenowabletopray together"(HaroldBredesen,inLogosJournal,Jan.Feb.,1972,p.24);orbya CatholicPentecostalthatthemembersofallthedenominationsnow"beginto peeroverthosewallsofseparationonlytorecognizeineachothertheimage ofJesusChrist"(KevinRanaghaninLogosJournal,Nov.Dec.,1971,p.21). Which"Christ"isthisforwhomanacceleratedprogramofpsychologicaland evenphysicalpreparationisnowbeingmadethroughouttheworld?Isthis ourtrueGodandSaviourJesusChrist,WhofoundedtheChurchwherein menmayfindsalvation?OrisitthefalseChristwhowillcomeinhisownname (John5:43)anduniteallwhorejectorperverttheteachingoftheoneChurch ofChrist,theOrthodoxChurch? OurSaviourHimselfhaswarnedus:"Thenifanymanshallsayuntoyou,Lo, hereistheChrist,orthere;believeitnot.ForthereshallarisefalseChrists,andfalse prophets,andshallshowsignsandwonders,soastoleadastray,ifpossible,eventhe elect.BeholdIhavetoldyoubeforehand.Ifthereforetheyshallsayuntoyou,Behold, heisinthewilderness,gonotforth;Behold,heisintheinnerchambers,believeit not.Forasthelightningcomethforthfromtheeast,andisseenevenuntothewest, soshallbethecomingoftheSonofman"(Matt.24:2327). TheSecondComingofChristwillbeunmistakable:itwillbesudden,from heaven(Acts1:11),anditwillmarktheendofthisworld.Therecanbeno

"preparation"foritsaveonlytheOrthodoxChristianpreparationof repentance,spirituallife,andwatchfulness.Thosewhoare"preparing"forit inanyotherway,whosaythatheisanywhere"here"especially"here"inthe TempleofJerusalemorwhopreachthat"Jesusiscomingsoon"without warningofthegreatdeceptionthatistoprecedeHisComing:areclearlythe prophetsofantichrist,thefalseChristwhomustcomefirstanddeceivethe world,includingall"Christians"whoarenotordonotbecometruly Orthodox.Thereistobenofuture"millennium."Forthosewhocanreceiveit, the"millennium"oftheApocalypse(Apoc.20:6)isnow;thelifeofgracein theOrthodoxChurchforthewhole"thousandyears"betweentheFirst ComingofChristandthetimeofantichrist[18].ThatProtestantsshould expectthe"millennium"inthefutureisonlytheirconfessionthattheydonot liveinitinthepresentthatis,thattheyareoutsidetheChurchofChristand havenottastedofDivinegrace.

MustOrthodoxyJointheApostasy?

ITISTRUEENOUGH,tobesure,thatanOrthodoxawakeningwouldbe muchtobedesiredinourdays,whenmanyOrthodoxChristianshavelost thesaltoftrueChristianity,andthetrueandferventOrthodoxChristianlife isindeedrarelytobeseen.Modernlifehasbecometoocomfortable;worldly lifehasbecometooattractive;fortoomany,Orthodoxyhasbecomesimplya matterofmembershipinachurchorganizationorthe"correct"fulfillmentof externalritesandpractices.TherewouldbeneedenoughforatrueOrthodox spiritualawakening,butthisisnotwhatweseeintheOrthodox "charismatics."Justlikethe"charismatic"activistsamongProtestantsand RomanCatholics,theyarefullyinharmonywiththespiritofthetimes;they arenotinlivingcontactwiththesourcesoftheOrthodoxspiritualtradition, preferringthecurrentlyfashionableProtestanttechniquesofrevivalism.They areonewiththeleadingcurrentoftoday'sapostate"Christianity":the ecumenicalmovement. TherehavebeentrueOrthodox"awakenings"inthepast:onethinks immediatelyofSt.CosmasofAitolia,whowalkedfromvillagetovillagein 18thcenturyGreeceandinspiredthepeopletoreturntothetrueChristianity oftheirancestors;orSt.JohnofKronstadtinourowncentury,whobrought theageoldmessageofOrthodoxspirituallifetotheurbanmassesof Petersburg.ThentherearetheOrthodoxmonasticinstructorswhoweretruly "Spiritfilled"andlefttheirteachingtothemonasticsaswellasthelaymenof thelattertimes:onethinksoftheGreekSt.SymeontheNewTheologianin the10thcentury,andtheRussianSt.SeraphimofSarovinthe19th.St. SymeonisbadlymisusedbytheOrthodox"charismatics"(hewasspeakingof

aSpiritdifferentfromtheirs!);andSt.Seraphimisinvariablyquotedoutof contextinordertominimizehisemphasisonthenecessitytobelongtothe OrthodoxChurchtohaveatruespirituallife.Inthe"Conversation"ofSt. SeraphimwiththelaymanMotovilovonthe"acquisitionoftheHolySpirit" (whichtheOrthodox"charismatics"quotewithoutthepartshereitalicized), thisgreatSainttellsus:"ThegraceoftheHolySpiritwhichwasgiventous all,thefaithfulofChrist,intheSacramentofHolyBaptism,issealedbythe SacramentofChrismationonthechiefpartsofthebody,asappointedbythe HolyChurch,theeternalkeeperofthisgrace."Andagain:"TheLordlistens equallytothemonkandthesimpleChristianlayman,providedthatbothare Orthodox." AsopposedtothetrueOrthodoxspirituallife,the"charismaticrevival"is onlytheexperientialsideoftheprevailing"ecumenical"fashionacounterfeit ChristianitythatbetraysChristandHisChurch.NoOrthodox"charismatic" couldpossiblyobjecttothecoming"Union"withthoseveryProtestantsand RomanCatholicswithwhom,astheinterdenominational"charismatic"song goes,theyarealready"oneintheSpirit,oneintheLord,"andwhohaveled themandinspiredtheir"charismatic"experience.The"spirit"thathas inspiredthe"charismaticrevival"isthespiritofantichrist,ormoreprecisely those"spiritsofdevils"ofthelasttimeswhose"miracles"preparetheworld forthefalsemessiah.

"LittleChildren,itistheLastHour"(1John2:18)

OutsideofgenuineOrthodoxythedarkness...grows.Judgingfromthelatest "religious"news,the"charismaticrevival"maywellbeonlythefaint beginningofawhole"ageofmiracles."ManyProtestantswhohavediscerned thefraudofthe"charismaticrevival"nowacceptas"therealthing"the spectacular"revival"inIndonesiawhere,wearetold,therearereally occurring"theselfsamethingsthatonefindsreportedintheActsofthe Apostles."Inthespaceofthreeyears200,000paganshavebeenconvertedto Protestantismunderconstantlymiraculousconditions:Noonedoesanything exceptinabsoluteobedienceto"voices"and"angels"whoareconstantly appearing,usuallyquotingScripturebynumberandverse;wateristurned intowineeverytimetheProtestantcommunionservicecomesaround; detachedhandsappearfromnowheretodistributemiraculousfoodtothe hungry;awholebandofdemonsisseentoabandonapaganvillagebecause a"morepowerful"one("Jesus")hascometotaketheirplace;"Christians" havea"countdown"foranunrepentantsinner,andwhentheycometo"zero" hedies;childrenaretaughtnewProtestanthymnsbyvoicesthatcomefrom nowhere(andrepeatthesongtwentytimessothechildrenwillremember);

"God'staperecorder"recordsthesongofachildrenschoirandplaysitback intheairfortheastonishedchildren;firecomesdownfromtheskyto consumeCatholicreligiousimages("theLord"inIndonesiaisveryanti Catholic);30,000havebeenhealed;"Christ"appearsintheskyand"falls"on peopleinordertohealthem;peoplearemiraculouslytransportedfromplace toplaceandwalkonwater;lightsaccompanyevangelistsandguidethemat night,andcloudsfollowthemandgivethemshelterduringtheday:thedead areraised[19]. Interestingly,insomepartsoftheIndonesian"revival"theelementof "speakingintongues"isalmosttotallyabsentandisevenforbidden (althoughitispresentinmanyplaces),andtheelementofmediumismseems sometimestobereplacedbyadirectinterventionoffallenspirits.Itmaywell bethatthisnew"revival,"morepowerfulthanPentecostalism,isamore developedstageofthesame"spiritual"phenomenon(justasPentecostalism itselfismoreadvancedthanspiritism)andheraldstheimminenceofthe dreadfuldaywhen,asthe"voices"and"angels"inIndonesiaalsoproclaim, "theLord"istocomeforweknowthatantichristwillprovetotheworld thatheis"Christ"byjustsuch"miracles." Inanageofalmostuniversaldarknessanddeception,whenformost "Christians"ChristhasbecomepreciselywhatOrthodoxteachingmeansby antichrist,theOrthodoxChurchofChristalonepossessesandcommunicates thegraceofGod.Thisisapricelesstreasuretheveryexistenceofwhichisnot somuchassuspectedevenbythe"Christian"world.The"Christian"world, indeed,joinshandswiththeforcesofdarknessinordertoseducethefaithful oftheChurchofChrist,blindlytrustingthatthe"nameofJesus"willsave themevenintheirapostasyandblasphemy,mindlessofthefearfulwarning oftheLord:"ManywillsaytoMeinthatday,Lord,Lord,havewenotprophesied inThyname?andinThynamehavecastoutdevils?andinThynamedonemany wonderfulworks?AndthenwillIprofessuntothem,Ineverknewyou:departfrom Me,yethatworkiniquity"(Matt.7:2223). St.Paulcontinueshiswarningaboutthecomingofantichristwiththis command:"Therefore,brethren,standfast,andholdthetraditionswhichyehave beentaught,whetherbyword,orourepistle"(2Thess.2:15)."Therebesomethat troubleyou,andwouldperverttheGospelofChrist.Butthoughwe,oranangelfrom heaven,preachanyothergospeluntoyouthanthatwhichwehavepreachedunto you,lethimbeanathema.Aswesaidbefore,sosayInowagain:Ifanypreachany othergospeluntoyouthanthatyehavereceived,lethimbeanathema"(Gal.1:89). TheOrthodoxanswertoeverynew"revival,"andeventothefinalterrible

"revival"ofantichrist,isthisGospelofChrist,whichtheOrthodoxChurch alonehaspreservedunchangedinanunbrokenlinefromChristandHis Apostles,andthegraceoftheHolySpiritwhichtheOrthodoxChurchalone communicates,andonlytoherfaithfulchildren,whohavereceivedin Chrismation,andkept,thetruesealofthegiftoftheHolySpirit.Amen.

TheReligionoftheFuture

ITISDEEPLYINDICATIVEofthespiritualstateofcontemporarymankind thatthe"charismatic"and"meditation"experiencesaretakingrootamong "Christians."AnEasternreligiousinfluenceisundeniablyatworkinsuch "Christians,"butitisonlyasaresultofsomethingmuchmorefundamental: thelossoftheveryfeelingandsavorofChristianity,duetowhichsomething soalientoChristianityasEastern"meditation"cantakeholdof"Christian" souls. Thelifeofselfcenterednessandselfsatisfactionlivedbymostoftoday's "Christians"issoallpervadingthatiteffectivelysealsthemofffromany understandingatallofspirituallife;andwhensuchpeopledoundertake "spirituallife,"itisonlyasanotherformofselfsatisfaction.Thiscanbeseen quiteclearlyinthetotallyfalsereligiousidealbothofthe"charismatic" movementandthevariousformsof"Christianmeditation":allofthem promise(andgiveveryquickly)anexperienceof"contentment"and"peace." ButthisisnottheChristianidealatall,whichifanythingmaybesummedup asafiercebattleandstruggle.The"contentment"and"peace"describedin thesecontemporary"spiritual"movementsarequitemanifestlytheproduct ofspiritualdeception,ofspiritualselfsatisfactionwhichistheabsolute deathoftheGodorientedspirituallife.Alltheseformsof"Christian meditation"operatesolelyonthepsychiclevelandhavenothingwhateverin commonwithChristianspirituality.Christianspiritualityisformedinthe arduousstruggletoacquiretheeternalKingdomofHeaven,whichfully beginsonlywiththedissolutionofthistemporalworld,andthetrue Christianstrugglerneverfindsreposeevenintheforetastesofeternal blessednesswhichmightbevouchsafedtohiminthislife;buttheEastern religions,towhichtheKingdomofHeavenhasnotbeenrevealed,striveonly toacquirepsychicstateswhichbeginandendinthislife. Inourageofapostasyprecedingthemanifestationofantichrist,thedevilhas beenloosedforatime(Apoc.20:7)toworkthefalsemiracleswhichhecould notworkduringthe"thousandyears"ofGraceintheChurchofChrist(Apoc. 20:3),andtogatherinhishellishharvestofthosesoulswho"receivednotthe loveofthetruth"(2Thess.2:10).Wecantellthatthetimeofantichrististruly

nearbytheveryfactthatthissatanicharvestisnowbeingreapednotmerely amongthepaganpeoples,whohavenotheardofChrist,butevenmore among"Christians"whohavelostthesavorofChristianity.Itisofthevery natureofantichristtopresentthekingdomofthedevilasifitwereofChrist. Thepresentday"charismatic"movementand"Christianmeditation,"andthe "newreligiousconsciousness"ofwhichtheyarepart,areforerunnersofthe religionofthefuture,thereligionofthelasthumanity,thereligionof antichrist,andtheirchief"spiritual"functionistomakeavailableto Christiansthedemonicinitiationhithertorestrictedtothepaganworld.Letit bethatthese"religiousexperiments"arestilloftenofatentativeandgroping nature,thatthereisinthematleastasmuchpsychicselfdeceptionasthereis agenuinelydemonicinitiationrite;doubtlessnoteveryonewhohas successfully"meditated"orthinkshehasreceivedthe"BaptismoftheSpirit" hasactuallyreceivedinitiationintothekingdomofsatan.Butthisistheaim ofthese"experiments,"anddoubtlessthetechniquesofinitiationwillbecome evermoreefficientasmankindbecomespreparedforthembytheattitudes orpassivityandopennesstonew"religiousexperiences"whichare inculcatedbythesemovements. Whathasbroughthumanityandindeed"Christendom"tothisdesperate state?Certainlyitisnotanyovertworshipofthedevil,whichislimited alwaystoafewpeople;rather,itissomethingmuchmoresubtle,and somethingfearfulforaconsciousOrthodoxChristiantoreflecton:itisthe lossofthegraceofGod,whichfollowsonthelossofthesavorofChristianity. RomanCatholicsandProtestantstodayhavenotfullytastedofGod'sgrace, andsoitisnotsurprisingthattheyshouldbeunabletodiscernitsdemonic counterfeit.Butalas!Thesuccessofcounterfeitspiritualityevenamong OrthodoxChristianstodayrevealshowmuchtheyalsohavelostthesavorof ChristianityandsocannolongerdistinguishbetweentrueChristianityand pseudoChristianity.FortoolonghaveOrthodoxChristianstakenforgranted theprecioustreasureoftheirFaithandneglectedtoputintousethepure goldofitsteachings.HowmanyOrthodoxChristiansevenknowofthe existenceofthebasictextsofOrthodoxspirituallife,whichteachprecisely howtodistinguishbetweengenuineandcounterfeitspirituality,textswhich givethelifeandteachingofholymenandwomenwhoattainedanabundant measureofGod'sgraceinthislife?Howmanyhavemadetheirownthe teachingoftheLausiacHistory,theLadderofSt.John,theHomiliesofSt. Macarius,theLivesoftheGodbearingFathersofthedesert,UnseenWarfare, St.JohnofKronstadt'sMyLifeinChrist?

IntheLifeofthegreatFatheroftheEgyptiandesert,St.PaisiustheGreat (June19),wemayseeashockingexampleofhoweasyitistolosethegraceof God.OnceadiscipleofhiswaswalkingtoacityinEgypttosellhis handiwork.OnthewayhemetaJewwho,seeinghissimplicity,beganto deceivehim,saying:"Obeloved,whydoyoubelieveinasimple,crucified Man,whenHewasnotatalltheawaitedMessiah?Anotheristocome,but notHe."Thedisciple,beingweakinmindandsimpleinheart,begantolisten tothesewordsandallowedhimselftosay:"Perhapswhatyousayiscorrect." Whenhereturnedtothedesert,St.Paisiusturnedawayfromhimandwould notspeakasinglewordtohim.Finally,afterthediscipleslongentreaty,the Saintsaidtohim:"Whoareyou?Idonotknowyou.Thisdiscipleofmine wasaChristianandhaduponhimthegraceofBaptism,butyouarenotsuch aone;ifyouareactuallymydisciple,thenthegraceofBaptismhasleftyou andtheimageofaChristianhasbeenremoved."Thedisciplewithtears relatedhisconversationwiththeJew,towhichtheSaintreplied:"Owretched one!Whatcouldbeworseandmorefoulthansuchwords,bywhichyou renouncedChristandHisdivineBaptism?Nowgoandweepoveryourself asyouwish,foryouhavenoplacewithme;yournameiswrittenwiththose whohaverenouncedChrist,andtogetherwiththemyouwillreceive judgmentandtorments."Onhearingthisjudgmentthedisciplewasfilled withrepentance,andathisentreatytheSaintshuthimselfupandprayedto theLordtoforgivehisdisciplethissin.TheLordheardtheSaintsprayerand grantedhimtobeholdasignofHisforgivenessofthedisciple.TheSaintthen warnedthedisciple:"Ochild,givegloryandthanksgivingtoChristGod togetherwithme,fortheunclean,blasphemousspirithasdepartedfromyou, andinhisplacetheHolySpirithasdescendeduponyou,restoringtoyouthe graceofBaptism.Andso,guardyourselfnow,lestoutofslothand carelessnessthenetsoftheenemyshouldfalluponyouagainand,having sinned,youshouldinheritthefireofgehenna." Significantly,itisamong"ecumenicalChristians"thatthe"charismatic"and "meditation"movementshavetakenroot.Thecharacteristicbeliefofthe heresyofecumenismisthis:thattheOrthodoxChurchisnottheonetrue ChurchofChrist;thatthegraceofGodispresentalsoinother"Christian" denominations,andeveninnonChristianreligions;thatthenarrowpathof salvationaccordingtotheteachingoftheHolyFathersoftheOrthodox Churchisonly"onepathamongmany"tosalvation;andthatthedetailsof one'sbeliefinChristareoflittleimportance,asisone'smembershipinany particularchurch.NotalltheOrthodoxparticipantsintheecumenical movementbelievethisentirely(althoughProtestantsandRomanCatholics mostcertainlydo);butbytheirveryparticipationinthismovement,

includinginvariablycommonprayerwiththosewhobelievewronglyabout ChristandHisChurch,theytellthehereticswhobeholdthem:"Perhapswhat yousayiscorrect,"evenasthewretcheddiscipleofSt.Paisiusdid.Nomore thanthisisrequiredforanOrthodoxChristiantolosethegraceofGod;and whatlaboritwillcostforhimtogainitback! Howmuch,then,mustOrthodoxChristianswalkinthefearofGod, tremblinglesttheyloseHisgrace,whichbynomeansisgiventoeveryone, butonlytothosewhoholdthetrueFaith,leadalifeofChristianstruggle, andtreasurethegraceofGodwhichleadsthemheavenward.Andhowmuch morecautiouslymustOrthodoxChristianswalktodayaboveall,whenthey aresurroundedbyacounterfeitChristianitythatgivesitsownexperiencesof "grace"andthe"HolySpirit"andcanabundantlyquotetheScripturesandthe HolyFathersto"prove"it!Surelythelasttimesarenear,whentherewill comespiritualdeceptionsopersuasiveasto"deceive,ifitwerepossible,eventhe veryelect"(Matt.24:24). OrthodoxChristians!Holdfasttothegracewhichyouhave;neverletit becomeamatterofhabit;nevermeasureitbymerelyhumanstandardsor expectittobelogicalorcomprehensibletothosewhounderstandnothing higherthanwhatishumanorwhothinktoobtainthegraceoftheHolySpirit insomeotherwaythanthatwhichtheoneChurchofChristhashanded downtous.TrueOrthodoxybyitsverynaturemustseemtotallyoutofplace inthesedemonictimes,adwindlingminorityofthedespisedand"foolish," inthemidstofareligious"revival"inspiredbyanotherkindofspirit.Butlet ustakecomfortfromthecertainwordsofourLordJesusChrist:"Fearnot, littleflock,foritisyourFathersgoodpleasuretogiveyoutheKingdom"(Luke 12:32). LetalltrueOrthodoxChristiansstrengthenthemselvesforthebattleahead, neverforgettingthatinChristthevictoryisalreadyours.Hehaspromised thatthegatesofhellwillnotprevailagainstHisChurch(Matt.16:18),and thatforthesakeoftheelectHewillcutshortthedaysofthelastgreat tribulation(Matt.24:22).Andintruth,"IfGodbeforus,whocanbeagainstus?" (Rom.8:31).Eveninthemidstofthecruelesttemptations,weare commandedtobeofgoodcheer;Ihaveovercometheworld(John16:33).Letus live,evenastrueChristiansofalltimeshavelived,inexpectationoftheend ofallthingsandthecomingofourdearSaviour;for"Hethatgivethtestimony ofthesethingssaith:SurelyIcomequickly.Amen.Come,LordJesus"(Apoc.22:20).

Endnotes
1. Burdick,DonaldW.TonguesToSpeakornottoSpeak.MoodyPress,1969.

2. Christenson,Larry.SpeakinginTongues.DimensionBooks,Minneapolis,1968. 3. DuPlessis,DavidJ.TheSpiritBadeMeGo.LogosInternational,Plainfield,NewJersey,1970. 4. Ford,J.Massingherd.ThePentecostalExperience.PaulistPress,N.Y.,1970. 5. Gelpi,DonaldL.,S.J.Pentecostalism,ATheologicalViewpoint.PaulistPress,N.Y.,1971. 6. Harper,Michael.LifeintheHolySpirit.LogosBooks,Plainfield,N.J.,1966. 7. Koch,Kurt.TheStrifeofTongues.KregelPublications,GrandRapids,1969. 8. Lilli,D.G.TonguesunderFire.FountainTrust,London,1966. 9. Ortega,Ruben,compiler.TheJesusPeopleSpeakOut.DavidC.CookPublishingCo.,Elgin,III., 1972. 10. Ranaghan,Kevin;Ranaghan,Dorothy.CatholicPentecostals.PaulistPress,1969. 11. Sherrill,JohnL.TheySpeakwithOtherTongues.SpireBooks,OldTappan,N.J.,1965. 12. Williams,J.Rodman.TheEraoftheSpirit.LogosInternational,1971. 13. PatKing.inLogosJournal,Sept.Oct.,1971,p.50.This"internationalcharismaticjournal" shouldnotbeconfusedwithFr.E.Stephanou'sLogos. 14. Mostbookswillbecitedonlybyauthorandpagenumber.Fullbibliographicalinformation issuppliedattheend. 15. BishopTheophantheRecluseWhatistheSpiritualLife,Jordanville,NewYork,1962,pp247 8(inRussian);Englishedition,St.HermanofAlaskaBrotherhood,Platina,Calif.,1995,p. 282.Fr.EusebiusStephanou(Logos,Jan.,1972,p.13)attemptstojustifythepresentday "receptionoftheHolySpirit"outsidetheChurchbycitingtheaccountofthehouseholdof CorneliustheCenturion(Acts10),whichreceivedtheHolySpiritbeforeBaptism.Butthe differenceinthetwocasesiscrucial:thereceptionoftheHolySpiritbyCorneliusandhis householdwasthesignthattheyshouldbejoinedtotheChurchbyBaptism,whereas contemporaryPentecostalsbytheirexperienceareonlyconfirmedintheirdelusionthat thereisnoonesavingChurchofChrist. 16. SeeBurdick,pp.6667. 17. V.P.ByLov,TikhiePriyuty,Moscow1913.pp.I168170. 18. SeeKurtKoch,OccultBondageandDeliverance,KregelPublications,GrandRapids, Michigan,1970,pp.l68170. 19. KurtKoch,BetweenChristandSatan,KregelPublications,1962,p.124.ThisbookandDr. KochsOccultBondageofferaremarkableconfirmation,basedon20thcenturyexperience,of virtuallyeverymanifestationofmediumism,magic,sorcery,etc.,thatisfoundintheHoly ScripturesandtheOrthodoxLivesofSaintsthesourceofallofwhich,ofcourse,isthe devil.OnonlyafewpointswilltheOrthodoxreaderhavetocorrecthisinterpretations. 20. SimonA.BlackmoreS.J,SpiritismFactsandFrauds,BenzigerBros.,NewYork,1924: ChapterIV,"Mediums,"pp.89105passim. 21. OnOralRoberts.seeKurtKoch,OccultBondage,pp.5255. 22. RonaldA.Knox,Enthusiasm,AChapterintheHistoryofReligion, Oxford(GalaxyBook),196l, pp.550551. 23. SeeTheOrthodoxWord,1965,no.4,pp.155158. 24. ConferenceXV:2,inOwenChadwick,WesternAsceticism,Philadelphia,WestminsterPress, 1958,p.258. 25. WilsonVanDusen,ThePresenceofOtherWorlds,HarperandRow,NewYork,1974,pp.120 125. 26. SeeI.H.Lewis,EcstaticReligion,AnAnthropologicalStudyofSpiritPossessionandShamanism, PenguinBooks,Baltimore,1971,pp.45,88.156etc.,andillustration9. 27. StaretsMacariusofOptina,Harbin,1940,p.100(inRussian).(cf.ElderMacariusofOptina, St.HermanofAlaskaBrotherhood,Platina,Calif.,1995,p.326). 28. SeeBlackmore,Spiritism,pp.144175,whereanexampleisgivenofaCatholicpriestwho wasphysicallypursuedbyaouijaboard(propelled,ofcourse,byademon)whenhetried togiveupusingit!

SeeforexampleGordonLindsay,Israel'sDestinyandtheComingDeliverer,Christforthe NationsPub.Co.,Dallas,Texas,pp.2830. 30. SuchistheOrthodoxteachingofSts.BasiltheGreat.GregorytheTheologian,Andrewof Caesarea,andmanyotherFathers.SeeArchbishopAverky,GuidetotheStudyoftheNew Testament.PartII(inRussian),Jordanville,NewYork,1956,pp.434438.(cf.TheApocalypse: IntheTeachingofAncientChristianity,St.HermanofAlaskaBrotherhood,Platina,Calif., 1995,pp.2534. SeeKurtKoch,TheRevivalinIndonesia,KregelPublications,1970;andMelTari,LikeaMightyWind. CreationHouse,CarolStream,Illinois,1971. 29.

Вам также может понравиться