While we're discussing "pop theology" I want to bring up a topic that I haven't seen addressed in articles on the Charasmatic Movement. The phenomena of "being slain in the Spirit" is a fallacy that seems to be the crowning disachievement of the CM.
My own father is a pastor of a Protestant Church (imagine his dismay when his son went Catholic) and he believes in this kind of ministry. I said that nowhere in scripture can this be found as a tradition of the early church, and he gave referrence to the guards of Jesus Tomb that were rendered unconscious, and to the posse that fell prostrate when Jesus said, "I am."
God bless him, and I love my dad so much! But when I mentioned that these were all the enemies of Christ and that there is no account of believers being so affected by the Spirit, he could offer no further defense of the practice, but held that it was not harmful and in fact very beneficial to receive a touch by the Holy Spirit.
It is my experience that when the Spirit of God touches me I am more aware than ever before, not less, and that this touch happens when I draw near to God in worship, not seeking an undue spiritual experience. And it happens at God's own discretion and pleasure, not at my expectation.
"That the Church of Christ may be guided by the Holy Spirit into all truth as promised by our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray to the Lord."
