If what we see in radio, TV and print is any indication, then this Christianity Today article might be on target. They state what seemed obvious to many Pentecostals, just ten years ago.
Pentecostals, it is said, believe that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The charismatic gift was at the center of Charles Parham’s Bible school revival in 1901 and William Seymour’s Azusa Street phenomenon in 1906. It is, after all, one of the main reasons for the name Pentecostals (see Acts 2). But in an October survey from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, at least 40 percent of Pentecostals in six of the ten countries surveyed said they had never prayed or spoken in tongues. Only half of U. S. Pentecostals had spoken in tongues.
However,
As common as belief in miraculous gifts, however, is faith in the prosperity gospel. Renewalists overwhelmingly agree that "God will grant material prosperity to all believers who have enough faith." In Nigeria, 95 percent of Pentecostals agree with that statement, and 97 percent agree that "God will grant good health and relief from sickness to believers who have enough faith." In the Philippines, 99 percent of Pentecostals agreed with the latter statement.
Finally,
But for now, as the Pew Forum survey shows, Pentecostalized Christianity is nearly synonymous with the prosperity gospel. So while we listen to our brothers and sisters, we also need to proclaim biblical truths that counter the "health and wealth" message. The spiritual gift most needed in the 21st century is the gift of discernment (1 Cor. 12:10).
This is disturbing to say the least. For years this has been my beef with the "popular" side of the Pentecostal movement. Although there has been discernment among some schools, seminaries and missionary endeavors; there has been such a lax and conformity to every theological wind that blows their way. I have always said that some Pentecostal entities in Spanish speaking countries (as far as I know), eat off of the theological breadcrumbs that fall off of the American doctrinal table. Let me qualify this: Aberrant movements such as the laughter, gold teeth, laughing, spitting, howling in the spirit, oil and gold rain, etc. etc become popular, then die out and finally resurrect somewhere in Mexico or Latin America. Now, with the new "Guttenberg," (mediums) these practices take an immediate life of their own through the use of internet, radio and TV.
This new "bling" gospel affects churches and families alike. The assumption that something is wrong with you if you are not rich is a common denominator among a lot of churches. Sola “bling” seems to be one of the "new" funnymentals of the Christian faith. That is why we have fallen into irrelevance before the world and the treasure chest of our faith has been sunk by the weight of the bullions of prosperity. I wonder what penalty we will get for asking before our retirement for our spiritual 401k. Furthermore, I also thought that our "treasures in heaven" were meant for heaven and not earth. I wonder if there is more to the prodigal son than just the return of the "lost one." If his asking for his inheritance before his time teaches us anything, then, at the very least, it is a sign of the troubles my brethren might similarly fall into.
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I like the prodigal son reference because it might indeed shed some light as to what unites pentecostals. i am a self exiled former pentecostal. “BLING” gospel is precisely the problem. The masses always seek to attain what the elites have. Charlatains and money hungry seducers know this and offer the masses this bling gospel. As an added bonus how about the emotionalism, publically displayed to replace righteousness (NOOOO im not talking the AG definiotn of the word which means, tie, bible in hand and always saying”AMEN” and speaking in tongues.) i mean the good hopitality of your neighbor, to be just, to seek to help the less fotunate, to be in awe n reverence of God, to obey. Pentecostals offer an easy way out of the suffering brought by the torment caused by the tree of knowledge of good n evil, and its submission to an “annointed leader” and repeated almost orgasmic sessions of “the presence of God” in church services. “Tapar el sol con un solo dedo” is easier with being a pentecostal, just show up, talk alot, give, and go home. Their is no attempt to change society for the better as in the sciences, arts or literature only the foolish attempt to win people over with emotional appeals, or shaming them into submission. “BLING” in society serves as a point of purchase display of power n status, pentecostals do the same with every gesture, every word, and action. They display “power” but their homes, and lives fall prey to anything more emotionally stimulating. If not they distance themselves completely from their world, not being able to enjoy any company of a sinner. As the prodigal son envies the first son’s position as favorite and maybe with the birthright to guide the fathers kingdom, the older son will always envy the youngers son freedom to revel and still receive its benefits. The prodigal son still hasnt come yet, he just found the “good friends” who are his because of his money and resources. Wait until the money runs out, or he is enlightened, the friends will kick him to the curb. OVer and over i have seen pentecostal autocracies do this, money talks and if you seem to be a free thinker not following church rules it is better you leave as to not corrupt the status quo. WOW doest sound like the father who ran to the prodigal son and met him where he was at, reclothed him and gave him the best of the house. What is God’s ultiimate gift? NOt Bling, but the ability to think
The Prodigal son i believe leaves because it envies the older son’s position as most favored, or with more responsibilty. This differnce might not even exist but it is how it perceived by the yougner son. This is how i view the masses when they are introduced to pentecostalism. They seek to make a name for themselves in the Christian world. Do not see the trap of being in a foreign land, where they leave their homes and traditional ways e.g. spanish speaking peoples who only years ago were hunting in jungles and already had awesome family stregthening customs. They leave their homes to be met by the “good friends” who only party with them because of their money and resources. ENTER the pentecostals. They are the friends of the foregin lands who party with the prodigal songs. A party being the removal of the senses, of what is real, by the use of alcohol or other substances to being about a childlike shameless gathering of goodtimes. And who benefits? the “good” friends. Emotionalism of the pentecostals is not far from being drunk at a party, I know both extremes, lol And them money keep changing hands. And when the familiy structure is devoid of its money, it is left to the pig pens of society, the fattest laziest animal. Not edible containing dangerous diseases to man. Pentecostals find themselves sleeping in the wastelands of a producive society— having no influence over their world or society because they rather be preachers, prayer warriors, deacons, or human video experts, oh and worship leaders the funniest of them all. But they can return to the house of the father, reclothed and given the best of the best. That real bling placed upon the prodigal songs finger showing true power and inheritance now on earth n heaven. As older songs we must be willing to take in those want to come back, I believe it is to come back to the suffering of thinkign and questioning. We cannot think we are greater or be like what Socrates said in Plato’s Republic ” a philosopher just wanting to be left alone”.
