An analysis and evaluation of the anoiting with the spirit in charismatic movements : a reformed assessment

Abstract

This research has attempted to discover the ethos and characteristics of the anointing with the Spirit of the Charismatic movements with the reformed assessment. It has been studied how the exegetical interpretation and Scriptural theology of the anointing with the Spirit relate to the systematic reformed theology.

This study has indicated the key notion of this research, “the anointing with the Spirit” in Ancient Near Eastern Literature and in Scripture. The biblical foundation of the Reformed tradition on the notion of this research has been investigated and Christian reflection on the anointing with the Spirit has historically been investigated. The church’s dogmata of the anointing with the Spirit examined throughout the history of the church as well as whether the anointing with the Spirit in the Charismatic movement was implicated in the Reformed tradition. Whether the Reformed tradition disallowed all supernatural phenomena has also been examined, and what their concept is of the anointing with the Spirit.

The debates between charismatic and reformed perspectives on the theological characteristics of the anointing with the Spirit have been compared. Essential to the argument is the nature and characteristics of the Charismatic movement in relation to the anointing with the Spirit, in which the unique experiences of the Spirit and their response to the world is demonstrated.

The explored issues are systematically recapitulated and evaluated to be resolved. Four systematic spheres are examined with different hermeneutical approaches: the biblical and theological pneumatology; soteriology, in which the anointing with the Spirit is to be applied; promulgated eschatology that entails the characteristics of the missio Spiritus and the extent of the establishment of God’s kingdom in connection with the anointing with the Spirit, and finally mandated ecclesiology that requires responsibilities and commitments of those who are endowed with the charismata of the Spirit in the sphere of all contemporary areas.

The anointing with the Spirit is related to soteriological aspect, authentic repentance is preconditioned to be gifted the charismata of the Spirit (Acts 2:38-40). Unlikely the pneumatological concept of the Charismatic movements, it is not only a means to achieve the God’s redemptive task, but also a resolution to prepare a residence for the God the Spirit in the hearts of the believers. Consequently sanctification should be the centred-ethos in the manifestation and application of the charismata of the Spirit in the Charismatic movements. The Charismatic believe that the anointing with the Spirit is the presence of God. However, the sanctifying characteristics, which come through God’s presence, are scarcely demonstrated in the life of the Charismatic believers. In the eschatological perspective, this research unveils the anointing with Spirit, poured upon the body of the Anointed One, is for eschatological completion, confirming the godly guarantee of his physical presence of the Anointed One by indwelling of his Spirit in and among their eschatological sanctuary. Simultaneously the anointing with the Spirit is perceived as a reality to encounter the upcoming dreadful judgment day of the Lord which will occur to the world. Justification and sanctification are essential requirements to face those days. Then the anointing with the Spirit in the Charismatic movement is by no means operated only for the present prosperity gospel. Eschatological imminence should be the foundational theology for both the Reformed and the Charismatic traditions. In assessment and evaluation of the Charismatic movements, this research analyses the cohorts of the Charismatic have ostensibly collapsed into a predicament over the intuitive characteristics due to the deficiency of its confirmation with the authority of Scripture in the process of charismatic manifestations of the Spirit. Some Charismatics blunder into a deception since they incline to shape their ethos on emotional and sensational experience, rather than to formulate these experiences in response to the authentic truth of Scripture. In this regards, this research indicates the Charismatics is to revise their dogmata according to Scripture. If spirituality is correlated to the knowledge of God through his Spirit, then the experience of genuine spirituality must be joined to what is meant by the truth of the Spirit. Nevertheless in search for the charismatic anointing with the Spirit, this study does not disregard the essential function of both inspirational intuition and rational conception to form their theology and beliefs on Scriptural foundation. The Reformed contends that they should eliminate the insecure and instinctive category of procedures and solemnly rely on the adequacy and exclusivity of Scriptural authority. The Charismatics believe that such knowledge is not seriously dissimilar to the imperfect nature of contemporary causes. However, both perspectives require some consideration. The instruction of the essence either repeats Scripture either Scriptural or is invalid. Finally this investigation illustrates some contributions of the Charismatic movement that entails the revitalized crucial function of the charismata with manifestations of the Spirit for individual edification, energetic communal worship, and influential evangelism and particularly the contextualization in communication with other society and community in evangelism in the areas of the missio Spiritus, eschatology, and experience.