Stages of the Pentecostal-Tongues Movement

 

Most denominations have a specialty doctrine or practice that differentiates them from others. For the Charismatics that’s tongues.  But movements aren’t static: what is “required” in one era can become an “option” in another and eventually might not even be believed at all. As I’ve watched the Pentecostal-tongues movement since the 1960s I’ve noticed them move through several stages in their insistence on tongues:

 

1. REQUIRED: “You must have it.” It is so vital that every Christian should seek it—how could you even last as a Christian very long if you refuse to go on?

 

2. BONUS: “You should have it.” Sure, you might be a Christian without it but it is such a powerful experience, why would you not go on?

 

3. OPTION: “Some have it.” Not everyone has it or even should seek it, but it is a true experience and some really do have it.

 

4. DOUBT:  “Some say they have it.”  We still believe it on the books and I’ve met those who claim to have it, and I doubt it is real.

 

5. FALSE: “It simply doesn’t exist.” I don’t think there’s anything to it—those who claim it are deceiving themselves. 

 

I’ve watched sections of the Pentecostal-tongues movement journey from stage 1 all the way to stage 4 (and even a few at stage 5). Tongues isn’t demanded like it used to be, even by Pentecostals. But this column is not about the Pentecostal-tongues movement. It is about other movements who have a specialty doctrine or practice. Is this journey similar for them too?  For instance, the holiness movement’s specialty was “entire sanctification”…. I’m wondering this week which stage the Methodists, Free Methodists, Nazarenes, Wesleyans are in their journey regarding belief in Entire Sanctification?

 

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Keith Drury September 20, 2011
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