The Conservative Charismatic

Several years ago, I coined the phrase “conservative charismatic” to apply to myself and other Christians who might share the same view. At the time, I wasn’t sure if anyone else had been using the phrase (and I’m uncertain if anyone uses it now) in mainstream Christendom. Nevertheless, I use it to this day and believe it’s a helpful and needed categorization. With all the additional contextual baggage that these two words contain individually (conservative and charismatic) in modern society, I believe together they provide depth of meaning and clarity at a time when such concepts are sorely needed. 

Explaining “Conservative Charismatic”

Allow me to first state that when I use the word “conservative” here, it has nothing to do with political conservatism (i.e., GOP or Republican). No, when I mention “conservative” in the phrase conservative charismatic, I’m referring to a more general meaning. In this context, I mean being inclined to preserve existing views or positions and being marked by moderation and caution (Merriam-Webster Dictionary online).

As for “charismatic,” this is not the general use of the word—i.e., someone with charm or a knack for connecting with others—but this usage is a standard one in Christian parlors. From the Greek word for “gift,” χαρισμα (charisma),¹ it’s used to describe those within Christianity who believe that the supernatural gifts such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, healing, words of knowledge, etc. are active within the church today. Opposite cessationists, charismatic (or continuationist) simply represents all those across denominational lines who believe that God still operates in supernatural ways today as He did during biblical times.

Essentially, being a conservative charismatic is foremost about being a Christian and holding tightly to a sober, biblical approach towards the gifts and their supernatural operation. Many of the objections towards charismatics from other Christians and charismatics alike surround the rampant unbiblical abuses in some charismatic circles (see here). Therefore, please take note, when I address some of these charismatic abuses and distance myself from such using the phrase “conservative charismatic,” it is not meant to be reflective of all charismatics.  Instead, it expresses my personal experience and observations in order to support why I believe conservative charismatic is a welcome qualifier, distinguishing those who are committed to biblical Christianity from those who pervert Christianity through unbiblical charismatic practices (rf. Phi. 3:18-19).

A Conservative Charismatic in Practice

So, what does this idea mean in application? It means some of what I’ve experienced and what seems normative in charismatic circles, isn’t biblical (1 Thess. 5:21).  It means I’m all for the gifts of the Spirit and have no biblical reason to believe they’re no longer in operation, but…

• …the Scriptures are preeminent, always taking priority over any “hearing from God” (i.e., if one hears something from God and it contradicts the Scripture, then the one hearing from God is always wrong and the Scripture is always right).
• …signs and wonders never excuse an unfaithful and disobedient life (Matt. 7:21-27).
• …gifts need to operate biblically…first, according to what’s prescribed in the Scripture and, second, judiciously according to what’s described in the Scripture.
• …inaccurate prophecy is not of God and must be repented of (it may also be a sign that one is a false prophet; see Deut. 18:22).
• …prophecies that are frequently prosperity-related and/or rarely contain warnings should be viewed with caution.
• …tongues must have an interpreter and clear interpretation. Otherwise, it should be kept private and unheard by others (1 Cor. 14:13 & 1 Cor. 14:27-28).
• …tongues in Acts were actual foreign languages (Acts 2:4-7).
• …any methods of “deliverance” from demonic oppression not based directly on Scripture may be helpful but aren’t absolute (e.g., splashing holy water or anointing oil may be helpful, but since it’s not commanded in Scripture, it cannot be commanded as an absolute now).
• …creative “supernatural” activities that are abusive, false, or in “bad taste” in modern times should also be rejected (e.g., grave soaking/sucking, spitting on/punching/kicking people for healing, fire tunnels, etc.).
• …those acting with arrogant, gnostic-like, superior knowledge because of their gifts commit sin and may need to be addressed or avoided (see 1 Cor. 8:1).
• …if one subscribes to a distinction among being Spirit-filled, indwelt by the Spirit, and/or the baptism of the Spirit, then they must still maintain that all Christians have the Spirit upon conversion, or they err in their teaching according to Scripture (Rom. 8:9).
• …gifts that take preeminence over the gospel message, the Bible, and/or the preached word are out of order and warrant possible avoidance (see 1 Cor. 15:3).
• …gifts that emphasize the individual and not the Lord Jesus should be rejected (see 1 Cor. 1:12-13).
• …while I can’t say the idea of being slain in the Spirit, laughing in the Spirit, or other activities “in the Spirit” are wrong, I don’t see a biblical precedent, and such ideas should be viewed with caution coupled with grace.
• …forcefully and physically pushing people when “laying hands” is a sure sign that the Holy Spirit did not perform that act.
• …an overemphasis on spiritual-sounding language in overdrive (e.g., anointing, the atmosphere, fresh winds, spiritual parenthood) should be met with caution.
• …emphasis on absolute, unquestionable spiritual authority of a leader should be met with caution.²

So, that’s what it means in a nutshell for me to be a conservative charismatic. Although it’s probably not an exhaustive list of things that make up or limit what I mean by the phrase, this post captures the essence of the phrase’s meaning–i.e., cautious moderation regarding the supernatural, coupled with maintaining a high view of Scripture. While I may only be one of a few who uses this phrasing, I have no doubts there are countless Christians who are fatigued with the modern charismatic abuses that give a bad name to sincere, well-meaning Christians and give opponents of the view an easy target for mockery and criticism. May this conservative charismatic view—the one that esteems the Bible above all—catch fire (no pun intended) in serious charismatic circles even if the phrasing does not.

1. This word for gift is explicitly used in 1 Cor. 12:8-10, a passage that directly cites supernatural gifts in the Christian church.

2. This improper power dynamic occurs outside of charismatic circles, but when combined with the other charismatic abuses it’s especially difficult to address even if someone is a member within the leadership of a charismatic church or organization.