<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]What is right about it?</font><hr></blockquote><p><br>An appreciation for supernaturalism. While there is definitely excess, Pentecostals cannot be accused of having a deistic conception of God. While the dispensation of charisms in our time is debatable, Pentecostals should be commended for their belief that God still continues to use his Spirit for the edification of the believer.<br><br><blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]What is wrong with it?</font><hr></blockquote><p><br>The elevation of experience over reason. Most Pentecostals are guilty of the same error of the Pietists: the divorcing the head from the heart.<br><br><blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]What is its history, or lack thereof? </font><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>Within Pentecostalism, there have been three predominant movements: classical Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement, and "the third wave". <br><br>Classical Pentecostalism was an offshoot of the Holiness movement, and its seminal figures were William Seymour and Charles Parham. While the Holiness movement states that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is achieved through perfection, the Pentecostals stated that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was an objective experience. However, because of the quick growth of the Pentecostal movement during its infant stages, classical Pentecostal theology tended to fluctuate. Thus, there are three streams of theology within classical Pentecostalism. There is Oneness Pentecostalism (ex. United Pentecostal Church and T.D. Jakes) which subscribes to modalism; there is Holiness Pentecostalism (ex. Pentecostal Holiness Church and Smith Wigglesworth) which believes that spiritual gifts only occur ofter one has attained personal holiness; there is Baptist Pentecostalism which believes that spiritual gifts are available to all (ex. Assemblies of God and Oral Roberts).<br><br>The charismatic movement started in the '60s. The catalyst was when Dennis Bennett, an Episcopal priest, announced to his congregation that he had received the gift of tongues. From this, the charismatic movement spread to virtually every denomination, including Catholic and Reformed. Unlike Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement never spawned many denominations, although a few denominations are known to exist (Charismatic Episcopal Communion). Amongst those who call themselves charismatic are Chuck Colson (who is Baptist) and Michael Green (who is Anglican). As well, charismatics do not believe you must speak in tongues in order to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit -- they believe it happens at conversion.<br><br>Finally, there is the "Third Wave" that was spawned in the '80s. It's biggest proponents were C. Peter Wagner of Fuller Seminary, and John Wimber (founder of the Vineyard denomination). The "Third Wave" emphasizes signs and wonders, especially in regards to evangelism, than do both the classical Pentecostals and charismatics. As well, most of them come from a dispensational background, as is reflected on their emphasis on "latter rain" (which the Assemblies of God pronounced to be heretical).<br><br>With all that said, my sympathies lie more with the charismatics.
