Christianity Today

Perhaps Jesus analysis about the importance of scripture applies here. He told the Pharisees that "Ye do err, knowing neither the scriptures nor the power of God". Once again, we have folk taking apart what God intended to be together -- both Word and Spirit. Biblical knowledge or theological erudition is good but not enough. Practical pentecostal power is also good but not enough. When will both sides recognize the logs in their own eyes before attempting mote surgery on the other? It's not either/or, it needs to be both/and. We must know BOTH the scriptures AND the power of God. For too long we have pulled into our various camps defending our version of "truth" and missing the reality in front of our eyes. May God grant us the vision of a truly full gospel -- one that embraces sound teaching, has a grasp of the working of God in history & culture, manifests pentecostal power, adn exists as a community that doesn't depend on worldly paradigms of money and power.

The author states: "We need a new generation of Latin American (and Asian and African) theologians who know the Scriptures and how to interpret them in order to avoid the theological anarchy—both indigenous and imported—that reigns in our midst." Sorry, theological anarchy also exists in the northern hemisphere, with well educated pastors preaching all manner of things and denominational theology all over the map. This is the fruit of the reformation: church splits, proliferating denominations, and no coherent theology. Quite honestly, Protestantism was dead on arrival, with it's intrinsic logic working itself out in ever more destructive ways.

Surprise, surprise. The author did not bother to interview one Latin American Pentecostal theologian even though they are quite numerous and well published. Christianity Today wreaks of Reformed (I mean Evangelical) rationalist bias all the way down the line. Mentioning the solas without even bothering to contextualize them as though there was some common agreement even in the first decade of the Reformation. Don't you recall Luther and Zwingli fighting it out over the interpretation of scripture with Luther suggesting that Zwingli's death was the judgment of God? Don't you remember the Reformed and Lutherans going at each other with Reformed folks even to this day talking about a "second" Reformation in Heidelberg by which they mean away from Lutheranism? Talk about disconnected from history. Do you honestly think you can offer an ahistorical read of the solas and in the next breath blame Pentecostalism for being ahistorical? Sheer blindness.

Very good text and reflection on the theme, thank you! I'm going to translate it into portuguese and share with our brothers here in Brazil, if there's no problem? Blessings, in Him Pastor Lucas André Albrecht Campus Chaplain/Parish Pastor The Lutheran University of Brazil (Ulbra) Canoas, RS, BRAZIL. pastorlucas@ulbra.br

Pentecostalism is a bizarre, heretical cult. In Latin America, the Pentecostals have managed to be even more bizarre and heretical. Who are their converts but a mass of poor, uneducated peasants, who were bribed into their churches with material goodies and an automatic family- exactly like what they do in the USA with our own uneducated peasants in Wal-mart country. These sects will not retain the allegiance of these people- cults never do. I believe that once their sub-par music loses its lustre, they will return to the one true Church from which they fled- the church Christ established- teh Catholci Church.

Pentecostalism itself is a cult. The Pentecostalism popular in Latin America has managed to make this bizarre movement even more heretical and ridiculous. What do you expect from poor, uneducated peasants who are desperate for material goodies? It's the same story in our own country, with our own uneducated peasants in Wal-mart country. I think with time, Latin America, as well as the rest of the world, will awake from this fever and return to the one true Church that Christ established- the Roman Cathlic Church.

The “gospel” preached in most of our churches in Mexico is actually an “anti-evangelio”, it is the opposite of the teachings of Christ. Where as Christs way is for us to surrender to His lordship, the new way is to accept Christ so that he can make our lives here better. Most of us evangelicals are still traveling down that wide road that leads to destruction.

This article explains the situation here in Latin America. Some places the "Christian" part of the church is almost totally lacking. I also think that ENLACE does more harm than good as people a taught that Christianity is more about "prosperity" than Christ. We need to see the Word of God taught, and no be just listening to "prophecy" while the concept of doctrine is being rejected. I have a blog in Spanish for those who want to learn more http://renuevalamente.blogspot.com or an English news blog http://kenningtonkronicle.blogspot.com

Amigos les dejo esta website para escuchen nuestros estudios Biblicos. Que Dios les bendiga! www.estudiosbiblicospodcast.org

It is very sad that the Pentacostal movement in SA has come to this, for where there is a serious lack of sound theology, to rest on, after the true 'Apostolic' DNA has being experienced, all kinds of spiritual abberations manifest. I sincerely believe in all of the New Testament 'Gifts' and 'charismata' BUT, they must be regulated by sound biblical theology, otherwise, we witness what is going on here. This is where I long to see a merger of 'A beautiful, meaningful, merger of academic, Fundamentalist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Fusion, bringing out the DNA of true Apostolic Christianity' taken from James K.A. Smith, 'Teaching a Calvinist To Dance.' Let us be very careful, not to throw the 'Baby' of revelation out, with the bath-water of extravagant superstition!

Sometimes, late at night as I lie awake trying to figure out what's true, what's not, I'm afraid that Nietzsche might have been right--and if God is dead, his bride became a whore. The Reform is the mother of all this constant divisions within the Church. Sola scriptura is a self-contained fallacy. You can't shun tradition when your scriptura was selected by it. If you do, there's no reason to hang onto "orthodoxy". However, the Reform had cause to happen--Church in Rome was an institution whose only goal was to keep its own power and money. Therefore, the corruption of the Roman Church is mother to the Reform. Now, where is God in all of that? Does He think that allowing His church to become this congregation of self-praising leaders, all of them with their own theological pet peeve, plus a horde of self-deceiving, sin-loving fools (as myself), all of that is going to serve to some ultimate Holy Plan?!?! Why, God, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Excellent and to the point. Christianity in my country is an embarrassing religion. Being an "evangelical" means that you are quite likely unethical, interested only in money and earthly goods (and probably good looks), and have a pea-sized brain. I am ashamed of "evangelicalism", I am ashamed of its gospel of materialism in Latin American. There was a joke in the 80's that Brazil would import all technological outdated trash produced in the USA. Well, in the late 80's and early 90's we imported all US theological trash (prosperity theology, spiritual warfare, cheap TV preacher techniques -- it's hard to believe but Jimmy Swaggart might have been the most popular preacher ever in Brazil), and then we managed to create an even uglier combination, and then we did the same the Catholics did, we indulged in as much as syncretism as we could, though very well disguised, I call it "macumba evangélica". Poverty (economical or theological) leads to creativity -- but that is not always good.

Please do not laugh.Devil can sit on a tac.Protestants conformed to not to take time out to correct and usa judges. Govs need to think about kids views not party views.God allows choices I have been abused alot.(I am not coming back!!!(amos) I beleive that the congres,demo, cia,kk, allowed anaylitcal hatefulness!! Takes mail,blocks phone calls. HATEFul !!All of the countries can not be involved with mean or corrupt gov science. Why would not a group od christian pentecostals form a christian help christian group in the usa?!!!! And be ok with prosexual christians, not public nudist!! Why? Gov may know. If hateful govs get anayltical.Then what Gov aint gonea help. I HUGE DEPRESSION caused by GOD. Caused of anti christians. There is groups that want to travel and help. I like girls and guys talking to me and guiding me.Not just a church service in the county. Girls GOD beleives in partying!!!! do not go to the devils. Be ready dedicated christians.Go east MO area. psal99:9 outised pray.

forgive the blatant post, just wrote a note on my blog and mentioned you guys. 'I just read an interesting article in Christianity Today magazine [8-09] it showed how the countries of Latin America were being inundated with a very limited preaching of the prosperity gospel. How the country is flooded with ‘Christian TV’ and how many uneducated preachers have gotten a hold of the principle of ‘sow money into my ministry and God will bless you’ yet many of these ministries have no real preaching of the gospel. Jesus rebuked the lifestyle of the Pharisees because of their underlying sin of covetousness, they knew how to quote scripture and function as religious leaders of the community, yet they weren’t really listening to the one whom scripture testified of [Him]!'

The owners, the editors and the reader of this magazine should be ashame of this artilcle. With articles like this evangelicas in latin america do not need persecution nor mocking. This article as good for the gosple as the Religulous (Bill Maher) movie. in fact, Why dont you propmote this movie for all christiann to see? You are doing the same as Mr Maher. With christians organizations the editors of Christianity Today and the writer of articles like this, who need communists idelogiest or socialist revolutions or a persecuting catholic latin american church in latin america ?

Tristemente este articulo descibe una vision distorcionada y a medias del crecimiento del evangelio en latinoamierica. Mas triste es que esta revista se preste para este articulo. Yo cambiaria el nombre de esta revisata a Anticrisitnity Today o Contracristianity Today. Algien deberia hacerle saber a este fundacion que con escritores como este las limitaciones que puedan estar viviendo lo lideres latinos en el continente no se resolveran nunca. Lo que si se desarrollara es mas ideas anticrisitanas contra la iglesia evangelica. Gracias Milton.!!!! Te la comistes!!!

The 'Sola Gratia' and 'Sola Scriptura' that the author claims that Latin American Protestantism needs to discover has paved its way in some parts of the continent, drawing mainly in middle-class contexts. In these spaces, conservative biblical theology has become one force against the neo-pentecostalisms. But these worldview is another threat. Like many conservatives in the US, some Christians are been taught to ve 'faithful to the Scriptures', forgetting the great proverty and oppresion many people suffer.

>"the primacy of canonical and historical interpretation of the Bible" This strikes me as going against the ancient Reformation principle of individuals reading the Bible for themselves. Latin non-Catholic Christians must conform to someone else's interpretation of the Bible? >"need to recover and discover anew the priesthood of all believers," The article makes clear the many non-Catholic ministers fully embrace the "priesthood of all believers" and have set themselves as equals to Catholic priests, bishops and apostles. Pandora's box has been open and the jen is out of the bottle.

My family came from Europa (Germany) in 18 century as my family's wife came from Italy. I live in Brasil and I've seen what God is doing here. It´s wonderful! By the Spirit of God! I went to Italy as a misionary and I saw what happen there too! I think the article forgot a little bit of information about Brasil, the biggest country (number of population and economy) of Latin America.

Very well-written and thought-provoking article. I am not very familiar with the situation in the Latin American church. The author did point out that there are some strong, Bible-based good churches there, and that is great. Certainly, as some who have pointed out have stated, there are churches in North America that have similar problems. My concern is that some who have posted seem almost to take exception to the notion that a North American would DARE criticize the Latin American church. Let's face it, folks, truth is truth. Absolutes transcend culture. They may be expressed in the garb of a local culture, but the Bible must be the standard, NOT political correctness. Let's not be deceived by pandering to those who brook no criticism of other cultures because of misplaced first world guilt. That kind of political correctness is misguided at best, and extremely destructive at worst. If a church is violating Scripture, I don't care if it is on Mars, it needs to be corrected.

An article that should be read by anyone considering ministry in Latin America. Testimonies from my Hispanic friends from Mexico, Central and South America echo his observations.

I agree that there is much bad theology in Latin American Pentecostalism (which seems to be the main target), just as there is in North American Pentecostalism (isn't it telling that Enlace is owned by TBN?). One of my professors, in the Assemblies of God, talked about what he called "folk theology" in US Christianity. But Reformationism isn't the answer; a better Pentecostal theology is. The Reformation birthed its share of legalism and sometimes violent repression of dissent; it had its own faults. What we have in Reformed churches in 21st-century America is not what was practiced in 16th-century Geneva. With God's grace, neither will 21st-century Pentecostalism remain what it is now.

Heterodoxy and ministerial manipulation is non-sectarian. Heretical charismatics (which, contrary to popular Calvinist belief, is not a redundancy), may play on a persons' fears and emotions, but is that any more abusive than the hyper-rationalism with which the cold, intransigent Reformationistas beat people over the head? I think it's high time for a lot less certainty and a lot more humility in all theological expressions of evangelical Christianity. Martin Luther was not Moses, and Charles Parham was not Elijah. How about let's work out our salvation with fear and trembling? That's a universal truth on which we can all unite.

This is a lucid and well articulated description of the emerging neo-protestant/evangelical church in Latin America. It certainly matches our first-hand experience. (My wife and I live next to a small evangelical church in a small village outside of Antigua, and because our home and the church share a common wall, we experience the services only slightly second-hand in our living room.)

Gracias Milton for the time spent, research invested and writing ability to make known some of the reality of Latin American "Evangelicalism." It is a complex topic that requires much more conversation, forums and books. Dios te bendiga!

So, these are the groups that Catholics refer when they say that sects are growing in South America, not the traditional churches, even if charismatic.

I agree with Narciso and Xino, this is a direct export by Jan and Paul, Benny, Ken and their ilk. There seems to be no end to their nonsense. I read an article recently about the richest man in a Nigerian town who drove his Land Rover past the squalid slums of his town, praising Jesus he was not in the same condition. He was the local prosperity preacher.

The author could easily have mentioned African as well as Latin America. In Africa, Pentecostal pastors are accusing women of witchcraft and sometimes even running people out of town after they "spiritually discern" that the accused are in league with the Devil. This stuff isn't staying in the developing world, either. Sarah Palin was blessed by an African witch-hunter, and I can tune into four TV channels preaching this stuff right now. It's high-time for evangelicals to acknowledge some form of conciliar institution (like the NAE and WEA), tighten the admission requirements to orthodox denominations (which would've prevented Ted Haggard's "Association of Life-Giving Churches" from signing on), and regard those who refuse as suspect and deviant. We don't need an episcopate, but we need to hold those who try to set up their own little empires without any accountability to the larger Christian community as sectarian cultists, not as inspired preachers.

But why fault Latin Americans? All of the so-called aberrations reached my country by way of North America. It's all I see and hear in Christian TV.

Dears, I am a Romanian and an Evangelical Church Planter in Romania. I do appreciate the author's concern for balance. I am wondering if his concern is not driven by American Standard Evangelicalism that he tries to impose on Latin America? Also it seems to involve American Evangelicalism Imperialism where you can judge what's in the outside by your own standards (of course biblical: every Christian leader I know pretends to be biblical. ). I'm wondering if the slumber that is falling over a lot of American Evangelicalism is not due to its fear to be too political correct and not in the same level of being concerned with the Holy Spirit, and the author's despised 'apostles and prophets'. I wish some of us will have the passion and power that these guys have. 1Co 4:19 "But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. " I think Paul will be amazed at the fact that most that America has now are just words!

What a brilliant exposee of the situation. I am at a place of theological education where Andrew Walls lectured. He never addressed the objections that people raised, and a year later was preaching the same old stuff. His followers crow about the ‘global south’, while it is situated in the Northern Hemisphere! All I can say is, we are all members of one body, can one part say to another, “I have no need of you.”? The crowing that separates one part of the globe from another is not only an insult to those of us in the northern hemisphere who have prayed for South America; who are these people who can gainsay the work of the Holy Spirit? What I am witnessing is mere triumphalism. 1Cor 1…there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ... there should be no division in the body... its parts should have equal concern for each other.

This is a disappointing and twisted view of God's work in Latin America that unfairly impugns the whole church by characterizing it in terms of its worst abberations. The theological biases of the author are obvious, and this article should not have been offered without a learned rejoinder. The recent article on Christianity in Cuba was much more accurate. Did I understand that the Stott ministry paid CT to publish this screed? If so, it should have been marked as a paid advertisement. Shame on you CT.

Great insights. I've seen such things in many parts of Asia thanks to satellite TV. The spirit that is at work is a counterfeit spirit that scripture warns us about. And no.....I'm neither American nor did I receive an American (or British) seminary education. Just an ordinary Christian from the backwaters of a little asian town who reads the bible every day and prays to glorify my Lord.

Who is the Guatemalan preacher who changed his opinion? Where did he study?

I believe this bad phenomenon is not only prevalent in USA or South America but it has spread all over the world like cancer!! Back here in Malaysia, we have a School of Prophets where people check in to be trained as 'Prophets' and they graduate as one. One such school is in Muar, Johor. We also have many who call themselves 'Apostles' and insist to be addressed as such. They are usually very loud, dictatorial and insistent with their prophesying and teaching and they do not tolerate questions. Yes let us pray earnestly that God will raise true Christian leaders who will teach the Word of God. It is high time we have that!!!

The author has drunk deeply from the well of the chauvinism of his North American evangelical seminary education. The Spirit is clearly at work down south and doing a new thing, independent of the American evangelical magisterium. The wind blows where it will...

Similar occurrences are taking place here in the United States. To be specific, they sound more like independent charismatic churches rather than Pentecostal churches, per se. I describe this phenomena and the difference between the two in my book "Strange Fire, Holy Fire: Exploring the Highs and Lows of your Charismatic Experience" (Bethany House).

What's been happening in Latin America is nothing more than copying of what has been taking place in the last 2-3 decades in The USA. TV chains such as TBN of which 'Enlace TV' is part of have influenced latin america greatly but negatively. The proliferation of Apostles and Prophets with their prosperity and 'controlling' teachings as well as the territorial demons warfare is not native of South America but has been exported from the North. Many bilingual (latino) apostles (prophets/ prophetess) are based in the USA with mega churches full of people who believe everything they are told (prophesied) by them and they [the apostles] have done a lot of damage by propagating faulty theology and poor theological preparation. I hope and pray that God would soon raise true church leaders who will teach the bible proper and prepare others to become sound christians based on the truth of the gospel and not the inventions of men and women who are only interested in prospering themselves.

We are preaching thru the Book of Acts in our church presently. This Sunday we cover the Samaritan revival in chpt. 8. The demons were going out of tons of people with screaming. This would sure have freaked a lot of western trained seminarians. Sure freaked me out the first time I encounter it in SE Asia. We need the power and demonstration of the Spirit, especially in animistic cultures where people are under the direct power of devils. But we need solid, historical gospel teaching and preaching, lest it regress to pentecostal shamanism. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. There's a reason why the church is growing in the southern hemisphere under Pentecostal influence. It's because a powerless form of Christianity does not break the spell of the Simon the Sorcerer. And Simon rules in these animistic cultures. But better have some true apostles who discern when Simon has secretly entered the church!!!

Dear Milton, thank you for further opening our eyes to an ugly reality that we knew about, but yet did not want to accept. As a Hispanic, I too hurt as I see this so called "Christianity". I also want to thank you because your article further prepares my perspective in seeing that there is a huge need to share the Truth, the True Gospel of our Lord Christ Jesus - the solution to this and all other problems. Our job: to go out into the world and make disciples of all men. God bless you. Edgar Serrano

"Lively worship and other Pentecostal characteristics (speaking in tongues, prophesying, and healing) have become part of most non-Catholic Christian churches in Latin America." What a fright. As a former Catholic and now non-denominational evangelical, I can't think of much that would make me RUN faster, away from "evangelical" proselytizers, than those "speaking in tongues" and "healing". Those two practices are right up there with Santeria, VooDoo, and the belief that Mary is Co-Redemptrix and that petitioning her powers is necessary for salvation. Speaking in tongues and healing is why other denominations think all evangelicals are KOOKS. It's embarrassing. There's certainly a lot of work to do in Latin America and in all continents, and mainline evangelicals could do a fine job of spreading Bible-based Gospel without the kooky methods.

Most of my thoughts have been expressed by Chuck and todd. The wrieter is SO reactionary: "Oh no, they aren't following the Reformation," as if those leaders got everything right. Like ALL leaders and interpreters, the Reformers were products of thier time. Even their approach to the Gospel is somewhat deficient. The NT view of salvation is far richer and fuller than the dominant idea of the Reformation (justification). That is oversimplified, but why do so many pick ONE era of church history as being THE standard. The Spirit is our teacher and He is leading many people into new and richer understandings of Scripture in these last days. Sure there will be error, but that's life. As for me, I'll take the fresh wind of the Spirit over the stale imperfections of the past.

More bias against developing Christian movements that aren't controlled by those of European descent. Little to no concrete evidence is provided to prove the claims in this article except for a few unverifiable anecdotes. And the problems listed have been plaguing mainline and evangelical churches in America and Europe for years, and in many cases, are still hurting the church. Over-emphasis on health and wealth? pseudo-spiritual practices? bogus educational credentials? constant divisions and in-fighting? All sounds pretty familiar to me. I said it in seminary and I say it again, this is the false sense of inherent superiority in race, culture, and heritage that causes men to think they have a monopoly on the gospel under the banner of the Reformation. Spirit-filled fellowships of believers, actively displaying the gifts of the Holy Ghost and sharing the Gospel with power and demonstration are continuing to grow and will continue with or without you permission.

A well anticipated article. I guess that the movement of Protestant Christianity to the global south will be wrought with many problems. Spiritualism, Superstition and syncretizing Christianity with the folk religions of the areas will be common place. But that wouldn't be all that much different than what happens here in the U.S..

There is no bad theology except in the imagination of theologians.