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Christianity Today, May, 2008 |

Teaching a Calvinist to Dance

In Pentecostal worship, my Reformed theology finds its groove.

James K. A. Smith | posted 5/16/2008 09:17AM

It can be a little intimidating in a Reformed context to admit that one is Pentecostal. It's a bit like being at the ballet and letting it slip that you're partial to NASCAR and country music. Both claims ...

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Carlos

Posted: May 28, 2008 8:13 PM

Halleluia!! Praise the Lord for this testimony of Brother James K.A. Smith! I could not concur more with what he has shared and written, I've been longing for years to hear someone like this brother bring out what is in fact, as he so rightly states; "The Churchs' DNA is Pentecostal" absolutely correct. I love my Calvinist brothers, theologically, for the most part sound, thank God for them; but the genuine charismatic 'pentecostal' experience is what they truly need. On the other hand our Pentecostal brothers, also need the good theological foundation of our Calvinist friends; a true merger of these two great arms of the Christian faith, is what will ignite the 'fire' of the Holy Spirit, at this most perplexed time we are all living in. We need them both, may the Holy Spirit be allowed to have 'His' way in the hearts and lives of many, for the Glory of God in the fulness of His Spirit!

Nicholas

Posted: May 22, 2008 5:49 PM


Excellent article! Having a deep awareness and reverence for God's sovereignty SHOULD lead to an exuberant style of worship, and appreciation for the Holy Spirit and all He wishes to do in and through God's people. Thanks for this!

Roberts

Posted: May 21, 2008 8:49 AM

Creative idea.... However, I notice different styles of worship during the whole history: Israel women's dance after God delivered them from Pharaoh, King David's dance before God when delivering ark of God, silent praises of early Christians in Roman Empire, Handel's symphony, and quiet prayers of persecuted churches in communist countries. I cannot say one is better than the others. As long as we do for God's glory in proper manner, it will be pleasing for Him. Note that God punished Mikhal, David's wife, when she despised her husband when he danced for God. Sadly, apparently some churches sing songs to amuse people, just like in entertainment industry. I have learned a lot from my Reformed (Calvinist) friends, especially about God's sovereignity and Christian ethics. But in soteriology, I do not agree with Calvin's TULIP (predestination etc). I believe Arminian view describes soteriology more properly.

Johann

Posted: May 21, 2008 7:07 AM


Oh America! The land which enthrones man's will and despises whatever gets in our way, God included. A Reformed pentecostal? Why not be a Communist Capitalist or a Moslem Catholic? Pentecostalism is insane enough without the neuroses that such a contradictory ingredient as Calvinism must produce.

Jason McGrath

Posted: May 20, 2008 10:19 PM

The article works on a general philosophical level, but I think there is more to this than application of God's sovereignty and "embodiment." The author hardly stops short of assuming that anything less than Pentecostal worship lacks embodiment. This fits the stereotype that I have heard concerning many Pentecostals: "You just haven't reached the plateau of true spirituality and worship until you have lost control of your body in some spectacular (read spectacle) way."

Bruce H

Posted: May 20, 2008 3:27 PM

My new birth came 32 years ago in a charasmatic church in Rochester, NY. Within the past year I have enjoyed the teaching of John Piper and R.C. Sproul and have learned much about Reformation Theology and have discovered that it has only increased my faith and emboldins me to proclaim the message of salvation through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am also a soldier in the Salvation Army, which is Arminian in it's teaching on Salvation. As I focus on the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ, I find no conflict between my personal experience with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, my Calvinistic beliefs and my work with the homeless through the mission of the Salvation Army. My life is only richer, deeper and fuller as a result of my experience with pentecost, Calvin and the Salvation Army. We do not have to be divided over our personal beliefs and experiences as long as they line up with scriptures.

Bob Braswell

Posted: May 20, 2008 11:56 AM

Very well articulated! I am from a Pentacostal background, and have come to a very similar view from a very different path. There are a number of us who grew up in Pentecostal churches who rejected some of our own heritage because we saw its extremes, but have come back to it for the same reasons we have adopted a systematic theology very close to Calvinism: because we found it in the Bible. And what a relief when we do: it is hard to deny something that has been experienced as alive and life-giving!

Fabian Lazarte

Posted: May 19, 2008 4:52 PM

Wow, I felt like I was reading my journal but with different city names. I also grew up with in a Plymouth brethren church and currently attending a neo-charismatic church. I have not changed my Calvinism either and although it can get crazy a times, I think the environment prompts more to humility than phariseeism. Although the preaching is far from perfect and at times I don't know if I should laugh of cry, but the love of my brothers and sister, their passion for the lost and their testimonies are truly a worth-staying factor. At the end, what matters is our love toward God out a pure heart. Nobody has it perfect anyways.

Mike	Posted: May 19, 2008 1:13 PM


Isn't this just being biblical? The Holy Spirit did not change from the New Testament. He is the same today as back then. Our society is in need of a new great awakening of the God. It is not just worship, but proclaiming the Gospel.

Chris Bradford

Posted: May 18, 2008 2:04 PM

What an eloquent and sensitive expression of my own sentiments and theology! I know many a believer who experiences God with this openness to surprise, while being diligent students of God's word and his gifted theologians. Give me Gordon Fee, give me Piper, give me N.T.Wright as well as Calvin - these can mix just fine, you know! And give me your sovereign and gracious surprises, Lord, may your kingdom come (intersect with our material sphere) and your will be done! Thank you Prof. Smith.

sincere charasmatic

Posted: May 18, 2008 9:09 AM

One has to be sincere in one's life-for-Christ for a charasmatic approach to work. A balance is needed between good advice and the "pentecostal" enthusiasm. Enthusiasm can become simply emotionalism without substance and without translating into life changes. After all, it is the Holy spirit whom changes us and the Spirit is not emotionally labile with wild ups and downs. When the spirit moves in our lives we do not become unstable emotionally but, instead, become deeper in character with maturity, greater joy and overall contentment. The flames that burned on the heads of the church at pentecost showed a steady candle burning. A candle in a storm of emotions goes out in the wind that is generated. But having eagerly watched many sincere pentecostal pastors shepherding their sheep I must say that they give good advice - in between the prompts for emotional responses! Hallelua and amen! Is there anyone here who says amen? Come now, is there anyone?

Dave	Posted: May 18, 2008 8:39 AM


A fellow journey toward truth in life. I was raised a Lutheran, was saved a Pentecostal and educated in the Reformed faith. I am back in the Lutheran church leading them to the truth that we are the church of the Pentecost and need to have an expectancy that God will move in mysterious ways. God is God of body, soul, mind, spirit and emotions. Thanks

James Reid Ross

Posted: May 18, 2008 2:32 AM

I gave it four stars but was great for reading just wish a little deeper into his Baptism in the Holy Spirit I was real blessed by reading one of these blogs and someone mentioned Pat Boones book "a new song" I bought a copy and was greatly blessed by it. One of those page turners how he and his family experienced the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Great article reformed and "Spiritual. blessings to all seek all God has to offer loving everyone, condeming none. God bless in HIM.

jeri	Posted: May 17, 2008 7:53 PM

I was raised in the Pentecostal tradition. I've been affiliated with the United Methodist Church for more than 30 years. I have a deep appreciation for both. I often miss the enthusiasm and freedom of expression that characterizes Pentecostal worship. On the other hand, I haven't missed the tendency Pentecostals sometimes have to sit in judgment on others whose views differ somewhat from theirs. I love and appreciate the music in Pentecostal services, but would miss the theology in the great hymns of the church used in UM worship. I don't miss the frequent emphasis on damnation in sermons preached by most Pentecostals, but, at the same time I sometimes find myself wishing our Methodist pastors would occasionally speak to the devastating and eternal consequences of careless living and deliberate and willful transgression of God's laws. Perhaps the ideal would be a place of worship that combines the best of both.

Sam D

Posted: May 17, 2008 3:19 PM


I think it's quite true that God wants our whole person. We need to be joyful and almost mindlessly enthusiastic for and trusting of God at some times. At others, we must be as rational, studious and contemplative about God as we can. Keep thinking on these lines and soon you'll be Catholic. Vernacular Mass is at 8, Latin Mass is at noon, Modern Mass is at 5:00 and Charismatic Mass is at 6:30.

Dr Bob Wenz

Posted: May 17, 2008 3:13 PM


Perhaps evangelicalism is occasionally wacky, but I can much more easily deal with some of the wackiness than a condescending attitude found in faithswork.blogspot.com. How is it that someone can claim to "stand above it all?" It sounds remarkably like Nietzsche's comment that "there is a god, and I am not he."

Paul Wilkinson (no relation)

Posted: May 17, 2008 2:33 PM

It's interesting to contrast the passion with which some readers resonated with this article to the rather extremist rhetoric of those who find the article an affront to their doctrinal beliefs. It's amazing how we let our subjective experience and preference rule our interpretation of someone else's journey. I think this story eloquently describes a situation that is more common than we might realize. (People in faith stream "A" being reluctant to advertise the fact they attend meetings in denominational stream "B.") I think after reading the comments, more than at any other time online, I find myself really wishing that God Himself would post a comment. What does He think of our militant denominationalism? Ultimately, on some matters, one group's take on a particular issue is going to be closer to the heart of God. So who's right? Someone online said recently that doctrines don't really count until they are tested. Until then, they are just opinions.

Leonard Wilkinson

Posted: May 17, 2008 1:49 PM


James should check out a group of churches who call themselve "Sovereign Grace" and advertise as the place where to calvanist and the charismatic come together.

Cindy

Posted: May 17, 2008 1:01 PM

I found this article somewhat offensive. I guess what this person is saying is that in comparing those of the Reformed to a ballet (the more refined and educated) and the rest to of us, who are not reformed, to a NASCAR and country music? While I think that both NASCAR as well as country music are great for others, it is not my own preference. I believe it is important for those of the Reformed persuasion to realize that just because God gets a hold of us and shakes us, doesn´t mean you have to let go of your "intellectual framework". Personally, I find these statements quite offensive as they take for granted that only those who are Reformed really have a grip on theology. Nonsense! God is for the whole man- spirit, soul and body.

Kathy

Posted: May 17, 2008 12:39 PM

My two cents here, and I am by no means an expert on Calvinism. Even though I'm Methodist, I've always preferred the Pentecostal worship over icy cold Calvinism. We Arminians do believe that God is sovereign; we just don't believe that he is a puppet-master, although he can be if he chooses. God believes in personal responsibility and holds we humans accountable for our actions, just like he did with the Hebrews in the Bible. I'm just not comfortable with the idea that the God who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son also creates souls for the specific purpose of damning them to suffer in hell for all eternity. Those people who believe this, well, that belief tells me more about them than it does about God.

Dave C

Posted: May 17, 2008 10:58 AM

It does not surprise me to find this article in my mailbox this AM, hot off the CT presses. I believe we are on the cusp of a Great Awakening and that God is expanding the dialog in fresh ways through articles such as this; He is preparing His leaders for what is to come. Myself, I also studied Kuyper & Dooyeweerd as a Dutch Reformed Philosophy/Religion double major (at Calvin College, no less) ... and part of why I left my Reformed denomination was the huge disconnect between Faith & Experience. It was killing me to live as a "Brain-On-A-Stick." I am praising God to be back in my Reformed denomination 25 years later, embraced by a growing enthusiastic anointed circle of truly Reformed leaders who submit their minds.. AND all of their HEARTS... AND all of their STRENGTH to God! May our Sovereign LORD surprise (and strengthen) us all (in spirit, mind AND FLESH) as He begins to unleash what He has held back for this very hour... The BEST wine for LAST!

Wesley Brice

Posted: May 17, 2008 10:11 AM


Do not bring Calvin's name into this discussion. He did not hold such views and could not because he was bound by Scripture.

Mlabus

Posted: May 17, 2008 10:04 AM


There seem to be so few of us out there, but more an more are coming out. It will be interesting to see how this trend develops.

Lowell

Posted: May 17, 2008 9:05 AM


The Elim Church in San Salvador, capital of El Salvador, is one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the world. Calvinism underlies the preaching and teaching, and on the book tables there is a plentiful supply of Calvin's works translated into Spanish. Read more about this church and its senior pastor, Mario Vega, in Joel Comiskey's book Passion and Persistence.

chuy	Posted: May 17, 2008 7:30 AM


as christians everything that we practice in the life of the church should have a biblical support. what is the biblica support for to use my body to worship to the LORD. I am convinced that the pentecostal church use the emotions in place the convictions. I was Pentecostal. we need to show our spiritual life in home in work, no only in a worship service.

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