Manifestations

For my college class, I am reading Surprised by the Power of the Spirit written by Jack S. Deere. Deere's experience with the supernatural nature of Christianity resembles my experience. My childhood church taught doctrine that dismissed the miraculous in present day disciplines. However, my personal study of scripture couldn't justify this dismissal. As I experienced God in tangible and profound ways, I gained more faith for healing and the miraculous gifts.
Scripture convinces me that miracles are for today. However, miracles don't always manifest in my life. I have seen miraculous interventions and miraculous provision. Nevertheless, my desire for wholeness and wellness is not yet satiated.

Deere also grapples with the odd manifestations that come with God's presence. I found his discourse distressing because even Charismatic like me can fear lack of control. Most congregations limit manifestations to avoid confusion and disorder. Overt trembling, unrestrained shouting, and shaking can be viewed as disruptive or distracting. These strange responses to the presence of God are not new. After Johnathan Edwards dryly reads from the Bible, members in his congregation manifest with shaking and convulsions. Deere states, "These kind of manifestations caused a number of conservative Christian ministers to criticize Johnathan Edwards and his meetings as works of the flesh or of the devil." To counter, Deere uses scripture to prove that such manifestations are evidence of the Spirit's active work in believers and non-believers alike.

My personal experience with such manifestations is wrought with controversy. There are people in my immediate circle who blatantly deny such manifestations are from God. I can handle their skepticism because I shared their same perspective for many years. The controversy that I can't resolve is my inner turmoil. I have such a small capacity to understand the ways of the Lord. Why did His presence send me to ground, weeping uncontrollably? Why did He give me a prayer language that only angels understand? Why did my body physically respond in some meetings, but remained tame in other meetings?

The challenge for today's church is to find a consensus about such manifestations. In our endeavors to understand the mysterious, I will suggest one approach: "Don't assume the strangeness of an event or manifestation renders it irrelevant.