Eschatology Today

Inaugurated Eschatology: (n.) The wonderful already-but-not-yet tension and reality of redemption. Read the theological reflections of Pastor Jay and others around him below. This is a great place to dialog about the beauties of the Gospel!

My Son is a Charismatic or My Joy in Peter's Joy in His Redeemer

My son has become a charismatic. He believes that, while particular in the frequency and character of manifestations vis a vis special ages and points in redemptive history, that the Holy Spirit's work to make the presence and power of Jesus known is as real and as categorically broad as it has ever been, including the miraculous, the prophetic, and joy producing. While not an essential of charismatic theology, he is also wired in such a way that he wants to physically move in response to Biblical truth in the musical praise of the Father, through Jesus, in the Spirit's strength.

In a chapel at the classical Christian school he attends, it was relayed to us that during a worship song Peter was closing his eyes and raising his hands. My wife asked Peter about this. Peter said: "Mom, we were singing about lifting Jesus' name up high, so I was, you know, like, lifting his name up. My praise was being lifted up to God." Rebecca continued to ask if he had seen anyone do this before. He had (thanks Nathan and Danielle!!), but it was clear that Peter owned his posture of praise. Rebecca and I are charismatics with a seat belt, or open but cautious, however you want to spin that. We are not cessationists by Biblical conviction. By temperament, we are not uber-charismatics, but it seems as Jesus more fully rules our hearts, I am observing, that we are becoming more-truth-oriented-and-Jesus-anchored-emotional-and-physical in our responses and actions toward God in worship and life. Peter seems to have gotten a head start in life.

Our response: caution and release. First, we caution him to be sensitive to his community. Whether because of unhealthy stodginess or proper silence and stillness, Peter needs to be sensitive in his forms of worship so as to complement the whole, not bombard it. Second, we want to unleash him to praise God in the fullness of his emotions and his very being as long as it is a response to truth, to the person of Christ, and is edifying to those around him. In fact, friends, it brings me the most joy to know my son loves to exalt God with all that is within him. What greater joy can a parent have? I know no other.

So, my son might end up being a charismatic - maybe one of those Sovereign Grace guys or Acts 29. I probably won't (probably...we'll see). But, I am so proud of him and I find that joy in me is produced by his joy in His redeemer. That is the way God intends it. We are all to find joy in one another's joy in our Redeemer. That is a true pursuit of joy.

We'll see how Ellie, Ethan, and Reid turn out. I'm sure we'll have a more buttoned up Presbyterian come out of this family, too. As long as he or she is aflame with God, then my joy will continue to deepen.

So, if your child ends up being a charismatic, at least in temperament, praise God yourself! If they are also Reformed and prize the local church, then, friend, you can go ahead and ask God to rapture you...you've seen your life's work accomplished.