Charismatic Renewal in
the Orthodox Church
Articles from Theosis Newsletter and Other Links
From 1978 to 1988, the Service Committee for Orthodox Charismatic Renewal (SCOCR) published a monthly newsletter, Theosis. This web site contains reprints of several articles originally published in Theosis: articles that give an Orthodox explanation and defense of the charismatic experience. It also includes a few other links of interest to Orthodox charismatics and those seeking to understand the Charismatic Renewal from an Orthodox Christian perspective.
In Jesus Christ our Lord,
Jerry Munk, former editor of Theosis Newsletter
The Charismatic
Experience in Orthodox Tradition
By examining
the rich tradition of the Orthodox Church, we come to see that the
charismatic experience is very much a part of that tradition. First
published in Theosis Newsletter in November 1978.
A paraphrase of Saint John Chrysostom's Homily on 1 Corinthians 12. A quote lifted out of context is frequently used to argue that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are no longer given. By reading the entire homily we see that the beloved saint is making a very different point.
This key question is examined from the perspective of scripture and two prominent Fathers of the Church. First published in Theosis Newsletter in October 1986.
In 1997, The Christian Activist, a publication edited by Frankie Schaeffer, published The Charismatic Revival, an article by Fr. Seraphim Rose who was an ardent critic of the charismatic renewal. This response was offered--and printed in the next issue of The Christian Activist.
In 1997, Bishop Kallistos Ware, a well-know Orthodox theologian and writer, presented a paper at the European Pentecostal/Charismatic Research Conference held in Prague. This scholarly work gives a survey of Orthodox writers on personal experience of the Holy Spirit.
This is a link to an online bookstore that sells books related to the charismatic renewal and ecumenical Christian community. The books are not specifically Orthodox, but are helpful for Christians from all traditions.
A consistent critique of Orthodox charismatics is that we sometimes pray with non-Orthodox Christians. People point to decisions of the councils that prohibit praying with non-Orthodox, but that is not all the Orthodox Church has to say about ecumenical relations. This link http://www.scoba.us/resources/ecumenical_guidelines.html takes you to the SCOBA (Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America ) web site where you can read its policy on ecumenical activities. This will not convince those who do not wish to be convinced, but it does indicate the prevaling Orthodox opinion which recognizes Christians outside the Orthodox communion as brothers and sisters in Christ. Another helpful document is the 1995 Common Declaration by Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Bartholomew I--especially the 4th and 6th paragraphs: Common Declaration.