Date: 25-Apr-1995 08:51pm EST
Subject: RE: Incapacitations
John, thanks for cc:ing me on your message to the CETA list concerning the Toronto Blessing.
As you know, every awakening and/or revival of history has had its share of impurities and intense controversies, but this has not prevented God from working in marvelous ways despite these things.
I did not answer your questions when you first posed them to me, largely because at that particular time, I and many others involved in the renewal/revival were finding that many people who had initially criticized what was happening were later changing their minds about all of this, and I had hoped not to get into a debate with you over these things if I could help it.
Nevertheless, since you've raised some of the same issues again, I'll do what I can to interact with what you've asked, although I don't claim to have all of the answers.
It's true that there have been reports of cases in which peoples' laughter and/or drunkenness in the Spirit have become evident in restaurants, and that people have, at times, been stopped by policemen for "drunken" driving while under the influence, not of alcohol, but of "drunkenness in the Spirit." You mentioned that you didn't understand how Christ is glorified by this. My response would be that perhaps God is trying to get peoples' attention, using these incidents in order to demonstrate His power, not only to the Church, but also to the entire world. After all, He has compassion upon the world, and He therefore wants to see all people come to a knowledge of the truth and to repent before Him. Incidents of this kind have a tendency to call peoples' attention to the power of God. In general, people do have a tendency to repent and believe the Gospel when His power is demonstrated in this way.
Another question you brought up was related to my account of a Rodney Howard-Browne meeting in which an entire choir was rendered so drunken in the Spirit that they were unable to sing. This isn't quite what I said; when they were going up into the bleachers prior to singing, many of them were falling out "under the power" of the Spirit. But they were eventually able to get back up again, and after a time, begin singing.
You also mentioned that I wrote about a string of about a dozen pastors who were prepared to speak on God's work in their various churches, and that each, in turn, was "rendered unintelligible by a spiritual fit." This isn't exactly what I said--I didn't see any "jerking, gasping preachers," but I did see some laughing preachers, and other preachers who were so overcome by the Spirit that they were unable to say anything for quite a while. Some of them were finally able to share their testimonies, but others were not able to do so that evening.
You said that you were wondering how the Body of Christ is edified by these things. My answer would be that I believe that such things are signs and wonders which: (1) cannot help but increase the faith of the Church, and (2) cause us to realize that God is powerful, and therefore to be awed, or feared, i.e., we are to live lives that are holy and we are not to take it for granted that anything goes with respect to our attitudes and/or behavior as we walk out our daily lives. Indeed, this is the effect that these incidents have had upon many people present at those meetings, including myself.
I really don't see how all of this is contrary to Scripture. Throughout history as recorded in the Bible and in the annals of Church History, God has performed miracles, demonstrating His power and majesty, thereby bringing people to repentence, and a greater appreciation of who He is.
In any case, that's how I see it. I realize that not everyone is going to agree with me on all of these things, and I certainly recognize that people have a prerogative to differ with me on them. And certainly, regardless of how we might differ on such matters, I am glad to have fellowship with you, and all others who reverence Him as you do.
With every good wish to you in the Lord,
Richard M. Riss
RRISS@DREW.EDU