Charismatics and the Next Millennium: Do They Have a Future?

Written by Nigel Scotland Reviewed By Robert P. Menzies

This well-informed and highly readable analysis of the charismatic movement in Britain draws upon an astonishingly wide range of personal experiences and written sources. Numerous personal anecdotes and the general tone of the book reflect the author’s intimate knowledge of and obvious enthusiasm for ‘the largest group of evangelicals in England’ and ‘the fastest growing section’ of the church in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, Scotland is not blind to mistakes of the past. Adopting a ‘warts and all approach’, he analyses both the strengths and weaknesses of the movement. The nature of charismatic experience, worship, gifts, leadership and church growth are all treated. The ‘Toronto Blessing’ and John Wimber’s emphases are also scrutinized. Thus, Scotland not only provides an accurate survey of the contemporary charismatic scene, but also a useful critique. Scotland believes the charismatic movement is poised to make a significant impact on British society in the next millennium. Whereas ‘Western evangelicalism was very much a one-dimensional affair in which the middle classes … looked for “sound teaching” ’, the charismatic movement, with its experiential focus, has met a growing desire for ‘deeper emotional and spiritual satisfaction’ (p. 24). Scotland notes that from the very beginning the movement has been marked by an emphasis on a ‘deeply felt emotional experience’ (often termed ‘baptism in the Spirit;) which ushers one into a new awareness of the presence of God. This experiential focus is powerfully expressed in corporate worship. In ‘much traditional worship the service is about God.… In charismatic worship the aim is to meet God personally’ (p. 258). Scotland suggests that this emphasis on experience and its resulting forms of worship and church life represent an expression of the gospel which is particularly relevant for our post-modern world. While Scotland believes the charismatic movement is here to stay, he also notes several potential pitfalls. Scotland chronicles a litany of problems related to authoritarian tendencies in church leadership. Although past extremes have sobered the movement, ‘apostolic’ authoritarianism is a future concern. Additionally, Scotland calls for charismatics to develop a more detailed theology of sickness and suffering. In a generally positive yet not uncritical analysis of John Wimber’s influence, Scotland notes that the emphasis on ‘power evangelism’ needs to be balanced with an awareness that suffering is often (as C.S. Lewis put it) ‘God’s megaphone in a deaf world’. The book is not without limitations. Scotland downplays the significance of differing charismatic understandings of baptism in the Spirit. In contrast to many charismatics, Third Wavers explicitly reject a baptism in the Spirit subsequent to conversion. The manner in which this theological issue is addressed will undoubtedly impact the movement in the next millennium. Additionally, Scotland fails to discuss the missionary structures and enterprise of the movement and he gives scant attention to ministerial training. Key questions thus remain unanswered: how will charismatic churches train new leaders and send out missionaries in the next millennium? Finally, the legitimacy of Scotland’s judgements is often assumed rather than supported by exegetical or theological argumentation. And his comments on charismatic hermeneutics (p. 260) will justifiably scare many evangelicals. These shortcomings, however, are relatively minor in comparison to the many strengths of this engaging book. Scotland is a gifted storyteller and the story is worth telling. He has provided an accurate and lucid description of the contemporary scene, a valuable summary of current positions, and thoughtful questions for the charismatic movement as it moves into the next millennium.


Robert P. Menzies

Robert Menzies has lived in East Asia for most of the past three decades and serves as the Director of the Asian Center for Pentecostal Theology.