looks like poor old Bently has taken over where Ted Haggard let off and will continue to be the post church/charismatic bete noir at least until Mark Driscoll opines again and regains the no 1 whipping boy spot ;)

Brad,
“charismetrics” — I like that ;^) I think the power, as in “Power Evangelism” only has real effect to change lives when it has a relational context in the everyday. That is, as a one-off power-bomb, it has only the transient power effect (which can blow people’s circuits), but in the context of an ongoing everyday relationship “in the neighbourhood,” there is opportunity for dialogue before and after the “power encounter,” and it’s the dialogue and relationship that promotes the lasting change… the power is just a catalyst, nothing more. The ongoing relationship contains the “circuit upgrade.” I keep falling into these weird metaphors.

Barb,
Yeah, I think one of my links points to CPW’s distancing ramble on the whole thing (different link, same content). Grace’s Apostolic Bullshit post tackles this as well — very nice (but tell us how you really feel!).

Glenn, Erin,
Thanks. And yes, this is a great illustration of why post-charismatics exist in the first place… and on the basis that their numbers are only increasing, it’s very disappointing that Rob’s book isn’t being distributed directly in the USA. As for the resurrection(s), one would think it’d be hard to keep something like that below the radar if it was legit. I don’t think Jesus told Lazarus, “Now, don’t tell anybody…” It was pretty spectacular, and marked the point when the Jews began wanting to kill Jesus. Still, I do hope the Belfast outbreak isn’t like and doesn’t go the way of Lakeland.

J. Michael,
My thoughts also — Edwards and others from the Great Awakening are good models, and also experienced many manifestations. The literature doesn’t actually say a whole lot about the manifestations, but you can find accounts of people falling, flailing, and crying out… followed by a kind of understated, “I have hopes that they were soundly converted.” Take nothing for granted, and don’t focus on the externals.