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Review: Post-Charismatic, by Rob McAlpine

Posted by Fiona Veitch Smith on 5 Dec 2008

As many of you may know, I'm charismatic. What most of you don't know is that I've become increasingly disillusioned by the so-called charismatic movement...

One of the reasons I came back into a Baptist church four years ago (I was baptised in a Baptist church when I was 15) was because of the flakiness, hype, hysteria and sometimes abusive leadership practices of some self-proclaimed charismatic churches and organisations. Does that mean I'm post-charismatic? No. I still believe in and exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit and am thankful that the Lord has chosen to release them here in Heaton Baptist Church. But it's the packaging of the gifts rather than the content of them that causes me concern.
Knowing this, a Methodist minister friend (who is also charismatic) recommended I read the book Post Charismatic by Rob McAlpine. The blurb on the back says it all:
"Charismatic is a loaded word. For some it's old hat, for others it's unknown, and for still others it's dangerous. But for a growing number, it's a bad dream they want to forget. Rob McAlpine writes for all these, but especially for the last category - those who embraced charismatic renewal with hope and excitement, only to be found picking themselves up off the floor after years of disappointment, disillusionment and even spiritual abuse."
McAlpine has been a pastor in the Vineyard movement and is now a full-time staff worker with Youth With a Mission. I have been through both of those doors - among others - and could really identify with some of the bizarre things he talks about in this book. But rather than majoring on the hype, McAlpine asks the question of whether or not we should throw the baby out with the bath water. His answer is thankfully no.
He looks at the roots of some of the more questionable teaching and discipleship practices in the charismatic movement and suggests ways we can move forward in a more balanced and healthy practice of the gifts of the Spirit. I didn't agree with everything he said, but it's a good starting point. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone with concerns about what it means to be a charismatic or even post-charismatic Christian.