John Wimber on Emotions, Healing, and Worship

There has been controversy in the news this year about "HOTS" (Healing on the Streets) groups who have been lambasted by the press and the ASA for their claims that God can heal. There are many people who are - perhaps rightly - put off Christianity because of these sorts of claims. There are many faithful Christians who are sceptical and wary of their more Charismatic brethren. I count myself a Charismatic; that is, I believe that God heals today, and that any Christian can be used by God, because it is Gods power in us doing the stuff, not us. John Wimber was the founder of the Vineyard Church movement - a network of Churches who believe in exercising the gifts of the Spirit. I've just finished reading his superb "The Way In Is The Way On", and as I'm about to embark on a Discipleship Year at Trent, I thought I'd share a few golden nuggets from the grandfather of our movement.

The first of these is a small extract on the role of emotion. I used to be very critical of over-emotionalising things, of over-hyping the supernatural. I still am - but Wimber helpfully observes and explains the role of emotions regarding healing and prayer. I am very aware that many critical observers are quick to dismiss Christian claims of the miraculous as mere emotionalism, and that Christians deliberately manipulate emotions. That may be the case sometimes; but Wimber, setting the tone for a movement and a generation, is keen that this is not the case:

"During the time of prayer for healing I encourage people to "dial down", that is, to relax and resist becoming worked up emotionally. Stirred up emotions rarely aid in the healing process and usually impeded learning about how to pray for the sick. So I try and create an atmosphere that is clinical and rational while at the same time powerful and spiritually sensitive. Of course, emotional expression is a natural by-product of divine healing and not a bad response. Artificially creating an emotionally charged atmosphere militates against divine healing and undermines training others to pray for the sick."

If you want to find this quote for yourself, its on page 215-6 of "The Way In Is The Way On". You can clearly see here that Wimber is a man seeking authenticity, and seeking God. He wants to see God move - but God, not emotionalism. He is helpfully quick to note that emotions are real, and valid, but that we must be careful not to overplay them. It is challenging, reading this chunk, how clear Wimber is that "an emotionally charged atmosphere militates against divine healing", and that "stirred up emotions... usually impede learning about how to pray for the sick". Wimber is not afraid to be clear about the impact that falsehood and manipulation can have on the fruit of those involved. This is just one great example of Wimbers open-ness to God: and God alone, under the awesome power of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus.

In my next post of this mini-series, I'll share what Wimber had to say about the sufficiency, totality, breadth and power of the Gospel.

Thanks for reading, I'd value your comments!