“Local Church ‘Cult’ Label has stuck”—says LSM Star turned Academic

[aron]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I don't have a lifetime in Pentecostal circles, but some of the ones I've seen fit your descriptions more than the LCs. Screaming slogans intelligibly seems more benign than shaking uncontrollibly while laying on the floor as if struck by the divine lightning.

The pernicious aspect of the LC is that people aren't on all fours, barking like dogs. So they can say it is not mere Pentecostalism. When repeatedly shouting slogans is actually creating the same physiological/mental stimulus. So they can call it "spirit" and "glory" when it is fleshly excitement and soulish enthusiasm.

Originally Posted by Ohio

People want sensory because it goes beyond mere information in the mind. They want feelings which can affect them, improve their life. God understands this too, and that's why they are more common in our youth. Trouble begins when faith does not properly grow within us.

When the experience becomes the target, then we have missed the point. Paul wrote a rather admonishing letter to the Corinthians in this regard. Yet, WL approvingly called the Mainland Chinese branch of his sect "Shouters". He told us that there were millions of Shouters in the PRC, and we murmured with happy surprise.