There is nothing Eastern about the modern Charismatic Movement, and in fact quite the contrary, that movement is based upon an utterly foreign theology that is inimical to Byzantine spirituality.  The modern Charismatic Movement is founded upon the holiness and pentecostal movements of 19th and 20th century Protestantism, and has nothing to do with the spirituality of the Hesychastic mystics of the East, which is always focused upon the reintegration of mind and heart in prayer through dispassion and ascesis, and which has no interest in sensationalistic displays of so-called "charismatic" gifts.  The Hesychastic "Prayer of the Heart" is focused upon entering into communion with God by participating in His uncreated energies, and this should not be confused with the modern emotionalism of the Charismatic Movement in the Western Catholic Church, or in the Protestant ecclesial communities that gave birth to this movement in the first place.

Furthermore, I must emphasize the fact that it is not even possible to understand Eastern mystical experience without first understanding and accepting the Triadological distinctions made within the theological tradition of the Byzantine Church.  Now this, of course, necessarily entails accepting the fundamental realities of essence (ousia), person (hypostasis), and energy (energeia) in God, while also accepting the synergistic communion that is made possible by the incarnation of the eternal Logos, because it is only through the sacraments instituted by God incarnate — which have the effect of extending His saving action throughout history until He returns at the end of the age — that man can experience a true mystical encounter with the tri-hypostatic Godhead. Thus, the use of terms like "fire" and "light," and other terms of that kind, which may be common to the Charismatic Movement and the Byzantine tradition, reveals only superficial similarities between the two theological approaches.  That being said, it is clear that the Charismatic Movement presently popular in the Latin Church is basically a modern Western movement, which is founded upon the anti-sacramental theology of some of the more radical groups that came out of the 16th century Protestant Reformation, and as such it has nothing in common with the Byzantine doctrinal and spiritual tradition.

Finally, based upon what I indicated above, it is clear that a Byzantine Christian should avoid participation in the Charismatic Movement, because it does not represent the liturgical, spiritual, or doctrinal patrimony of his sui juris Church.

Eastern Christianity and the Modern Charismatic Movement

by Steven Todd Kaster

Original Version:  18 May 2008 (from a thread at the Phatmass Phorum)

Copyright © 2008-2025 Steven Todd Kaster