Check out this video and comment on what you think about it. Are these manifestations of Sacred Power? Why or why not?
Which academic discipline (Phenomenology, sociology, anthropology, history or psychology) would you use to to an analysis of this group or these practices?
Watch closely the man in the suit 22 seconds into the video. Does he go up or down at first?
Have you ever experienced anything like this?
Compare what you see in this video with some of the miracles of Jesus. What is similar? What is different?
Luke 5:12-15 (pay special attention to 14 "tell no one")
Luke 8:49-56 (also notice verse 56 - "he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened")
Matthew 9:27-31 (again, read verse 30 - "Jesus warned them sternly 'See that no one knows about this'")
Are there any ethical guidelines to how sacred power should be used? What are the dangers of sacred power?
that is kind of crazy. I would want to experience it to see how I would feel. I'd want to feel the sensation, and see if it's real or not.
ReplyDeleteMy reaction when the guy goes up and falls is that it scared me. I wouldn't want to be the guy.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Lalinde from your intro to religion class on Monday and Wednesdays at 1:00 pm.
I have never experienced this before but I'd like to one day see it happen in person. I've never seen anything like it.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for me to believe this video because I have never experienced such an experience but also to believe that there is a holy spirit that overtakes a body. I don't know, I would have to experience to see if I change my mind.. Nicole Rivera (1pm class)
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, demonstrations of sacred power only work on believers. People who don't welcome spiritual thought (atheist) usually don't have any personal experience with this. And those who welcome belief in a sacred power have experiences that affect them in a manner that is normal for that belief.
ReplyDeleteI cant help but be skeptical, I would have to experience it myself to even begin to take it seriously.
ReplyDeleteYes, I understand
DeleteI think this is possible.
ReplyDeleteI cannot help but think that either the ceremony was staged or the participants are just doing what they want to believe its possible. Maybe their minds are tricking them. Psychology plays a big role in religion. I would like to experience this myself and maybe I will change my thoughts. I am skeptical by nature, I need to see with my own eyes in order to believe.
ReplyDeleteLaura Porben
DeleteI see 20 people commented already, and no one dare to analyze the scriptures. So here I go.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons why Jesus was telling the people not to tell anyone is because the miracles sign and wonders he performed by the anointing of the Spirit of God.
As His fame was spreading, it was every time harder for Him to move because of the overwhelming multitude to hear the word of God. Evidenced by his often withdrew to have more privacy and pray. Although He had the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit without measure to preach, teach, heal and cast out demons, He was somehow limited in His physical body to do things and visit places at the same time. On the other hand, the report of his fame awaken the attention of the many levels of the political power of back then, the Sanhedrin; Pharisee, Sadducees, Roman tetrarch and governors even emperor Cesar Augustus. Running the risk of accelerating and anticipating the appointed time for his crucifixion on Passover which was at the end of his 3.5 years of ministry.
Even thought Jesus said "tell no one," we can see a couple of verses ahead that he commanded them to show themselves publicly to the priest as a testimony. Meaning, Jesus believed in the fresh anointing that the power of the testimony conveys. Just like Paul the Apostle did in his letters when he repeatedly shared his testimony everywhere he went.
And that reminds me the verse in the book of Revelation that quote "And they overcame him(SATAN) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their TESTIMONY."
Now we can carefully see that one or two chapters after Luke 8 and Matthew 9 Jesus call to Himself 12 disciples to ministry the overwhelming multitude, sending them all over Judea making the preaching of the Kingdom more efficient and later on appointing 72 more people for that task, offloading the work for Him.
Pedro Velez.
M-W 1pm class
Pedro Velez (M-W 1pm class)
DeleteBenny Hinn comes from the Christian branch that believes in the old primitive Church and the Gifts of the Spirits; Word of wisdom, knowledge, discerning spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, faith, healings and miracles. Those were given on Pentecost day just like Jesus repeated in the gospels "It is convenient for you that I go (crucifixion death), so you may receive the promise of the Father" (Power of Holy Spirit).
Many people can fall into descriptive and explanatory reductionism when believers do not have a knowledge of the origins of the primitive church.
As I mentioned on Wednesday class, this spiritual experiences could be better discerned and perceived if a believer gets into a fasting mode where they enter into a higher dimension of the spiritual realm and are more receptive to the spiritual things. Otherwise, it would be just meaningless or ridiculous.
I also was personally for many months going to church and speaking against it thinking that all of it was fake or acted until I privately talk to the people who testified having documented proofs (doctor prescription and debts) at the end of the service or healing crusade. I could discern that the encounter with the numinous (Holy Spirit) along with worship and praise to God, miraculously their problem were solved, and bodies were healed by just creating the atmosphere of worship, which consequently brought the manifestation of the glory of God without a celebrity or anyone laying hands or praying for them.
I know .... for many of us
ReplyDeleteI hear you David ...
ReplyDeleteI may be able to throw a little more light on it in later chapters when we talk about shamanism and devotional faith
ReplyDeletegood point Emely
ReplyDeletei don't see how this could be real... it seems staged to me but then again i have never seen it in person or experienced it
ReplyDeletethis is really hard to believe for me , but still looks like real. i know there have some of people have that kind of power, but he looks like overacting
ReplyDelete