What is the "normal" Christian experience?
Normative Christianity
I have been around religious circles for quite a few years. I have attended Bible School and two seminaries. I have had friends of other denominations that have attended other seminaries. I have a cousin that pastors a Freewill Baptist Church. I have been a member of several ministerial alliances and was a Police Chaplain along with ministers of various denominations. I have worked for an evangelical ministry that was not of the Charismatic/Pentecostal bent. I worked for Zola Levitt Ministries. Zola was a messianic Jew, but was a member of a Baptist church. I have rubbed shoulders with Christians with a variety of theological and experiential backgrounds.
There was a day when doctrine was one--if not the major--reason a person went to a particular church. Today, other reasons play a more important role in church home selection. Considering the diversity of doctrine and experience, the question arises, what is normative Christianity? What is the norm for the Christian in our world today? The normal Christian life varies depending on denomination, doctrine, culture, age and many other reasons.
Norm for me as a Pentecostal includes speaking in tongues. Paul urges, "I wish that they all would speak in tongues"—1 Cor. 14.5. I have friends that believe that tongues ceased when the last of the apostles died. For others normative Christianity includes taking communion weekly and to others normal Christianity is meeting on Saturday Sabbath. There have been groups of snake handlers that feel snake handling is the norm. Today Christians are observing the Biblical feasts in Lev. 23—that is their "norm". "Normal Christianity" is very diverse.
Most would agree that there are things that normative Christianity must include, i.e. love, fruit, prayer, and others. People are taught a norm when they come to the Lord. They learn what "normal" is from scipture, and from their pastor, and their church modeling and teaching "normal" Christianity.
Please note, everyone would probably argue that their "norm" is Biblical, therefore we tend to promote our norm and do not acknowledge other Christian norms as valid and even may try to discredit other Christian norms as misguided at best and heretical at worst.
I had a conversation recently with an individual that has come to believe that "signs and wonders" should be the norm for every Christian. He devalued other preaching and preachers as merely preaching "feel good" sermons. While I agree that healings and miracles should be the rule and not the exception he dismissed all other preaching with one simple statement.
In the centuries following the apostles, during the time of persecution, suffering and death was seen as a badge of honor and even the norm. In fact, our word "martyr" comes from the Greek word meaning "witness".
Everyone should go to the scripture and decide for him or herself what "normative" Christianity looks like. If you and I come to different conclusions—hallelujah!!! We should celebrate and laud our differences. I can disagree with you, but I must love you and should not use language that is demeaning.
