A:Simply put, Experiential Theology looks for the “experience” initially and then forms doctrine or interpretation of Scripture based on the actual experience, even if it does not fit into the normal orthodoxy or “praxis” of the church.
There is growing awareness of new revelation being given today to certain people in the church, and in part this is due to the hunger for spiritual insight and satisfaction. Justification for these new expressions is then often framed within what is termed as “Extra Biblical Theology” – since it does not necessarily conform to historically accepted measures for testing and weighing what may be of God. This hunger for spiritual insight and experience then causes people to abandon earlier measures of testing visitations – prophetic words – and “new” revelation. Scripture such as 2 Thessalonians 2 warns that this will occur in the latter days with some seeking higher revelation and higher knowledge which easily lead to deception, straying well beyond Biblical boundaries. It is sobering to read that this can lead to a powerful delusion sent to those who have not believed in truth but have delighted in wickedness (cf 2 Thessalonians 2:11). Challenging words for today’s Church.
God is speaking to His people today and there is genuine Revival and transformation and a genuine power of the Holy Spirit being released. However, it is important that we keep our expression and experience of this earthed within the boundaries of the Word of God – that is always going to be our litmus test. 1 John 4:1-4 is a reminder of the necessity of testing everything in order that we can always recognize the Spirit of God as opposed to any other spirit vying for our attention.
More extended teaching on this topic and other topics can be found in occasional and downloadable papers presented in the Members Section and within the books and DVDs available in the Shop.
