Christ Quote by Ralph Martin
![“I think there are a lot of closet charismatics out there. A lot of [clergy] personally have had their vocations saved because of their experience of Christ and the Holy Spirit through the renewal, but they discovered it wasn't cool [to say so out loud] because it was considered fringe. They got…” quote by Ralph Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2be/ralph-martin-40430_christ_i-think-there-are-a-lot-of-closet-charis_1341140.jpg)
“I think there are a lot of closet charismatics out there. A lot of [clergy] personally have had their vocations saved because of their experience of Christ and the Holy Spirit through the renewal, but they discovered it wasn't cool [to say so out loud] because it was considered fringe. They got the message from the environment not to talk about it very much. I think the time has come for the closet charismatics to come out.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Charismatic Movement in the Modern Church, Ralph Martin, 2015
Many people with charismatic experiences hide them due to social pressure, but openness could enrich faith communities.
In simple terms: Hidden spiritual gifts are suppressed by culture.
Key Takeaway
Encourage honest sharing of spiritual experiences.
Themes
faith
authenticity
spirituality
community
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
theological
motivational
When to use this quote
- church groups
- small groups
- personal testimony
- online forums
Key Concepts
charismatic gifts
social conformity
religious identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can churches create safe spaces for sharing?
- What benefits arise from openness?
A Different Perspective
Cultural stigma may cause division if not handled sensitively.
![“The clergy [in the 14th century] on the whole were probably no more lecherous or greedy or untrustworthy than other men, but because they were supposed to be better or nearer to God than other men, their failings attracted more attention.” quote by Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/558/barbara-tuchman-3945_attention_the-clergy-in-the-14th-century-on-the-wh_159681.jpg)
![“There exists indeed an opposition to it [ building of UVA, Jefferson's secular college ] by the friends of William and Mary, which is not strong. The most restive is that of the priests of the different religious sects, who dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of day-light; and…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74e/thomas-jefferson-43_clergy_there-exists-indeed-an-opposition-to-it_137072.jpg)
![“The law for religious freedom... [has]put down the aristocracy of the clergy and restored to the citizen the freedom of the mind.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_the-law-for-religious-freedom-has-put-do_60865.jpg)
![“It's pretty much what a lot of committed Catholics are making of [Pope Francis]. They're thrilled, they're refreshed, they think it's a breath of fresh air.” quote by Ralph Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac6/ralph-martin-40430_air_it-s-pretty-much-what-a-lot-of-committed_1624441.jpg)
![“What does he [Pope Francis] mean, "Who am I to judge?" People think he's fantastic, but they also wonder how some of these pieces fit.” quote by Ralph Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/43f/ralph-martin-40430_doe_what-does-he-pope-francis-mean-who-am-i_2295320.jpg)
![“Whenever people open their hearts to God in some way, the Lord wants to do something good. Even if it just got scheduled randomly for that day, I'm sure [Pope Francis] sees significance in that.” quote by Ralph Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cf5/ralph-martin-40430_heart_whenever-people-open-their-hearts-to-god_2711273.jpg)
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
