Question:
What am I to make of Pentecostal claims of raining gemstones and clouds of gold dust appearing at their charismatic conventions?
Answer:
We would ask these Christians whether they have independent verification of their claims.
God can certainly do anything (Matt. 19:26), but such remarkable claims should be able to withstand independent scrutiny. For example, when the Catholic Church examines the purported miracle of a candidate for canonization, it presents the miracle to a committee made up of various scientists, including non-Catholics and even atheists. The committee examines whether there is a natural explanation for a remarkable cure, for example, or whether there is no medical explanation.
If authentic, the claims of these Pentecostal Christians should also be able to withstand similar scrutiny.
Enjoying this content? Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us