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| There is once again a stirring amongst God's people from every church background in the Hebrides. Many are acknowledging that the mere mechanics of religious ritual are not sufficient - that there must be dynamics as well as mechanics or we are in danger of ending up with "a form of religion that denies the power" (2 Timothy 3: 5). There is a spiritual hunger and thirst growing in many that is causing them to break through traditional barriers and the cultural mores, and reach out for the MORE of God (John 10: 10). Those who are hungry and thirsty are beginning to experience the LIFE that flows to those who are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, as He produces disciples of Jesus Christ who are strong in the Word - who know who they are in Christ, what they can do through Christ, and what belongs to them in Christ. Below is one man's observation of the spiritual climate on Lewis that was written in the early 90's. Already, some of the issues addressed have begun to change... |
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| A Missions Strategy for the Isle of Lewis by Craig Thompson, Tennessee, USA Lewis has a history of revival. There was a revival in 1939 which many claim was a more powerful move than the one which began in 1949, but less has been written about it, making it difficult to really compare the two. But there were numerous conversions during this move of God, and some have seen it as a preparation for the later revival of 1949. Pentecostalism Pentecostalism is itself not new to the island. Indeed, during the revivals mentioned above there were people who were baptized in the Holy Spirit without prior knowledge of the experience. Not only did people speak in tongues, but some had visions, too. Hugh Black notes that the Lord sent him to bring Pentecost to Lewis shortly after the revival of 1949, and there were many people who received the baptism in the Holy Spirit after they heard what the Word says about it. What is more recent is the establishment of distinct fellowships and local churches which are Pentecostal/Charismatic. There are a few Pentecostal/Charismatic fellowships which are loosely knit. As in most places, Pentecostalism has been fiercely opposed, mainly by leaders in local churches. Some elders and ministers even fought the work of God when the revivals were taking place. However, there have been some people who have acknowledged that there is something more to life--even Christianity--which they themselves are lacking but some of the Pentecostals enjoy. |
| Negative Spiritual Strongholds When dealing in the spiritual realm, it is essential that one have a fair grasp of what kinds of spiritual strongholds are at work in a certain area. A stronghold is generally seen as one particular vice, bondage, or influence which characterizes a geographical locality. Pentecostals recognize that such things are caused by demonic activity and not just the depravity of the human condition. There are not only local strongholds, but territorial and national ones, also. The Isle of Lewis has at least six identifiable strongholds at work on it. Two could be considered local, and the rest are at work throughout Scotland. |
| 1. Religion, legalism, and tradition As one might infer from the description of the state of Christianity on the Isle of Lewis, there are strong tendencies toward legalism and tradition. The New Testament does not speak against all tradition, but wherever people set up their own standards as equal to or greater than the Word of God, the life of Christ is strangled and the Holy Spirit is excluded. This has happened in many local churches on Lewis, and it is a great danger to every fellowship. Because there is such a strong cultural emphasis on Christianity, and since most of the government is in effect to some extent controlled by the Church, there is a permeating sense of religiosity. One can witness to the drunkard only to discover that the person knows (mentally, at least) a great deal about the Bible and the affairs of the church. It could be said that "Church," along with Gaelic and English, is one of the major languages on the island. This has been in some ways a hindrance to the spread of the Gospel. |
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| "Do you not say, `There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!.......I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 4: 35; 10: 10 |
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