The purpose of this article is to express my concern and seek answers to certain questions provoked by reading 'In Pursuit of Glory' by Dr. R.T. Kendall.
This book is Dr. Kendall's personal review of his 25 years as the Minister of Westminster Chapel. He describes the various stages through which he was drawn into the forefront of what we generally call the charismatic movement in England. My particular interest at this time is in chapter 6 in which Dr. Kendall describes how he was influenced by what is commonly called the Toronto Blessing and his association with Rodney Howard-Browne. Dr. Kendall speaks of himself as 'Rodney's number one apologist'.
Howard-Browne is representative of a group of charismatic preachers who are renowned for the impact they make on large gatherings. In these meetings it is claimed that people are slain by the Spirit of God and, as a consequence, they fall down and many are convulsed in uncontrollable laughter. Claims are also made for dramatic and miraculous healings. What interests me in Dr. Kendall's book is his description of Howard-Browne's affect on certain individuals, including himself. To my mind the larger meetings are only a multiplication of his affect on individuals.
