Yes, I want the new non-flashy style of politics. But history shows us that great leaders need to marry authenticity with charisma and inspiring rhetoric It began on 12 April 1906 in Azusa Street, Los Angeles. That was where William J Seymour, the one-eyed son of former slaves, first began to speak in tongues, thus kicking off the whole Charismatic movement that was in large part responsible for the extraordinary revival and numerical success of global Christianity throughout the 20th century. John Wesley had done something similar in the 18th century in England, with thousands turning out to hear him speak. Charism, charismatic, charisma are an odd group of words. Originating in the Greek for grace, they suggest that the transformative power of speech and personality has some divine – or at least, mysterious – quality. Charisma is something that is given as opposed to something that can be learned. Like the ability to make a powerful conference speech or the capacity to persuade others with a sermon: you either have it or you don’t. William J Seymour had it. Wesley had it. And their revivalist style of public speech was so effective that it has been extensively copied by those seeking political office ever since. Martin Luther King’s revivalist-style “I have a dream” speech is still commonly held up as the ultimate in political rhetoric. Continue reading...
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