CHARISMA:
from the Greek meaning "favor" or "grace." It was used by
the SOCIOLOGIST Max WEBER to describe the attraction of a person with a magnetic
personality or great gifts of leadership such as those found in ALEXANDER the GREAT or
NAPOLEON. Weber then applied this idea to religious leaders as a means of explaining the
appeal of people like the BUDDHA, MOSES, JESUS, PAUL, or MUHAMMAD. In this way it came to
refer to the personal magnetism of leaders who are able to attract a devoted following. In
popular CHRISTIANITY, charisma refers to the GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT which are believed to
follow the BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Such gifts would include: healing, speaking in
tongues, and PROPHECY.
