charism

Charism is a term used primarily in Christian theology to denote a grace or gift believed to be bestowed by the Holy Spirit on an individual or a community for the benefit of the Church. The word comes from the Greek charismá, meaning “favor, gift.” In English, charism often appears in the singular as charism or in the plural as charismata.

In Christian theology, charismata are distinct from sanctifying grace and from general moral virtue. They are special abilities granted for the common good and the church’s mission. The New Testament lists various charismata, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. The proper use of charisms is traditionally guided by love and orderly practice, as emphasized in 1 Corinthians 12–14. Different Christian traditions, including Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant communities, recognize the reality of ongoing charisms and emphasize discernment by the church to prevent abuse. The concept is central to discussions of renewal movements, such as the Charismatic Renewal within mainstream churches.

In sociological and historical contexts, charisma refers more broadly to exceptional personal magnetism or a leader’s perceived extraordinary gifts. Max Weber identified charisma as a basis for a distinct form of legitimate authority, known as charismatic authority, arising from the leader’s personal qualities rather than formal rules or tradition. In contemporary usage, charisma typically denotes personal attractiveness or influence rather than a divinely conferred gift. The term charism remains common in theological discourse, while charisma is the more frequent term in secular or general language.