Charismatic Gifts: Let's Take Another Look...
In this article I want to address the issue of "charismatic gifts." I realize I may get myself into some hot water in doing so (perhaps kicked off of a few blogrolls and get an email from "Pastor Tony") but that's never stopped me before. So let's get to it! (Lord help me!)
Let me begin by saying that I have read materials that have been published by both sides of the controversy and both sides make very good points. After reading MacArthur's Charismatic Chaos, I am still nowhere near being convinced that Scripture supports Cessationism. I found MacArthur's explanation for the cessation of the gifts to be weak and lacking in Scriptural foundation.
Other than that, I agreed with much of the content of the book because MacArthur only seemed to go after after the most heretical members of the Charismatic movement. When it was all said and done, I came away retaining my longstanding opinion that Cessationist arguments are based upon tradition and church history and not a careful exegesis of Scripture.
One thing I do admire and respect about Cessationists is their steadfast dedication to protecting the Canon. These brethren are dedicated to Sola Scriptura and see modern "prophecies" as being a threat to the sufficiency of the Scripture. I get concerned about this issue as well because I have known some who seem to be more interested in a "fresh word" than the Word that is found in their Bibles.
I have personally seen this desire for "fresh" revelation lead to more than a little theological error as well (this can be seen in church history also). Ironically, it is my personal dedication to Sola Scriptura that will not allow me to "throw out the baby with the bathwater" when it comes to Charismata.
Having said that (and I've stated all this before), I do not believe that all we see taking place in the Pentecostal/Charismatic camp is legitimate. I think there is a tremendous amount of emotionalism, prognostication, mysticism, and in some cases psychosomatic experiences being touted as genuine spiritual gifts. Even some my conservative Pentecostal friends agree with me on this...
In spite of all the abuses I have seen and read about, I do not believe Christians should automatically discount the possibility of there being true gifts just because some overzealous people are faking and misusing them. (No more than we should stop using paper money because people are counterfeiting it!)
I really believe everyone -Charismatic and Cessationist alike- needs to take a step back, take a deep breath, and then take a fresh look at what the Bible (and the other side) actually teaches about Spirit Baptism and Charismatic gifts. I mean to say this gently, but I think folks on both sides of the spectrum are so bogged down in their tradition, experience, and presuppositions, until most of them cannot see the issues (or what the Bible actually teaches) very clearly at all!
I think it wouldn't hurt some Cessationists to read some of the works of Wayne Grudem, Sam Storms, or Vern Poythress on the issue. Likewise, it wouldn't hurt some Charismatics to read some scholarly works from a Cessationist perspective to gain an understanding of why they say the gifts have ceased. All the while, we all should "be a Berean" in comparing that which is written to the Word of God.
This is precisely why I read Charismatic Chaos. I wanted to see what the other position had to say. I didn't look for some scholar on the fringe that would be easy to disregard, I tried to get something from one of the better teachers and really see why the man believes what he believes. This is what would like to see people on both sides of the debate do as well.
Please understand that my desire is to pursue the truth about these issues. This is a call for a unified study of the Charismatic gifts and not an attempt to be divisive. I ask that all Christians reevaluate their positions in light of Scripture. I have a few that Cessationist friends who have been willing to do so, and for that I am very thankful!
Suggested Resources for further study:
- Are Miraculous Gifts for Today (Part 1), by Sam Storms
- Are Miraculous Gifts for Today (Part 2), by Sam Storms
- Signs and Wonders: Then and Now, by John Piper
- Modern Spiritual Gifts as Analogous to Apostolic Gifts:
Affirming Extraordinary Works of the Spirit within Cessationist Theology, by Vern S. Poythress - Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians, 12-14, by D.A. Carson *
- Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology, (chapters 52 AND 53)`
- Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, by Jack Deere
- Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? 4 Views, edited by Wayne Grudem *
- Experiential Calvinism and the Charismatic Gifts, by Matt Slick
- Convergence: Spiritual Journeys of a Charismatic Calvinist , (book) by Sam Storms *
- Perspectives On Spirit Baptism: Five Views *
* Indicates that I am either currently reading, or have yet to read, but have heard it is very good.
5 comments:
Rhett, in several of your 'publications' about us 'errant' Pentecostals you have referenced the emotionalism that is one of the commonly known elements of the Pentecostal worship tradition. I am not sure what your personal experience has been, but I gather that you have witnessed some extreme expressions of emotion in the public worship setting.
Well, so have I. But that hasn't frightened me from using my 'God-given' emotions in expressing my love, adoration and awe of the God of my salvation.
I know that within the boundries of nominal Christian circles that the expression of emotion in worship is strongly frowned upon...but it is acceptable for one to express their emotions in the realms of this world. (sports, human-relationships, material gain and loss...etc...) there is something extremely wrong with that picture.
It doesn't take much study to discover that emotional expression has been a part of public worship from the earliest pages of the Scripture. A student of the Scriptures will even find extreme examples that were never scorned by the Lord. However, we do find the corrective scorning coming from unbelievers and and the disgruntled religious hiarchy.
Since all Christian believers, regardless of their theological influence will agree that man was created to worship God, it seems only natural then, and confirmed by the sacred Text, that our Creator gave us our emotions for the same purpose.
Are there extremes? Yes! Are there fake sensationalists? Yes! Are there times when outward expressions of emotion are out-of-order? Yes! But, as you pointed out in your discourse-let's not 'throw out the baby with the bath water', nor ride the pendulum to the extreme grave-yard left and turn our public worship experiences into something that would bore the dead.
A pastor friend of mine recently asked me what I thought the Church needed to correct the massive errors that seem to be prevailing today...as I sat there trying to come up with an answer that sounded like I knew what I was talking about-he answered for me...'We need the Presence of God'...I had nothing else to say...
Brother Tony,
I don't mean to sound like I am against all "emotion" in worship. Not at all! Far from it! I totally believe that our emotions need to engaged in worship. I agree with you that there is too little emotion in some circles!!
Emotion is fine, it's "emotional-ISM" that I have a problem with: i.e. People making ostentatious displays in church serviced simply to garner attention to themselves and/or to make oneself appear to be super-spiritual thus causing a disruption in the service.
What I would like to see within the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement is for the leadership to be willing to correct things that are unscriptural or just plain abberant....
Whenever I have pointed out problems in the past (both in the local church and in the overall movement), I have been warned that I am nigh unto "committing blasphemey against the Holy Ghost", or "I'm speaking against a move of God."
I agree with Masters and Whitcomb who have written:
"If Charismatics believe the unsubstantiated claims of present-day Charismatic leaders they will believe anything! If they believe the ludicrous and extravagant yarns of extrovert, spititually-deluded showmen, how will they stand against the lying wonders to be unleashed by the devil during the final apostacy."
I realize I may be painting with a broad brush in my criticisms. What I write is based mostly upon my experience. Perhaps what I have encountered was the extreme and not the norm.
Most Pentecostal folks I know are good hearted people who want to serve and experience God with all their heart.
On a personal note, Brother Tony, you have been a good friend to me for every since we met at the ministerial review board that day.
So I just want you to know that all I have written (or will write) in reply to your comments is put forth with the highest degree of respect: regardless of the differences of opinion we may have.
God bless,
RK
Rhett,
Don't be alarmed when two guys in black suits and sunglasses show up at your door. I'm sending them around to collect your "Reformed" card.
"Et tu, Brute?" LOL!!!
"Secret Rapture" will probably be willing assist in that Gordan!
;)
Just kidding, of course. I don't call myself a charismatic, but I don't think thorough cessationism is defensible either from Scripture alone.
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