Neuroimaging Takes a Look at Tongues...

It appears that scienists have confirmed that something is definetly happening -or rather not happening- in the brain of Christians who pray in tongues.

Language Center of the Brain Is Not Under the Control of Subjects Who “Speak in Tongues” -Penn Medicine (brain scan images)

Speaking in tongues: Faith's language barrier? -USA Today

A Neuroscientific Look at Speaking in Tongues -New York Times


For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. -1 Cor 14:14

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.

Meeting MacArthur

During a bookstore break at the Ligonier Conference last weekend, I decided to buy a cheap paperback copy of John MacArthur's book "Charismatic Chaos." I have been wanting to read it for a while now just to see what he had to say about the Charismatic movement and the theoretical cessation of certain spiritual gifts.

(While I disagree with Cessationism, I do stand in unity with Cessationists and conservative Pentecostal/Charismatics in condemning the unbiblical "chaos" that occurs within the movement.)

On the second day of the conference, I was fortunate enough to get right at the head of the line for a book signing in which John MacArthur and R.C Sproul were participating.

So there I was, the ex-Pentecostal minister standing in line to get MacArthur to autograph Charismatic Chaos! The irony of the whole situation was just too much!

When my turn came to approach the table, I laid the Charismatic Chaos book on the table and said, "Hello Dr. MacArthur... You might find this sort of ironic, but I was actually a Pentecostal minister up until about 8 months ago. I got your book because I am researching different viewpoints and I want to see what your position is..."

At that point, Dr. MacArthur abruptly dropped his pen on the table, looked up at me with a surprised expression, smiled, and then extended me the right hand of fellowship!!!

As he autographed the book, I confessed to him that after skimming through his book, there were indeed many things that I actually agree with him about; especially when it comes to all of the weird and unbiblical manifestations sometimes reported within the Charismatic movement.

Before I moved down the line, I told him that I was now in the Southern Baptist movement, to which his reply was: "Well, you are moving in the right direction!"

While it only lasted about 20 seconds, I am sure I will always remember meeting John MacArthur. Despite the few theological differences I may have with him, John is definitely one of my "heroes of the faith." God has used his teaching to enrich my life and deepen my theology. Because of that he has my utmost respect.

My God richly bless John MacArthur!