Davidius
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
From the time I was converted to faith in Christ about three years ago up until about 9 months ago I was part of strongly charismatic churches who taught the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a second blessing and who taught about/often tried to exhibit the gifts of tongues and prophecy which I am beginning to believe ceased at the end of the apostolic age (have been reading the forums here and also a book by O. Palmer Robertson).
When I was a charismatic, one thing I always used to believe was that cessationists were building their own doctrines on traditions or on a 'fear of the supernatural' in the face of glaring biblical support for the continuation of the miraculous gifts as well as an abundance of empirical evidence 'proving' that my side was right.
When I began to study Reformed theology I knew I would have to get into the issue of spiritual gifts sooner or later, and I feel like what I've been reading on the subject has really helped me understand the purpose/function of miraculous gifts through Biblical Theology, etc. On top of that, I've been able to understand what the little nagging feelings I used to get when a lot of these "miraculous" things were taking place around me was, and I am able to admit now that much of my experience was not valid.
I was wondering what I should say to people who, as I used to, frequently use the "proof" of widespread signs and wonders going on in various places around the world, whether it be obscure "healing centers" in America or on the mission field in Africa. Are these reports true? If not, are people just being totally deceived as to what they're experiencing? I also know lots of people who claim the existence of "satanic" miraculous power, again mostly in other countries, etc, saying that dark magic is real and alive in places where voodoo and other such practices are common, and use this as another reason to necessitate the existence of Christian miraculous power, that is, to counter such things.
So what should I say to people who speak of such things?
When I was a charismatic, one thing I always used to believe was that cessationists were building their own doctrines on traditions or on a 'fear of the supernatural' in the face of glaring biblical support for the continuation of the miraculous gifts as well as an abundance of empirical evidence 'proving' that my side was right.
When I began to study Reformed theology I knew I would have to get into the issue of spiritual gifts sooner or later, and I feel like what I've been reading on the subject has really helped me understand the purpose/function of miraculous gifts through Biblical Theology, etc. On top of that, I've been able to understand what the little nagging feelings I used to get when a lot of these "miraculous" things were taking place around me was, and I am able to admit now that much of my experience was not valid.
I was wondering what I should say to people who, as I used to, frequently use the "proof" of widespread signs and wonders going on in various places around the world, whether it be obscure "healing centers" in America or on the mission field in Africa. Are these reports true? If not, are people just being totally deceived as to what they're experiencing? I also know lots of people who claim the existence of "satanic" miraculous power, again mostly in other countries, etc, saying that dark magic is real and alive in places where voodoo and other such practices are common, and use this as another reason to necessitate the existence of Christian miraculous power, that is, to counter such things.
So what should I say to people who speak of such things?