Eoghan
Puritan Board Senior
I am slowly working through the book and am intrigued by many things John has uncovered such as the roots of the charismatic movement in topical exposition (as opposed to systematic).
I have however been surprised to read his observations on the charismatic gifts discussed in 1 Corinthians.
Note that in 1 Corinthians 14:2 Paul was criticizing the Corinthians for using their gift of tongues to speak to God and not to men: One who uses a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries." Paul's comment is not suggesting that tongues should be used as a "prayer language"; he was using irony... Page 279
As we have seen (Chapter 7) the mystery religions in and around Corinth in the first century made wide use of ecstatic speech and trancelike experiences. I t seems that some of the Corinthians had corrupted the gift of tongues by using the ecstatic counterfeit. Page 278
1 Corinthians 12:31 which is usually translated "But earnestly desire the greater gifts." The verb form is either indicative or imperative (NIV notes the former). MacArthur prefers the translation "But you are eagerly desiring the greater gifts." This becomes a rebuke of self aggrandizement and an inflated ego - sound familiar in a charismatic context?
My question is what we make of this treatment of I Corinthians? I am naturally inclined to go along with John MacArthur but not at the expense of altering scripture to fit my theology.
What do you think of this way of reading Corinthians?
I have however been surprised to read his observations on the charismatic gifts discussed in 1 Corinthians.
Note that in 1 Corinthians 14:2 Paul was criticizing the Corinthians for using their gift of tongues to speak to God and not to men: One who uses a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries." Paul's comment is not suggesting that tongues should be used as a "prayer language"; he was using irony... Page 279
As we have seen (Chapter 7) the mystery religions in and around Corinth in the first century made wide use of ecstatic speech and trancelike experiences. I t seems that some of the Corinthians had corrupted the gift of tongues by using the ecstatic counterfeit. Page 278
1 Corinthians 12:31 which is usually translated "But earnestly desire the greater gifts." The verb form is either indicative or imperative (NIV notes the former). MacArthur prefers the translation "But you are eagerly desiring the greater gifts." This becomes a rebuke of self aggrandizement and an inflated ego - sound familiar in a charismatic context?
My question is what we make of this treatment of I Corinthians? I am naturally inclined to go along with John MacArthur but not at the expense of altering scripture to fit my theology.
What do you think of this way of reading Corinthians?