Miraculous Gifts and All That

Ok so here's my two cents worth on the topic. I've been thinking about it all week (well for some of it at least) and this is my definitive stance. Broadly speaking I am a cessassionist. I believe that the 'miraculous gifts' seen in the New Testement and proclaimed as still in evidence today by Charasmatics/Pentecostals are, in fact, no longer needed and not in use...

Blunt, I know.

First things first. We have to ask ourselves 'what are miracles?' 'what is the biblical position of miracles?' it seems abundantley clear to me from scripture that miraculous acts in both the OT & NT were ALWAYS used as proof of either the prophets ministry i.e Elijah, Moses or concerning the validity of Jesus i.e Christ himself and the apostles. As far as I am concerned the biblical pattern of miracles can be best summed up like this "where miracles are performed we should expect to hear the inspired Word of God spoken. When there is no prophet there is no signs." Walter J. Chantry Signs of the Apostles (Banner of Truth).

Well, we have the Word of God. It is complete. The canon of Scripture is closed.

Therefore anyone who proclaims that they are bringing some sort of special revelation from God is clearly not. If someone speaks in tongues 'from God' they are not. If someone prophecies a word 'from God' they are not. If anyone claims to heal a person 'from God' they are not. God has spoken, he has fully revealed himself in his Word and in his Son. In sending us Jesus God has granted us the greatest 'miraculous gift' that of salvation and faith.

And if someone were to say 'well I know thay my gifts are not a revelation from God but I still miraculously speak in tongues...' So what? It's not God's word, so who cares what they say?

Scripture promises that the 'miraculous gifts' will depart in 1 Cor 12 & 13 but what will remain? Love. 1 Corinthians 13 8-12 is fairly conclusive on the matter.

My dad reckons that 'spiritual gifts' is a topic that can never be fully resolved and defeated from scripture either way. I'm not so sure. But my mind is made up. This topic pales in comparison to other theological battle grounds and whilst I am always prepared to stand my ground, my mind is made up and so I will not worry.

I too found Ferguson's 'The Holy Spirit' extremely tough, his scholarly writing head is a tough one to crack! But I would reccomend Walter J Chantry's far more slender pastoral book which has been a real help for me this week.

Thoughts anyone?

Edwards on Arminianism

A few years ago I decided that I needed to mature in my spiritual life and began to take a great interest in reading and understanding doctrine. One of my first areas of consideration was the doctrine of Predestination (being the wonderfully volatile subject it is) and was introduced to a wonderful book called Calvinism: Defined, Defended, Documented by Steele, Thomas and Quinn. After reading the book, and the relevant scripture that is found in abundance within, I became a fully convinced, badge wearing Five Pointer (although more of a TUPIP than a TULIP). University then held many interesting conversations amongst my Christian peers and I tried my hardest to defend Calvinism.

However, I have always struggled with the challenge of knowing how firm to hold onto the set of doctrine known as Calvinism. Should it be something that I refuse no ground to? Or should I be willing to sacrifice it in the face of Arminianistic brothers and sisters in the name of unity? Iain Murray shares some helpful thoughts from Jonathan Edwards:

"...he saw, as Owen before him, that Christianity itself could not long be upheld if concessions were made to accommodate objections to Calvinism. The danger from Arminianism lay not simply in a few particular errors but in its whole tendency. While it claimed to be based upon Scripture the popular strength of its arguments depended on the contention that Calvinistic belief is not reconcilable with human reason... This mode off argument by-passed two facts; first, that reason is 'impaired, depraved and corrupted', and second, that 'the gospel requires men to believe things above reason merely on the authority of Divine revelation.' If all the doctrines 'which have anything of spiritual mystery in them and so not absolutely reconcilable unto reason as corrupt and carnal' were judged as Arminianism judges the doctrine of sovereign grace, how much Christianity would remain?" Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography by Iain Murray (published by Banner of Truth)

Jonathan Edwards

Recently I have been reading Iain Murray's excellent biography of Jonathan Edwards published by Banner. I have taken a great interest in Edwards this year having found his abridged works (published by Grace Publications) most helpful. I was struck by Edwards' direct and unapologetic style and his scripture centred approach which both shook me and allowed me to vividly imagine his awed audience. Murray's biography tells of a highly intelligent young man who became consumed with a passion for God's word at a very young age, devoting his entire life towards the preaching of it. It saddens me that very few Pastors today seem to preach as Edwards did- the gospel is plain and simple and should be preached as so! I hope and pray that my heart will ever be changed to be like Edwards' and the Puritans- that I might be meek and humble and also full of zeal for the word of God!

Banner of Truth

This is just a bridge post so that no-one can accuse me of once again walking of the 'straight and narrow blog'!! I'm hoping to, over the next few days, post my thoughts on the Banner of Truth Youth Conference that I was fortunate to attend not long ago. But whilst I collect all my notes and have a think I thought I'd briefly post on Banner in general.

I have been greatly blessed in my life to have been brought up in a God fearing home, and a doctrinally reformed one at that. Whilst the Andrews family home has been far from perfect over the last 21 years (many a time because of myself!) a Godly upbringing has been one of the reasons that I am (hopefully!) a well balanced human being and Christian. Much of what I have learnt in my Christian walk has been through the teaching of my parents and I am grateful to them for that. One of the reasons for my parents sound teaching has been their reliance on good material from writers through the ages which have mostly been published by the Banner of Truth. Whilst there are many other good Christian publishing houses, none have the reputation for consistently publishing high quality reformed books that Banner has. My dad has always encouraged me to consider Banner books and I believe that this has paid a great dividend on my life. In a Christian generation that would largely struggle to name even a single Puritan writer, for example, Banner has striven to encourage its Puritan paperbacks series to young people and I for one continue to learn so much from men such as John Owen, Thomas Brookes, Richard Baxtar, Thomas Watson and (currently) Richard Sibbes. I would like to thank the Banner of Truth for their continuing publication of high quality materials for the believer to enjoy and learn from, particularly Iain Murray who is a marvellous and Godly man. I would like to encourage anyone to read a Banner book and if you have any particular concerns or interests please contact me and I will strive to recommend a title or two!