Question:
Dear Greg,
I
do not believe that all of the spiritual gifts are still in use today,
particularly the gifts of prophecy, word of wisdom, tongues and word of
knowledge. Here are my questions:
1.
If charismatics are speaking in the true spiritual gifts of tongues, why
do they
2.
If there are still true prophets today, how can the Bible be complete?
3.
Why do charismatics misinterpret Isaiah 53:5 as meaning we are physically
Tonya
Answer: Dear Tonya,
PTM
believes that God might give these signs to some Christians—we do not dispute
that. But we most certainly resist
the idea that such signs are a sign of God’s favor, a sign of a “second
blessing” or some indication that God is happier and more pleased with those
who claim to have these gifts.
It
would seem from the viewpoint of 1900 years of historic, orthodox Christianity
that the cessationist view—that some spiritual gifts such as tongues and
healing were obviously present in the early church but not so evident over the
last 1900 years--has much in its favor. As
far as prophecy (which can mean inspired teaching as well as foretelling of
future events--even though the vast majority think of prophecy as foretelling)
and the “word of knowledge”—the evidence of abuse, of fabrication and of
manipulation is so strong that at the very best, logic must tell us that these
are highly subjectively understood and interpreted.
In
Christ,
Greg
Albrecht