PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- MARCH 17, 2008

Are gifts of the Spirit imparted by others -- and what if they aren't?

Q. A Christian friend recently attended a conference on "impartation" -- meaning that we are imparted with various gifts of the spirit from those around us. He talked about the music at the conference and how people were so inspired that they were staggering in the aisles. I commented that God's spirit is that of a sound mind and not of staggering. But then I was reminded of how King David danced before the Lord. I am wondering if this biblical incident can be applied to various charismatic and pentecostal activities. David's wife suffered for her judgmental attitude toward David's dancing. Is this a fair comparison or not? I think sometimes we judge matters based on our comfort level -- what we would feel comfortable doing or not doing.

A. Of course we do judge unrighteous judgment, all the time -- and we do, as you say, judge others based on our comfort levels, on what we have always done, on the status quo as we see it. This does not mean that the various Pentecostal manifestations -- including being slain in the spirit, holy laughter, barking (like a dog), levitation, snake handling, etc. -- have biblical approval.

What it does mean (from your example, and the passage you cite) is that we should be reticent to condemn another as they express their joy, their delight, their happiness, particularly in a spiritual context of their relationship with God. We need not emulate others, but we may conclude that such activities may be beneficial for them, without concluding that we must participate as well.

Relatively few people, in a religious setting, are willing to take such a perspective. The perspective is usually expressed in one of two ways: 1) "I do XXX -- and so should you -- if not, you're not a Christian -- or at the very least, not as good of a Christian as I am." 2) "I see that you do XXX -- and you shouldn't do that -- if you continue to, I can't approve. I don't experience God that way, and neither should you. If you keep it up, I will have to conclude that you may not even be a Christian."

As for the idea of divine gifts being imparted to us by other human beings, I don't see any biblical teaching that would support such an idea -- nor do I see documentation of such claims during the history of Christianity. It seems to me that gifts of the Holy Spirit are divinely imparted.

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