This will be my last post, for now, concerning the animus which revolves around cessationism and continuationism. I want to explore and offer some suggestions as to how the vitriol can get dialed down and preserve some semblance of Christian unity for the sake of the Gospel and our witness to the world (John 17:20-23, 13:34-35). Years ago, while pastoring a church in Charleston, SC., John MacArthur hosted the first Strange Fire Conference which solicited thousands of pastors to attend. The Strange Fire book and conference were basically an updated and expanded version of his 1978 original book entitled, “The Charismatics”, which attempted to address a relatively new phenomenon at the time best represented in the Renewal Movement. It was updated in 1980 and then retitled in 1992 to “Charismatic Chaos”. So, MacArthur was hot on the trail of Charismatics for many years. The Strange Fire Conference obviously solicited great attention which was a part of the reason it was held. MacArthur felt it was time to escalate his concerns and the challenges he perceived it represented. Hey, it’s America and everybody gets to declare their views and theology. But in an age of social media and incredible public influence, religious views get scrutiny too. I decided I could not let some of the accusations which originated from that conference go unchallenged. So, I posted vigorous rebuttals.
A pastoral colleague (cessationist) in the city reached out to me and asked that we meet for a cup of coffee and talk together. I accepted and after two hours of sharing we were able to walk away mutually appreciating and understanding each other without compromising on some of our core beliefs. I think that could happen in a national way if each group was resolute in finding the path to walk in truth and peace. In that spirit, I would offer these FOUR resolutions to foster better unity before the watching world.
- Everyone brings their experiences to their theology.
One of the reasons this debate often gets quite heated is because of how one’s personal experience tends to factor into it. Everyone will STATE that their conclusions are derived from the Scriptures, but an honest interpreter always realizes that their experiences are lingering in their shadows of their mind. On the one side you have people who’ve never experienced the miraculous. Maybe they’ve seen too many prayers for healing go unanswered. Perhaps they have only seen the charlatan. Consequently, they clash up against their brothers and sisters who have had legitimate supernatural experiences and these experiences they believe match up with what we see depicted in the New Testament. None of us approaches Scripture as a blank slate, and our experiences (or lack thereof) are a very important factor. They can potentially serve to verify whether our (fallible) interpretations of Scripture are correct. The reverse is also true — our reading of Scripture should make us reexamine whether we’ve correctly interpreted our experiences. All of this is to say, people on both sides are affected by their personal experience, whether consciously or not. Be careful before throwing out accusations that people are being guided by solely experience.
- We have more in common than we may think.
This doesn’t get stressed as much as it probably needs. Many times the debate gets overly polarized and incendiary. You don’t have to look far to find someone claiming that all charismatics are being deceived by Satan, or that cessationists are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. The reality is that we can find examples of people on both sides who are teaching heresy or living immoral lifestyles, but that doesn’t mean that everyone on that side is the enemy. It also does not necessarily prove either position wrong. It simply means there are human beings on both sides. We can find Jesus-worshiping, Bible-believing, Spirit-filled Christians on both sides of this theological aisle. (Yes, even cessationists have the Holy Spirit! And yes, charismatics do trust the Bible as God’s authoritative word!) Just because there are tares on a particular side doesn’t mean there is not also wheat on that side. In this case, we need to focus on the Scriptures and what they call us to rather than focusing on pointing fingers at others.
- We must avoid conflating a singular problem in either group to being a problem with the whole group.
This point deserves its own emphasis. Sadly, it’s become common to see cessationists smearing all their charismatic brothers and sisters as pursuing a “health-and-wealth,” “name-and-claim-it”, or Prosperity Gospel. This is a very serious mischaracterization (dare I say slander?) of many continuationists. It’s also a false dichotomy. The truth is that you can affirm the continuance of the miraculous gifts without ever affirming that God wants you to seek monetary riches. Those of us continuationists who seek to be faithful to Scripture are quick to affirm that gifts like prophecy, tongues, and healing are never to be sought for our own selfish sake (much less for profit!), but are signs that point to Jesus’ reign and the truth of the gospel, and are ways God releases his grace and builds people’s faith. We also acknowledge that the gospel includes the call to take up our crosses and endure suffering for the sake of King Jesus. None of us is assured total health or material comfort perpetually on this side of eternity. We acknowledge we live in a fallen world under the wrath of God. Indeed, in this world we followers of Jesus are guaranteed to encounter trials. Obviously I cannot claim to speak for all charismatics or continuationists, and I am deeply grieved by the error some spread and would say as much. But such teachings are not a de facto component of charismatic belief. You do not have to affirm every health-and-wealth idea floating around to affirm that the sign gifts are still present. Also, we do well to acknowledge prominent continuationist academics who are actively opposing and attempting to correct any false teaching in our ranks.
At the same time, Charismatics must be judicious in not labeling every justified criticism of something in our ranks as “blaspheming the Holy Ghost”. Now I must point the finger at many in my own camp: We’re often quick to conclude that to be a cessationist is to deny the reality of spiritual gifts in general. Such is not always the case (See the spectrum analysis on post #1). Nor is it the case that a cessationist can’t be filled with the Holy Spirit. Our understanding and hermeneutical conclusion is different than theirs, but Spirit’s work is not subject to our biases on either side of the divide. My friend of whom I wrote about earlier, demonstrated all the fruits of the Spirit in our conversation. To say he “lacks” something isn’t necessarily so. I may see it differently and he may see it differently, but we both see it in the Bible.
- We must not talk past one another but actually hear what each one is saying.
The greatest example of this can be found in how each group defines and accommodates the concept of “revelation” (How God discloses or unveils Himself to us.). Continuationists generally see revelation in three distinct ways:
a. General revelation – This might include the order of creation, a person’s testimony, a providential act.
b. Special Revelation – This includes the Bible and the Person of Jesus Christ Himself.
c. Personal revelation – The inner witness and voice of the Holy Spirit or the conscience.
Most cessationists I have met (and I will stipulate that not ALL may define it as such), see revelation as singularly or primarily (sometimes ONLY) as Special Revelation (best recognized by the capital “R”). Now here is where almost all of us agree. ALL REVELATION must not and cannot violate the Revelation of the Bible. The Bible is the objective standard of measurement or what we call, “canon”. If you claim to have “heard from God” (which is a subjective experience), then that word must not violate what God has revealed through the Scripture (which is the objective standard). In fact, there should be some solid confirmation that what has been said is confirmed by the Scripture.
But here is the mix-up…
When Charismatics hear from God (subjective), it is often times called, “revelation”. Hence, when cessationists hear that word “revelation” used in such a way they interpret it as saying, “God is adding to the Bible”. Which is not what most Charismatics are saying. This is illustrated many times with the practice of New Testament prophecy. Most continuationist pastors I know handle modern day prophecy as a source of encouragement, consolation, and edification for the church or person receiving such a word and not an addition to the Scriptures (I Corinthians 14:3). The Bible is indeed a comprehensive, authoritative, uniquely inspired Book of God’s heart and mind into every arena of life. It is errorless and the final say on everything it touches. But, the Holy Spirit is at work in people’s lives leading and guiding them specifically into their personal promises, destinies, and the Will of God which may not be individually addressed in the Bible.
Do cessationists believe the Holy Spirit is “leading and guiding them”. Of course. Most make provision for the inner nudges of the Holy Spirit and other personal interactions with the Lord. The contention, I believe, comes through use of the term, revelation. Revelation is closed and can now only be found in the Bible according to the cessationist. The continuationist states that Special Revelation is closed and there is no more Biblical level, authoritative, information being released. However, the Lord through His Spirit is revealing specific plans to His people which can be confirmed and not conflict with the Scriptures. This is one of the ways we need to listen to one another and talk past each other.
Well, I hope those who chose to wade through these waters have been enlightened or helped to some degree. I think it’s time we put down the verbal darts and see how we can potentially be a bit more gracious with one another. As I entitled the series, I really don’t like fighting, but I’m no longer staying silent when my “tribe” is being assaulted.
Until next time…
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