I’ve had a few folks reach out and ask, “who’s Wes Huff?” He is a Canadian Christian Apologist, Reformed Baptist Theologian, and public speaker. His speciality appears to be in the history of ancient biblical manuscripts. Huff is currently pursuing a PhD (may have finished) in theological studies and sacred and canonical texts at the University of Toronto. He has been recognized for his work in apologetics and cultural engagement. As a contemporary Church Historian trained in Reformed Theology, he has become a contemporary sensation after his interview with Joe Rogan. I personally enjoy listening to him on many platforms and I have found him to be a tremendous Kingdom asset. So, I encourage readers to listen to him as opportunity arises.
He recently waded into the discussion of “tongues”. It has caused a significant “dust-up” as he suggested several things which continuationists in general, and Pentecostals in particular, might challenge. He claimed he wasn’t a cessationist, but used all the cessationist bullet points in dismissing GLOSSALALEO as unknown or unintelligible language. He also appealed to Church History by mentioning the so-called “heretic”, Montanus and his second century movement. This is the same historic appeal John MacArthur would make in his multiple reprints and revisions of Charismatic Chaos (1977) and subsequent Strange Fire (2013) books. I mention this as there needs to be some pushback on the use of Montanus as an historical illustration to the error of continuationism.
Montanus led a group of believers in Phrygia in Asia Minor or what we now know as Turkey. He lived in the late 2nd & early 3rd century. He felt his call was renewal and an emphasis on the Holy Spirit. His movement was controversial at the time and eventually declared a heresy in 381 A.D. at the Council of Constantinople.
Both Wes & MacArthur, appeal to this heresy condemnation as historic proof that Charismatic or Pentecostal practices are error. I always find it fascinating that Baptists and Reformed Theologians who are loathe to accept anything Catholic and who maintain that theological corruption was already entering its ranks by this stage, now appeal to it to make their case. I call that historical “cherry-picking”. But their credentials are so impressive that the average person is reluctant to challenge their assertions. So, it begs the question, “What exactly did they teach which broke the threshold of acceptability?” Let’s see…
- The Holy Spirit still speaks prophetically through people.
- Prophecy could come in ecstatic utterance (tongues)
- The end times were near.
- Strict holiness and separation from worldliness.
- Martyrdom should be embraced courageously.
- The church had become spiritually compromised & resistant to the Holy Spirit.
- Women could minister prophetically. (This is to be distinguished from the complimentarian v. egalitarian debate)
- Extra fasting and discipline were encouraged.
- Serious post-baptism sins were treated very severely.
- They believed the age of the Spirit had intensified & greater outpouring was possible.
The heresy claim upon Montanism is so spurious, that John Wesley indicated in his journals that in his opinion they (Montanists) were genuine, scriptural Christians. To paraphrase his thoughts, “Dry men ridicule things they do not possess to retain credibility they desperately need.”
Montanus was attempting to revive what had been lost.
While I will quickly stipulate that I am not at the scholarly level Wess Huff is currently, I can rightly critique the use of church history as de facto authority. The same Church which is appealed to as authority in declaring Montanus and followers heretics, is the same church which declared other reformers heretics. We must be careful in using incidents of history in arbitrary or capricious ways. That is called colloquially as “cherry picking”.
Again, Wes has a lot of great things to share to which we all would agree. But the day of picking on Pentecostals without any pushback is over…
Have a great Thursday folks and remember…
Jesus is Lord,
And
This Sunday we celebrate PENTECOST SUNDAY!
I’m ready for a fresh outpouring!
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