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.
Contemporary Church Issues
Cessationism vs. Continuationism: “I don’t want to fight, but I won’t be silent” (Part 2)
Hopefully you read part 1 of these posts and get the sense of why I am addressing this theological kerfuffle. I will say it again, I have no expectation of changing anyone’s mind or position. The divide between cessationists and continuationists is significant and passionate in many ways. Highly influential cessationist’s believe, as one notable pastor often put it, “that charismatics are a cancer in the body of Christ.” I will never forget years ago, attending a conference for pastors hosted and underwritten by a well-known activist organization that platformed a well respected Reformed/Cessationist pastor. It was the very first session and he was the lead-off speaker. He was tasked with giving the devotional to this group of highly diverse, orthodox evangelical pastors from various Bible-believing denominations and nondenominational churches. There were some notable ministries represented in the congregation of pastors. This gentleman chose to open his devotional by firing generalized condescension at Charismatics and Pentecostals. There were a lot of continuationists in that room. The remarks made a few chuckle, but you could sense the tension in the room immediately. As I sat there, battling no small sense of theological offense myself, I simply mused, “Why?” Why would someone go out of their way to alienate over half the crowd by declaring their theological elitism and superiority? Sadly, several workshops had similar moments of imprecision and generalization aimed directly at the Pentecostals and Charismatics in attendance. By the middle of the conference, over half the attendees had ceased attending. Why not? No one attending wants to endure having their doctrine assailed continually. Especially when that doctrine is scripturally, historically, and theologically sound.
Cessationism vs. Continuationism: “I don’t want to fight, but I won’t be silent” (Part 1)
I have a feeling the average American church member is not nearly as invested in theological fighting as many shepherds seem to be. For many, they will read a 5 to 7 syllable word and instantly check out mentally. “What does that have to do with my relationship to God”, they think. “I’m just trying to keep up with my marriage, my kids, and the job”, they say. “Anything over 3 syllables takes more attention and energy than I have time for”, they reason.
The average church member may have a point on most occasions, but this time concerning the words above, it may be worthy to consider this debate.
Critiquing Spiritual Language (Tongues) – A response (Part 6 and final)
I have mentioned in the previous 5 posts that after 46 years of vocational ministry of which 36 years were that of a pastor of several local churches and almost 20 years of orthodox, interdenominational ministry encompassing the spectrum of evangelical thought, that I have a host of friends on either side of the theological divide on a number of issues. It can be a tricky road to articulate your personal views without alienating those with whom you may have disagreement. For me, I can fellowship with those of legitimate Christian faith and experience without having to land in the exact same theological square at every turn. I can respect a valid biblical position other than my own opinion. That said, I have biblical opinions too. So as I post and seek to encourage and strengthen the ranks of my continuationist friends (of which I am obviously one), I have no intention of disparaging my cessationist friends.
Critiquing Spiritual Language (Tongues) – A response (Part 5)
I have pondered and studied for years the dynamics of the Acts 2 outpouring. I need to give some context to my question as to why this might even be important, as well as answer the 5th critique which states:
Critique #5: Tongues were a known language.
I started my journey with Jesus in non-Pentecostal and non-charismatic circles. I could say that at the time it was “anti-Pentecostal” and gave no quarter to certain manifestations, especially the concept of unknown tongues. I tell you that because I sat in graduate school under that perspective and scholarship. I pastored during an early time period when my denomination superiors actively encouraged us to approach any member of our church practicing such things and exhort them to cease, even if their practice was in private. Ordination would be impossible if this manifestation was a part of your spiritual life. This stuff was serious business. So, I come at this from an initial, early disposition of great skepticism. My academic foundation taught that when the disciples were baptized with the Spirit, they supernaturally received the ability to speak in a KNOWN language not of their own. I have read Acts 2, what seems like thousands of times (maybe embellishment), and that interpretation never answered all my questions or satisfied certain mysteries for me. For example: