With a mind to personal study of scripture on this, here are some sermons from John Piper on relevant passages. I've not read all of these yet, so this post is partly a reference tool for me... I don't know if I agree with them or not... be Berean and search the scriptures! The Spirit-breathed Word of God.
- Gifts of Healings and Workings of Miracles - 1 Cor 12v1-11
- When will prophecy cease - 1 Cor 13v8-14v5
- The Authority & Nature of the Gift of Prophecy - Acts 2v14-21
- Why the Gift of Prophecy is Not the Usual Way of Knowing God's Will
- Living in the Spirit and in the Body for the Common Good - 1 Cor 12v1-13
- Feelings of Uselessness - 1 Cor 12v14-20
- Feelings of self-sufficiency - 1 Cor 12v21-27
It is difficult not to involve experience as, although the bible is normative, if you agree that Tongues/Prophecy etc were meant to continue beyond the Apostolic Age the next question is always going to be is whether what we experience in x church is actually what Paul and Luke were talking about or something else.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am convinced that there is no hint that the early church considered that these gifts were to cease I do not think that I am alone in considering that some of what I have met under the banner seems really deficient (although there is much which is not which would point the other way).
Experience must then have a vital place... although I am not certain exactly what place.
Another factor in the debate that lies beneath the surface is a still harboured post-enlightenment suspision of anything overtly super-natural, as well as a fear of something that you cannot control (by interpreting away). This is a disease I cannot seem to shake, and I do not think I am alone.
Lord renew my mind.
Yeah, ultimately the whole debate is about experience - whether cessation is our experience or charismata... and thats before we even get to JOY...
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