Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Sola Scriptura and Therefore Charismatic?!



I came across the above video by Dr Michael Brown, speaking in defense of the Pentecostal Charismatic movement, which he apparently adheres to, who believe in (and claim) the continuation of the miraculous gifts mentioned in the Bible, such as the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and healing etc. His argument is that there is nothing in the Bible that says that such gifts should be done away, notably quoting the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 14:39, “Wherefor, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” His argument basically is that the Bible does not say that such gifts should be done away, therefore the Pentecostal Charismatic claims to possessing such gifts are true. That is not a valid logical argument. Just because the Bible does not say that such gifts should be done away, it does not logically follow that anybody making such claims (including the Penticostal Charismatics) must therefore be genuine and true. The Bible also teaches that it is possible for people to make false claims; and it is also possible for some to be deceived. Jesus says, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matt. 24:4) And John wrote, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” (1 John 4:4) To Timothy Paul wrote, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Tim. 3:13) To the Thessalonians Paul writes, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thes. 5:21) In the same chapter of Paul that he quotes from, verses 32 and 33, Paul also says, “And the spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Cor. 14:32–33) And again in verse 40 he says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14:40) The kind of erratic, uncontrolled, and abnormal (even dangerous) behavior sometimes manifested by those who make such claims in the charismatic movement is evidence that they are not genuine. They are at best false pretenses, and at worst evidence of demonic possession. We are required to “try the spirits,” to see if they be “of God;” and not believe “every spirit” (1 John 4:1). “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thes. 5:21–22.) Paul further says, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” (Gal. 5:22.) And again, “For the fruit of the Spirit is all goodness and righteousness and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (Eph. 5:9–10.) The spirit manifested by these folks contradicts that, therefore it cannot be of God. The erratic and abnormal (even dangerous) behaviors sometimes manifested by those who make such claims in the charismatic movement are telltale signs that their claims are not genuine.

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