Archive for the ‘Theology – Church/Ecclesiology’ Category

Doug Wilson Interviews Mark Driscoll (Part II) | Spiritual Gifts & Cessationism

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This interview was filmed in the context of the Grace Agenda, hosted by Credenda/Agenda and Canon Press, ministries of Christ Church, in Moscow, Idaho. You may purchase DVD and CD of all the talks at Canon Press.

In this video Doug Wilson interviewed Mark Driscoll with questions of the spiritual gifts and whether the Holy Spirit continues to provide revelation to people today. Driscoll holds to a non-cessationist reading of the Bible. It is an interesting discussion and worth some attention for “Reformed” Christians that take seriously the Bible and how we are to minister in the world.

Driscoll gave several examples of how God spoke to him, and the Holy Spirit provided occasional insights while working with people. Driscoll also talked about having visions (i.e. seeing in his mind something that he happened without being present). Wilson’s qualifying questions about these experiences are very helpful, and provided Driscoll with an opportunity explain himself.

Whether Driscoll is a “cessationist” in the sense that most Reformed folks think of it I am still not sure – but I doubt it. He does not think that God is still adding to the Bible. And yet, the Holy Spirit has not gone away, and, in fact, actively works in our lives to illumine the scriptures to us, and provide insight into things – somethings inexplicably.

If this is what Driscoll means by talking about his being a “non-cessationalist” – It would describe my belief as well! Maybe I’m a Mars Hill/Driscoll type charismatic?

What the video, if for no other reason that it is fun to watch these godly men banter back and forth!

 

Dr. Robert Rayburn

 

At the CREC Tri-Annual meeting of Council we had the great privilege of having Robert Rayburn deliver an address to the delegates and observers present. Rayburn came to his task with the conviction that it is meet and right to address church leaders as such, and to preach a message that would have a timely impact on our denominational leaders. Not surprisingly, it is just as applicable to every Christian.

Without reservation and with unbounded enthusiasm encourage a wide hearing of this sermon on 1 Corinthians 13, as only Rob can deliver it.

 

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:1–13, NKJV)

While In Ireland Amy and I visited the Drogheda Catholic Church - Here is the carving on the altar of The Last Supper (with Mary Magdelene next to Jesus?!)

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