In months and years past I used to be a frequent poster over at Sempor Reformada and when it became apparant that my personal views on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and that they have not ceased put me in a distinct minority and that all of my scriptural exegis to support my view was either laughed at or ignored I posted there less and less. Well - there are some more rumblings over there on this topic again and I decided to post the following:
One particular observation I have made of this - is that many of the main opponents to the gifts not ceasing around here have some sort of personal beef with or history in a charasmatic or pentacostal background.
I'm not sure how much validity such folks can bring to this argument - as it is apparant that there is a personal bias against it based greatly on such experience and negative emotions towards those situations. I can speak from personal experience as I certainly fell into this category at one time in my life.
I can certainly give credence to someone who comes from a pentacostal background - enjoyed his time there - yet decided against it based on scriptural exegis ALONE. I don't see that too often however. If there is anyone here who fits that category - I'd be happy to objectively listen to your arguments.
All others - I'm sorry - but I view your arguments as nothing more than a personal vendetta against a church, preacher, or person who some how wronged you who happens to be charismatic or abused the gifts to their own personal gain.
Sorry for the harsh tone here - but I'm only calling it the way I see it.
I'm not sure what kind of reaction I'll get on that. I tried to keep civil and respectful - but it was a point that I felt needed to be made. I have a fellow poster whom I consider to be a friend getting into the fray on this - and as I was reading his posts and the reaction to his posts this observation became clear to me.
I truly would like to engage in discussion on this with someone who left the charismatic movement on good terms - but through exegis he couldn't in good conscious continue in those circles - but such a person just doesn't seem to be hanging around the Semper Reformada boards....
I will say this - being a Charismatic and Calvinist does tend to put one in a rather precarious situation. Most Charismatics hate the teachings of Calvinism and most Calvinists are appalled at any thought of a continued use of the gifts.
One particular observation I have made of this - is that many of the main opponents to the gifts not ceasing around here have some sort of personal beef with or history in a charasmatic or pentacostal background.
I'm not sure how much validity such folks can bring to this argument - as it is apparant that there is a personal bias against it based greatly on such experience and negative emotions towards those situations. I can speak from personal experience as I certainly fell into this category at one time in my life.
I can certainly give credence to someone who comes from a pentacostal background - enjoyed his time there - yet decided against it based on scriptural exegis ALONE. I don't see that too often however. If there is anyone here who fits that category - I'd be happy to objectively listen to your arguments.
All others - I'm sorry - but I view your arguments as nothing more than a personal vendetta against a church, preacher, or person who some how wronged you who happens to be charismatic or abused the gifts to their own personal gain.
Sorry for the harsh tone here - but I'm only calling it the way I see it.
I'm not sure what kind of reaction I'll get on that. I tried to keep civil and respectful - but it was a point that I felt needed to be made. I have a fellow poster whom I consider to be a friend getting into the fray on this - and as I was reading his posts and the reaction to his posts this observation became clear to me.
I truly would like to engage in discussion on this with someone who left the charismatic movement on good terms - but through exegis he couldn't in good conscious continue in those circles - but such a person just doesn't seem to be hanging around the Semper Reformada boards....
I will say this - being a Charismatic and Calvinist does tend to put one in a rather precarious situation. Most Charismatics hate the teachings of Calvinism and most Calvinists are appalled at any thought of a continued use of the gifts.
