Charismata and the Post-Revelatory World

I don't consider myself a learned theologian.  Nor do I consider myself a "decent" Christian.  I struggle daily with understanding the faith God has graciously given me in Christ, by the power of His Holy Spirit; how to connect it to work, my professional relationships, my family, my friends, and my inward life; with sinful and selfish pride (among other things).  I often have doubts regarding the physical nature of things around me (life often feels like a TV which I'm waiting to be turned off), and I have discipline issues when it comes to reading and memorizing Scripture.  I'm saying these things not to sound good through humility (though I'm sure there's a motive like that somewhere inside); instead, I wanted to be clear on one thing: I don't want to write on this blog because I feel like I have a lot to offer.  Rather, I decided to write these next few articles because it helps me systematize my thoughts and buckle down and pore through Scripture and other writings which discuss spiritual gifts.  In the meantime, if someone finds these things interesting or helpful, then thanks be to God.

Over the past 2 years, I've undergone a fairly intense re-education of my theology and doctrine.  I've studied God's means of grace, His Covenantal relationship to mankind, the Sacraments, and the nature of salvation.  I hope and pray it is all to His glory, though I know how weak and prone I am to intellectualism and learning for "learning's" sake.  In the meantime, I believe my leanings theologically and doctrinally have been honing in on the historical and Scripturally accurate teachings upheld by the Church for almost 2,000 years.

One topic which I haven't dealt with much over the past few years has been spiritual gifts.  This has always seemed like an issue better left alone; it divides the Church (tragically), and often evokes emotional and personal reaction.  Fortunately, I don't think this topic inspires responses near the intensity of infant baptism, which I heartily and unwittingly dove head-first into last year when my daughter was born.  As a result, I believe I've developed the courage to openly confront what I've learned in my distant past (I am, after all, turning 30) and what's been recently brought to my attention regarding Scripture, God, mankind, and Salvation.

As a result, I hope to put together a sort of "series" of articles which discuss this topic.  It's less emotional than infant baptism or Communion (both of which I would also like to write about in the future), and has a lot of practical application for my life specifically.

The topic was recently brought to my wife's attention as my brother-in-law has been exposed (for the first time in his life) to the more "charismatic" movements within the Church.  He's been a bit disturbed by some of what he's seen, though I believe he's been loving and gracious in his interactions -- something I greatly admire in him.  (I would likely be less loving, since I'm so bloody opinionated.)  He asked Jenn and I to talk with him about the gifts of tongues and prophecy, and we both realized we hadn't thought much about spiritual gifts as a whole.  What does Scripture say about these topics?  What can we learn from the apostles and their writings/examples?  How do we address these topics with our friends in a loving and gracious manner, while remaining open to the fact that our presuppositions and education may be wrong or right?

In other words, it's been a bit of a journey, and I'd like to continue it.

As a result, I would like to try and finish these articles over the next few months.  I don't have a specific order or manner in which I would like to address spiritual gifts, but I would like to cover these topics:

• The Primary Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
• Speaking in Tongues
• Prophecy
• Miraculous Healing
• Spiritual Gifts and their Relationship to Special Revelation

As I mentioned, I don't plan on these being in a specific order; frankly, diving into healing, prophecy, or tongues would probably be the most interesting.  But I might try and lay some groundwork first, and then dig more deeply into specifics.

In any case, I will be relying heavily on the logic and wisdom of other people; this topic is not new, nor is there anything more I could add to any side of the debate.  Rather, I would like to layout what I see to be the strongest arguments for/against the view of Spiritual Gifts I believe to be the most Scripturally sound.

Soli Deo gloria!