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This is a watershed book for supporters of continuationism. Jack Deere, a
highly educated intellectual, and ardent cessassionist, breaks from that
position and embraces continuationism. His change of perspective forces him
to resign his professorship at Dallas Theological Seminary.
This book is his popular level explanation as to why he switched. He refutes all
of the classic cessassionist arguments, which he formerly held to. The book is
impressive. His argumentation is by and large convincing. His exegesis
appears to be sound. Good people differ on some of these passages, but he
does a good job of shifting the burden of scriptural proof onto the cessationist
position.
I do think he blurs the lines a bit with miracles and miracle workers. There is a
highly educated intellectual, and ardent cessassionist, breaks from that
position and embraces continuationism. His change of perspective forces him
to resign his professorship at Dallas Theological Seminary.
This book is his popular level explanation as to why he switched. He refutes all
of the classic cessassionist arguments, which he formerly held to. The book is
impressive. His argumentation is by and large convincing. His exegesis
appears to be sound. Good people differ on some of these passages, but he
does a good job of shifting the burden of scriptural proof onto the cessationist
position.
I do think he blurs the lines a bit with miracles and miracle workers. There is a
big difference between miracles happening today and miracle workers being for today. When Deere
finds a miracle that has happened, he automatically uses it as proof that miracle workers are for today.
Just because a miracle happens does not necessarily mean that miracle workers are normative for
today.
I find it fascinating that both cessationists and continuationists base much of their argumentation on
experience. The continuationist has experienced miracle workers, so they must be for today. The
cessasionist on the other hand, has not experienced miracle workers so they must not be for today.
Granted both sides pile up Scriptural, historical, and philosophical argumentation to better prop up their
positions. But like it or not, subjective experience weighs heavy on both sides.
After reading this book, I certainly am more open to the concept of miraculous gifts (workers) being for
today. I still have not experienced a miracle or met a miracle worker, and don’t anticipate that I ever will.
Nor do I “feel” like I need to. I am also very aware of the excesses, corruption, and fraudulent behavior
that pervade so much of the signs and wonders movement. I guess this makes me “open but very
cautious.”
People like Jack Deere are not Satan’s cohorts trying to subvert Christianity. They are genuine Christian
brothers and sisters who happen to see a little more than I see on any given day. As long as these
people are solidly Scriptural in their faith and practice, they must be treated as the brothers and sisters
they are.
finds a miracle that has happened, he automatically uses it as proof that miracle workers are for today.
Just because a miracle happens does not necessarily mean that miracle workers are normative for
today.
I find it fascinating that both cessationists and continuationists base much of their argumentation on
experience. The continuationist has experienced miracle workers, so they must be for today. The
cessasionist on the other hand, has not experienced miracle workers so they must not be for today.
Granted both sides pile up Scriptural, historical, and philosophical argumentation to better prop up their
positions. But like it or not, subjective experience weighs heavy on both sides.
After reading this book, I certainly am more open to the concept of miraculous gifts (workers) being for
today. I still have not experienced a miracle or met a miracle worker, and don’t anticipate that I ever will.
Nor do I “feel” like I need to. I am also very aware of the excesses, corruption, and fraudulent behavior
that pervade so much of the signs and wonders movement. I guess this makes me “open but very
cautious.”
People like Jack Deere are not Satan’s cohorts trying to subvert Christianity. They are genuine Christian
brothers and sisters who happen to see a little more than I see on any given day. As long as these
people are solidly Scriptural in their faith and practice, they must be treated as the brothers and sisters
they are.
| Dec. 22, 2008 |
by Jack Deere
