Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?: 4 Views

by Wayne Grudem

Book Overview

Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? takes you to the heart of one of the most dividing questions in the Church today: how are the Holy Spirit's miracles at work among God's people now?

Is he still actively giving the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and healing that fill the book of Acts? Is he driving out demons when Christians command them to flee? Or are these events confined to the time of the early church and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310201551
• ISBN13: 9780310201557
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

4 views represented with Christian respect!

Regardless if you are approaching the topic for the first time, or if you are convinced of your position, this book will help you better understand all sides of the argument. Like the other four view books, it allows you to see the opposing side defended and evaluated. This is a very thought provoking and theologically loaded book that tackles many common questions that arise regarding the miraculous. The four positions represented are... 1. A Cessationist View, By: Richard Gaffin, Jr 2. An Open but Cautious View, By: Robert L. Saucy 3. A Third Wave View, By: C. Samuel Storms 4. A Pentecostal / Charismatic View, By: Douglas A. Oss I have read many books on different (orthodox) theological perspectives that are no more then a rock-throwing contest. This is not the case with this book, each of the authors demonstrated true humility, character and Christian respect within their writings. The topic of the gifts (orthodox views) is categorized as a secondary or in house debate. The authors certainly reflect this understand in the text. An example of this is seen in Storms review of cessationist position, he states, "My disagreements with his argument for cessationism, though vigorous, in no way dismiss my profound respect for him both as a scholar of the highest order and, more importantly, as a brother in Christ." This is just one example of many. All and all, this scholarly book addresses the gifts in a Christ like manor and will help the reader understand the various positions on the topic. I highly recommend it.

Scholarly but accessible

This book, required for a Systematic Theology class I'm taking, surprised me with its depth and breadth; but above all I was delighted to read four positions stated eloquently, earnestly, firmly, and courteously. Each author went out of his way to emphasize the common ground held by all four men, and each scrupulously avoided personal attacks or the use of inflammatory language, something that cannot be said for one of the reviewers of this book! Most importantly, I believe, this book has greatly assisted in the formation of my own understanding of Scripture regarding this subject, which is often characterized by poor exegesis, over- or under-reliance on intellect, and childish attacks. In the end, I found that Storms' position dealt comprehensively and convincingly with the testimony of Scripture, but all of the views were addressed fairly and competently.

Review of the entire Counterpoint Series

I'm going to apply this commentary for the entire Counterpoint Series published by Zondervan Publishing Company. My compliments to that company for creating this series. I initially purchased "Four Views on the Book of Revelation" but soon realized it was only one in a series. I got so much out of that volume, that I decided to purchase the entire set to study and keep for reference. My spiritual growth has been remarkable as a result. Seminary students and professionals would probably enjoy this series, which seems geared for them. But this series is also excellent for those college-educated laypeople who feel inclined to enhance their understanding of Christian theology. That is, with one caveat: Buy a decent theological dictionary to refer to at first. It probably won't get used much after about the third book you choose to read, but initially you will be need it to be confident of some of the terms used among advanced theologians. Then, the Counterpoint series will give you a full understanding of many different concepts and concerns of the Christian faith which have been applicable from early on until the present. I've learned a lot, and the only way I think I could do better is if I were enrolled in Seminary. A list of all the titles I am aware of from this series is: Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Five Views on Law and Gospel Five Views on Sanctification Four Views on Hell Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World Four Views on the Book of Revelation Three Views on Creation and Evolution Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond Three Views on the Rapture Two Views on Women in Ministry

Represents a major breakthrough on study of cessationism

Had Evangelical scholarship kept up to date, this work could have been written 40 years ago, saving a lot of grief and controversy over a highly volatile issue. Cessationism, the doctrine that spiritual gifts ceased with the apostles, is now the focus of a disciplined, scholarly debate between scholars representing four views, ranging from "Gifts Ceased" (R. Gaffin), "Less Frequent" (R. Saucy), "Continued--3rd Wave" (C. Storms) and "Continued--Pentecostal/charismatic" (D. Oss). 17 hours of face-to-face debate forced the positions to confront each others' arguments more squarely. No one changed his mind, but the dialog broke new ground, providing a rich array of insights for those with the tenacity to work through this sophisticated work. (See full review in forthcoming Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society by Jon Ruthven, author of "On the Cessation of the Charismata: The Protestant Polemic on Post-Biblical Miracles." Sheffield, 1993).