Tag Archives: cessationism

The Gift of Prophecy (Wayne Grudem)

Posted on October 6, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Like all of Wayne Grudem’s books, this one is carefully argued and written with a warm, easy style. The thesis itself is only 228 pages.  The rest of the book is appendices containing responses, specific exegesis, and reprinted articles. Grudem … Continue reading →

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Rebutting the “miracles come in clusters” argument

Posted on October 3, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Some cessationists argue that miracles come in clusters in redemptive history, signalling important events.  And the unspoken conclusion is that they don’t happen today. Even if this were true, the conclusion wouldn’t follow.  But is it true?  The following is … Continue reading →

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Some thoughts on charismata

Posted on January 23, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

From the Facebook Group Reformed Charismatics.  On rejecting cessationism: ***the bible never calls the gifts “sign gifts”. Rather, it calls them “charismata”, or quite literally “grace gifts”. This alone shatters the cessationist position that the gifts were only meant to … Continue reading →

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Steve Hays on Cessationism

Posted on November 6, 2017 by J. B. Aitken

I haven’t always agreed with Steve Hays on various topics, but I was impressed by this.  Honestly, I don’t know if he is continuationist or cessationist.  But this is a great example of how to think clearly through an issue.

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False Assumptions in Cessationism, part 1

Posted on March 20, 2017 by J. B. Aitken

I haven’t done a real blog post in a while, mainly book reviews.  And this post is from a book, but to include it in a formal review will make it unwieldy.  Note, in saying these are false assumptions in … Continue reading →

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Can cessationist pray Eph. 1:17?

Posted on September 19, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Paul writes, “That God would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” What does “revelation” mean?  The bible lists several types: Natural revelation (creation, logic, science, etc). Special revelation (God’s speaking, theophanic appearances, etc). … Continue reading →

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Strange Fire (Review)

Posted on September 4, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Macarthur, John. Strange Fire. Not surprisingly, there wasn’t a chapter on basic logic in this book. For the review Chapter 1 is simply a string of recycled sermon notes on how silly and evil various brands of charismania are. Okay, but … Continue reading →

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Poythress on Spiritual Gifts

Posted on January 10, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

After taking Orthodox Bridge to task, I thought perhaps it is good to let one’s charismatic beliefs be critiqued from someone who is sympathetic and doesn’t have an axe to grind. I have in mind Vern Poythress’s article from JETS. Poythress … Continue reading →

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Review of Strange Fire

Posted on November 28, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

Not surprisingly, there wasn’t a chapter on basic logic in this book. For the review Chapter 1 is simply a string of recycled sermon notes on how silly and evil various brands of charismania are. Okay, but anyone can play … Continue reading →

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Does experience count as knowledge?

Posted on October 7, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

When traditional evangelicals respond to the charismatic movement, they counter that “experience” can never contradict Scripture.  That’s true, but I think both sides miss something. (P1) Evangelicals define “experience” as “feeling.” (P2) If you look at Charismatics’ facial expressions during … Continue reading →

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