SPIRITUAL GIFTS: WHAT THEY ARE & WHY THEY MATTER, by Thomas R. Schreiner

Published on May 19, 2022 by Steve West

B&H, 2018 | 192 pages

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance

by Steve West

 

About the Author

Thomas Schreiner is the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a highly respected scholar and author.

 

Table of Contents

Introduction
1 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Charismatic Movement
2 Defining Spiritual Gifts
3 Five Truths about Spiritual Gifts
4 Five More Truths about Spiritual Gifts
5 Questions and Answers
6 What Is the Gift of Prophecy?
7 Is New Testament Prophecy Mixed with Error?
8 The Nature of the Gift of Tongues
9 Understanding the Significance of the Gift of Tongues
10 Unconvincing Arguments for Cessation of the Gifts
11 An Argument for Cessationism

 

Introduction

This book is about a theology of spiritual gifts, written from a cessationist perspective. The issues in these discussions are difficult, so it is acknowledged that cessationism might be wrong. Some of the best and brightest in evangelicalism are continuationists. Spiritual gifts aren’t as important doctrinally as the Trinity or deity of Christ, but they are very important for church practice and worship. Paul told the Corinthians that he didn’t want them unaware of spiritual gifts. This topic is often divisive, and that was a reason to hesitate in writing this book. Nevertheless, with love and mutual respect, we can diligently search the Scriptures together and strive to grow in our knowledge of truth.

 

Chapter 1: Strengths and Weaknesses of the Charismatic Movement

If it wasn’t for the charismatic movement, many today would not be discussing spiritual gifts. There are both strengths and weaknesses in the movement. One of the strengths is an emphasis on the necessity of the Spirit for godly living. They also recognize that doctrine without emotional expression isn’t healthy. There is a focus on prayer, everyone in the body of Christ worshiping by using their gifts and reaching the lost. Charismatics tend to see the importance of small group and communal ministries. They believe strongly in the supernatural realm and spiritual warfare, as we all as in the miraculous.

Negatively, the charismatic movement seems to struggle with elitism and sectarianism (which were the same problems that plagued Corinth). Sometimes there is a marked anti-intellectualism, and even a lower view of Scripture because people are looking for personal, subjective illumination. There can be a focus on certain charismatic gifts that is unbalanced theologically and practically. The charismatic movement can put too great of a divide between the natural and supernatural, and they can become obsessed with the spiritual realm and demons. Emotionalism and conformity to the group can dominate, as people judge everything on the basis of experiential phenomena. . . .

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SPIRITUAL GIFTS: WHAT THEY ARE & WHY THEY MATTER, by Thomas R. Schreiner

B&H, 2018 | 192 pages

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