Why Charistmatics and Calvinists Need Each Other

The Gospel Coalition ^ | 2016 | Adam Mabry

[CondoleezzaProtege]

White-haired, suit-wearing Presbyterian lawyers don’t typically garner the fandom of teenagers, but Mr. Z did. Each week dozens of us would gather in his home. He would feed us and let us trash his house, watch movies, and play basketball. Each gathering would culminate in a Bible study... For a year I kept coming back. This unlikely mentor taught us Ephesians. Verse by verse, he explained this beautiful book to us. His love for the Bible was infectious, and I caught it.

As I matured, I would always go back to Ephesians...But something stuck out to me that I never got—something Paul prayed. He prayed that the Ephesians might know the “immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” (1:19). No matter how hard I studied, power was never the result. Not this kind of power. Not until I met Pastor J.

Pastor J was like Mr. Z in a lot of ways. Both older guys, both wise, both godly, both with a deep love for Scripture, and both with a sharp intellect. But Pastor J had a different set of gifts. Pastor J would pray for people, and the things he prayed would actually happen. Pastor J would speak to people and say things about them no one else knew. As I got to know Pastor J, I came to understand that these were spiritual gifts. Again, my life was changed, and I embraced the miracle-working God.

A graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary, I sat under the feet of world-class professors like John Frame. Yet my other foot is planted elsewhere—in the world of the modern, global, charismatic movement. I admire the missionary zeal of the global south and east along with the spiritual power and miracle-producing faith they embody...

[Migraine]

Thanks for posting this article. It comes at a good time for me.

Earlier today, long before reading this article, I was praying that God would pour out His Spirit on the Shepherds’ Conference at Grace Church in CA.

That is an amazing convergence for me personally.

[Ahithophel]

So, what did the Calvanist cannibal do after eating the charismatic Pentecostal? Threw up his arms, of course. A similar reaction is justified in response to the author’s premise, basically, that Calvanists lack adequate emotion and charismatics lack adequate doctrine.

[Zirondelle76]

Hopefully, the attendees at the Shepherd’s Conference are already filled with the Holy Spirit.

[georgiegirl]

charismatics lack adequate doctrine.

Not so, Charismatics are immersed in the word daily. Calvary Chapel is a perfect example of many Charismatic churches, teaching directly from Scripture and walking intimately with Jesus through the power of prayer.

[Jan_Sobieski]

I agree that in general Calvinists are more scholarly, and current charismatics are more emotional. As a scholarly charismatic, I have friends who are all different levels of Calvinism. I do believe most are saved, but it depends how deep they are into TULIP. If they are 1 or 2 point calvinists, they are typically close to scriptures.

However, If they fully believe that God only died only for some, and the ones he did die for he drags kicking and screaming, and they can never go apostate...these do not seem to understand being “born again”. They make comments to me like, “you can take the Mark of the Beast and still be saved!”, and “all prophesies were fulfilled in 70ad”

[Migraine]

So was Mabry, the author of the article. And so was I. Then we received an extra dose.

[caww]

The author Pastor Adam mabry.

[Zirondelle76]

Think so?

[Bethaneidh]

Well done.

[caww]

I hear the breath of the “Unity of Churches” movement breathing quite loud in this one.

[Bethaneidh]

There is a problem that some are followers of “Ayn Calvin”, seeking reasons to be legalistic and unsupportive of those with less emotional filters.

[Mr Rogers]

I’d trust the gut instinct of someone who reads the Bible daily and who doesn’t study “systematic theology” over most seminary professors.

Too much of systematic theology reminds me of this video on the Trinity:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQLfgaUoQCw

[Migraine]

I think the article was quite good. And if you respond with another snark, you will have had the last word.

[unlearner]

Thanks for posting this.

[Bethaneidh]

70 AD, preterist. Well documented as false.

[Bethaneidh]

Interesting generalization, possibly useful.... or...

[Bethaneidh]

Adequate is the useful word. I actually like the idea of modern prophecies, if they correspond with the written Word. After all, has knowledge ceased? I think not.

[georgiegirl]

You are so right. You know who else hates theology? Jesus! Thx for the link, I will have to check on my computer when I am able to get a better connection.

[vpintheak]

I myself am somewhere in between.