Heresy Hunters vs the Holy Spirit

HERESY HUNTERS vs THE HOLY SPIRIT     (# 29)

A most interesting roundtable debate between two cessationalists and two continuationists took place a while ago. For those who don’t know, a continuationalist is one who believes that the gifts and supernatural happenings recorded in the New Testament are continuing to this day. (Google roundtable debate, Michael Brown.) A few observations regarding this debate….

*** The two cessationists – Justin and Jim – and the two continuationalists – Sam and Michael – represent thousands of pastors within evangelicalism. An inconvenient reality: Both parties can be doctrinally mistaken, but both can’t be doctrinally correct. Amen? At least one party is teaching heresy. We must therefore conclude that thousands of pastors are teaching heresy! AND we must conclude that millions of evangelicals have been coerced into subsidizing pastors – via a substantial salary – to teach heresy!

*** At least one of the two parties are not lead by the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us, “He will guide you into all truth.” Since the Holy Spirit never leads into untruth, at least one of these two parties AND the thousands of pastors they represent AND the millions that have given themselves over to their false teachings cannot be guided by the Holy Spirit. Can you see that?

*** All four brothers are practiced preachers, authors and highly credentialed. Since at least two are in serious error, and since both parties have written volumes of material contrary to each other, shouldn’t that erase any trust you may have in preachers, writers and credentials?

*** Each of the four can really impress their various audiences because there is nobody challenging them. (We are all good at what we do for a living.) But their credibility is greatly reduced in a debate. On sunday mornings (etcetera) there is no debate. You are hearing one man’s opinion, which may be excellent or may be awful. So… it is your place to verify, to challenge. That’s what a disciple of Jesus does. Jesus calls us to be childlike, not childish.