The New and Absurd Doctrine of "Functional Cessationism" - By Anthony Wade

 Found here. Our comments in bold.
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The petulant Rev. Wade is back, and he's just as unedifying as ever. Typically garrulous, here he expends nearly 2000 words (minus quoted material) to explain exactly zero. Further, other than the opening passage, he never quotes the Bible. Not once.

His typical techniques are 

• contradiction without explanation
• rephrasing and redefining what his opponent wrote
• making assertions as if they were self-evidently true
• stream-of-consciousness prose wandering around looking for a point

There is no edification in this "devotional." Rev. Wade does what he always does: Isolate and attack a target for barely understandable reasons and invented offenses. A favorite one is Joseph Mattera, who is his target today. However, we do not intend to defend Mattera, we are only interested in Rev. Wade's presentation.

What's absurd in not "functional cessationism," but rather Rev. Wade's screed.

We shall see how long we are able to endure under this barrage of half-formed thoughts, irrelevant tangents, and imperious superiority.

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Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. - 1Corinthians 14:1-5 (ESV)

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The NAR is a wide and broad classification of teachings, which is why people are often confused when hearing about it. There are core sets of beliefs based on the founding by C. Peter Wagner and how it has morphed as it has metastasized. Dominionism is at its core but so is the belief that God has "put the band back together" with latter day apostles. Hyper-charismania is also a core belief. We often write about false teachers who are hardcore dominionists but may not focus so much on Charismania. Today however we have the opposite in Joseph Mattera, who while being a dominionist, often overly-focuses on Charismania in his writing. This is what we are dealing with in the above linked article from Mattera. As Mattera is a Charismaniac, he obviously believes in the continuation of the gifts of the spirit and those opposed are called cessationists. They are called such because they believe the gifts of the spirit ceased at the end of the apostolic age, when John passed away around 100 AD. I have always held a middle ground. I think the bible clearly refutes the notion of cessationism but at the same time I recognize the unbiblical nature of the way gifts are expressed in Charismaniacal churches today. Mattera takes full aim at me and this belief today, creating a brand new doctrine called functional cessationism. (No, Mattera coined a term, he did not create a new doctrine. We notice that Rev. Wade does this as well, i.e., "charismaniac.")

This new doctrine essentially says that if you do not believe in the gifts as Mattera does, then you may as well be called a cessationist. (This is an example of redefining the words of one's opponent. Mattera makes no such claim.)

How petty and absurd. (Rev. Wade, having attempted to change the terms of the debate, immediately dismisses Mattera with expletives and invective.)

Let us reason once more.

"In this article, cessationism refers to the doctrine, practice or belief that the ascension ministry gifts and the manifestations of the Holy Spirit ceased with the early church and do not function in the present church age (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12: 4-11). The charismatic and Pentecostal world believes in all the gifts of the spirit and in hearing God's voice. Various terms are used to describe these manifestations: "revelation" and "illumination." On the other hand, there are evangelical rationalists, who are, in function and theology, "cessationists." Whether Pentecostal or a non-charismatic evangelical, you may be a functional cessationist if you don't practice or experience divine spiritual phenomena. The term "evangelical rationalist" describes a person who believes in all the cardinal truths of the Scriptures but denies the practice of certain manifestations of Holy Spirit phenomena in the contemporary church (1 Cor. 12:4-11)." - Joseph Mattera

Here is the thing - while the Charismatic/Pentecostal world believes in the gifts of the spirit many have diverse beliefs about the specifics. (This is approximately what Mattera wrote.)

It is interesting to note here that Mattera casually throws in "hearing God's voice" into a discussion where it does not belong. As a biblical purist, one has to admit that God has spoken audibly in the past and could very well do so today if He wished. (We certainly don't wish to be grammar police, but Rev. Wade is a self-described former English teacher. As such, we would expect him to be able to write coherent, grammatically correct sentences.

Ordinarily one begins a sentence with "as a..." in reference to one's self. For example, "as a former police officer..." This phrase is used to contextualize what an author intends to later assert by first appealing to personal experience or expertise. So a statement like "as a former police officer, I believe that too many criminals are released on technicalities" properly expresses a thought because both phrases connect to the author.

But Rev. Wade writes, "as a biblical purist, one has to admit..." So he doesn't apply the phrase "biblical purist" to himself, he applies it to nameless people ["one"]. Therefore, there are two possibilities. The first is that he intended to write, "biblical purists have to admit...," or "as a biblical purist, I must admit..."

Again, we don't want to get lost in the weeds on this. However, Rev. Wade's loose use of language is a continual complaint of ours. He's not a thoughtful rhetorician, he's a slash-and-burn polemicist.)

The problem is that is not (sic) the doctrine Mattera is advocating for here. Charismatics like Bill Johnson teach an emptying of the mind and "listening" to the first thing that pops into our head and hearts. (Rev. Wade gratuitously drags Bill Johnson into the argument to plant in the reader's mind that the two men are somehow related in their error. 

Do Mattera and Johnson have the same perspective on the subject? Do they both advocate "emptying of the mind?" Does this assertion accurately represent Johnson's perspective? What about Mattera's?)

The problem in assigning that thought to God is that our hearts are wickedly deceitful above all else created! (Let's quote the verse, since Rev. Wade botches it:

Je. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

However, this is not the status of the regenerate Christian:

Ez. 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 

2Co. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Rev. Wade's reason is not valid.)

That does not make me a functional cessationist it just means I can correctly interpret my bible. (This is what we mean by contradicting without explanation. Rev. Wade claims to correctly interpret his bible, but does not quote it or explain it in any way.)

The term evangelical rationalist was simply made up by Joseph Mattera's wickedly deceitful heart. (This is false. Various forms of rationalism have been incorporated into theology for centuries.)

It is not a matter of denying the Holy Spirit (Mattera did not write this. We can read for ourselves what he wrote: ...denies the practice of certain manifestations of Holy Spirit phenomena... Denying certain practices is not the same as denying the Holy Spirit.)

but rather refusing to allow the expression of manifestations that run contrary to the bible. (This is not a matter under discussion. Mattera is discussing biblical manifestions, not unbiblical ones.)

For example, I assume Mattera embraces the theology of being slain in the spirit despite not one shred of biblical support. (Sigh. What Rev. Wade assumes is irrelevant.)

"These believers "demystify" the Scriptures and have an enlightenment framework in which all biblical truth is verified through the grid of their rational minds and understanding. Of course, as true Christians, they are inconsistent in their anti-supernatural view. This is because salvation itself, the point of translation for every believer, hinges on faith and the profession of the Lordship of Christ and His historical and supernatural resurrection. This results in a supernatural conversion experience (Rom. 10:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:17). The following are seven types of functional Cessationists:

1. Cessationism Regarding Ephesians 4:11 Ministry Gifts - Whether you or your denomination classify as charismatic, if there exists no belief in or embrace of the practical function of the ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11, then you or they are cessationists concerning these." - Joseph Mattera

Wow. Look at what Mattera is saying. Essentially, he is saying that as believers, we need to check at the door rational thought and understanding. (Another example of redefining the words of one's opponent. Mattera wrote no such thing. 

This spurious non-sequitur is beneath considered discussion. We really hate these manipulative techniques.)

That's insane and nowhere does God ask this from us. (Doubling down, Rev. Wade now attributes to insanity to something Mattera did not write.)

We are to be wise as serpents not stupid as idiots. The rational mind can still grasp the supernatural. (Undocumented claim. This is an example of Rev. Wade making claims as if they were self-evidently true.)

When the doctors call a healing a miracle it is not irrational to conclude divine intervention. (Undocumented claim. Rev. Wade simply contradicts and moves on.)

As for the first offering here for functional cessationism, it seems obvious he is just upset that many people do not count him as an apostle, which is a title Mattera craves. (Lacking an actual biblical argument, Rev. Wade now turns to ad hominem.)

Heck, he runs the United States Coalition of Apostolic Leaders! The only position with some disagreement from Ephesians 4:11 is that of apostle. (Disagreement from whom? What does this mean? These unnamed people have some sort of disagreement, but it's only with apostles? They are ok with prophets? 

Once again Rev. Wade makes an undocumented claim as if it were unassailable truth.)

Forgive us Joseph but we do not bow down to any man claiming to be an apostle. Not you. Not C. Peter Wagner. Not anyone. (Sigh. Nothing Mattera writes demands obeisance. Rev. Wade is starting to turn nasty.)

Those I have met with a true apostolic calling on their life would never be so arrogant as to call themselves an apostle. That doesn't make me a cessationist; just someone who reads their bible. (Once again Rev. Wade contradicts without explanation. He claims to correctly interpret his Bible, but does not quote it or explain it in any way.)

"2. Cessationism Regarding Hearing the Voice of God - If you do not believe that God can subjectively communicate to you outside of the written Word of God or that He has ceased doing so since the completion of the canon of Scripture, you are a cessationist. Whether you describe divine communication as an "illumination," (God impressing something upon your heart), or a "revelation," (God speaking to you), it is all the same experience. Evangelical rationalists take Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 13:10 to mean the completion of the canon of Scripture. (The 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament). Thus, when somebody claims "God spoke to them," rationalists believe it is adding to the Word of God or the final canon of Scripture. (They use Revelation 22:18-19 to support their argument.) They believe this, even though a proper exegesis of 1 Corinthians 13:10 shows that Paul was not talking about the final canon of Scripture but rather was referring to the saints seeing Jesus "face to face" in heaven. (1 Cor. 13:12; 1 John 3:2). Furthermore, in the context of this verse, Paul said he would "know fully even as he was fully known." Since he died before the book of Revelation was written, he could not have been speaking about canon completion but rather he was referring to going to heaven. In addition, the context of 1 Corinthians 13:10 also shows that "knowledge" will pass away, not just tongues and prophecies. Do any of these evangelical rationalists genuinely believe that our present-day need for "knowledge" no longer exists?" - Joseph Matter

Here is an excellent example of what I have been speaking about. Mattera lays out two sides and pretends there can be no middle ground. (??? The whole purpose of Mattera's article is to describe a third category, which he deems "functional cessationism." The fact that he doesn't provide a category for Rev. Wade's whims is not his problem.)

I disagree. I believe we can hear from God today, even audibly as rare as that may be. (Which seems to be Mattera's position, doesn't it?)

I believe the Holy Spirit can guide us into all truth to hear from God through His word. I can believe this and also recognize that Mattera sloppily lumps verbal revelation in with what we think we hear in our hearts. The knowledge Mattera seeks is in the bible. (Which kind of negates Rev. Wade's previous assent to hearing from God today, even verbally, doesn't it?)

The prophecies we might hear, (Oh. He takes it back. So we can hear prophecies from God.)

are to come from the canon of scripture or at least be related to them. (We doubt Mattera would disagree. 

Prophecies are to be tested:

1Co. 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Unbiblical prophesies are, well, unbiblical. Is there someone out there who wants unbiblical prophecies to be accepted?) 

Adding to the word is when we teach something NOT found in the bible (What does Rev. Wade mean? Every Sunday pastors stand in their pulpits and interpret and explain what they understand about the Bible. They pontificate at length regarding their insights. But those words are not found in the Bible. Unless a pastor simply quotes Scripture for his entire sermon, he would be in violation of Rev. Wade's criteria.)

and then have the temerity to blame it on the Spirit. In order for Mattera's beliefs to be true, God would have had to forget to tell us something when He finalized His word (Remember Rev. Wade's words? I believe we can hear from God today, even audibly as rare as that may be... So how is that different from Mattera's beliefs?

Rev. Wade simultaneously assents to prophecy and uses cessationist arguments [...forget to tell us something...]. We are again seeing the muddled thinking.)

but now, He is using people like Joseph Mattera, James Goll, or Jennifer LeClaire to inform us. (Some more gratuitous mentions of unrelated people.)

But not His whole church mind you, just the American church. (Mattera never discusses the American church. He never even used the word "American" in any of the quotes provided by Rev. Wade.)

It just doesn't pass the smell test. So perhaps that word you received by it being "impressed upon your heart" was not actually God. So yes Joseph, we desperately need knowledge, and many perish still for lack of it, but that knowledge is found in the bible, not in your deceitful heart. (Then what is Rev. Wade arguing about? Mattera and he both assent to contemporary prophecy. Why does Rev. Wade drag the "deceitful heart" thing back into it as if we have only two choices?)

Once again, that doesn't make me a cessationist but rather a person who believes their bible. (Yes, yes. You believe the Bible. This is the third time you have made this claim. But it's a Bible you have yet to quote, explain, or exegete. What are the Bible verses that explain your beliefs, Rev. Wade? Are you going to tell us anything of profit to our faith?)

"3. Cessationism Regarding the Gift of Prophecy - Doctrinally, Pentecostals and charismatics claim they believe in the gift of prophecy. (First Corinthians 14:31 says that "all may prophesy" so that the church may be edified. You can also see 1 Corinthians 14:4). However, if members in such Pentecostal and charismatic churches never practice this gift in their gatherings, it is reasonable to classify them as functionally cessationist toward prophecy." - Joseph Mattera

This is so wicked. What Mattera is teaching is that unless you allow the everything goes prophecies like Bethel, then you don't believe in the gifts of the spirit. (Yet again Rev. Wade imposes his own meaning onto the plain statements of Mattera. No, Rev. Wade, Mattera did not tell us that anything goes. He didn't even discuss such things. In actual fact, he hasn't even touched on proper church order. So that means you're making things up. 

What does the Bible say about false witness, Rev. Wade?)

Nonsense. Paul put severe limitations on the usage of the gifts during service. (What are those limitations? Where in the Bible are they found? What is the proper way to use the gifts in a church service? Will you explain anything, Rev. Wade?)

Not to mention that Mattera's version of prophecy is not what the bible supports. (What is Mattera's version of prophecy, and how is it different than yours, Rev. Wade? What exactly are the issues? Will you explain anything, Rev. Wade?)

God did not forget something thousands of years ago that He is now using Betty from row three to inform us about. (Rev. Wade repeats this vapid point, and still doesn't explain anything.)

Even if you believed such nonsense, how does the rest of the church hear it? Look, if someone prophesy's repent for the kingdom of God is at hand or for God so loved the world that is perfectly acceptable because it is in the bible. What I do not need to hear however is Bob from the hardware store telling me God is saying that I should chase my inheritance or something equally unbiblical designed to scratch my itching ears. (Grudgingly, Rev. Wade finally gives some vague details. Apparently it's a matter of the content of the prophecy. Some prophecy is good and other prophecy is bad. Well. That's certainly insightful.

But even with all this, Rev. Wade is still wanting to blast Mattera for things he did not write or discuss.)

"4. Cessationism Regarding the Practice of Glossolalia - Many leaders in the Pentecostal movement say that some of their young pastors and members in their contemporary churches do not practice "speaking in tongues" for personal edification (1 Cor. 14:2-4). Those who don't pursue, receive and practice this spiritual gift, aside from the Pentecostal classification, are functionally cessationists (1 Cor. 14:18, 1 Cor. 39-40)." - Joseph Mattera

Here is the poster child disagreement we are speaking about today - tongues. Specifically, we are speaking about the gibberish speech practiced in most charismatic churches today. (Again and again Rev. Wade wants to redefine what Mattera wrote.)

Ironic that he cites the key verses for today and fails to realize that Paul is speaking AGAINST tongues in favor of prophecy. (This is Rev. Wade's first attempt to address the content of a Bible verse, and sadly, it is incorrect. Paul does not speak against tongues:

1Co. 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.

1Co. 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.)

The larger point here is what manifestation of tongues are we talking about. The biblical manifestation was known earthly languages not this fake supernatural occurrence of baby-speak. (This is another standard cessationist argument. Strange coming from a man who claims to believe in the present-day gifts. We discuss tongues in detail here, and suffice to say, we think that Rev. Wade is mistaken about tongues.)

So, what Mattera is arguing is that unless you speak HIS version of tongues then you are a cessationist. (No, he's not. Again, we can read for ourselves, and Mattera never even implies such a thing.

And we note the irony of Rev. Wade advocating for his version of tongues [...known earthly languages...] but torches Mattera for general statements about his belief in tongues.)

How arrogant. The word "Glossolalia" originated in the late 19th century. (No, it's the Greek word found in the Bible, and in 1 Corinthians 14 it means the gift of men who, rapt in an ecstasy and no longer quite masters of their own reason and consciousness, pour forth their glowing spiritual emotions in strange utterances...)

The modern version of tongues has only been around for 140 years or so out of over 2000 since Christ walked the earth. (Incorrect.)

So according to Mattera, everyone who came before the 1880's had it all wrong. (Appeal to historical practices, not the Bible.)

Right, and that makes me a cessationist. (We are very near the end of this, and Rev. Wade still doesn't get what Mattera is writing about. Let's explain it to him. 

Mattera essentially makes three categories: Those who believe in the gifts of the Spirit and practice them, those who believe in the gifts of the Spirit but do not practice them, and those who do not believe in the gifts of the Spirit and do not practice them. 

This is simple. But Rev. Wade wants to talk about other things. So he twists and mangles Mattera's writing in order to make it say what he wants it to say.)

"5. Cessationism Regarding Divine Healing - The Gospels and New Testament writings encourage believers to pray for the sick by faith for supernatural healing (Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:1-9; John 14:12; James 5:13-15; Acts). Despite this New Testament chronicled practice, many Pentecostals and charismatics rarely pray effectively for the sick. Consequently, they are functional cessationists when it comes to divine healing." - Joseph Mattera

Note the inference here. Most do not pray effectively for the sick. What Mattera is speaking about here is the disagreement regarding divine healing, which is the belief that God always heals and thus if we are not healed it is due to our faith. (Sigh. Yet again Rev. Wade modifies Mattera's statements. We are growing weary, and wonder if we can persevere to the end of this screed.)

This is a grotesque usurpation of God's power that absolutely destroys people's faith. If this bogus theology was true, why do people who believe in it continue to die like the rest of us? Beni Johnson believed in divine healing, but she passed recently. Her husband Bill believes in it but wears prescriptive eyeglasses! If you stop trying to be God, you will realize that He can always heal but in His sovereignty He can always choose not to. Are we sensing a pattern here? Joseph Mattera believes in Charismania, not biblical accuracy. (If only Mattera would make a specific statement that's biblically inaccurate, then maybe Rev. Wade could bless us with an actual explanation of what is incorrect. But Mattera has yet to make a doctrinal statement or even explain specifics about his beliefs. 

Apparently Rev. Wade is privy to secret information about Mattera's beliefs.)

As such his beliefs are often at odds with the bible and he is now saying his way or the highway. (Sigh. That's all we can say at this point. Just *sigh*)

No Joseph, you do not get to say who is and who is not correct just because you fancy yourself an apostle. (...as Rev. Wade attacks Mattera for being incorrect.

Ok, we're done here. We can only take so much of Rev. Wade's smug condescension and convoluted pronouncements masquerading as biblical exposition.)

"6. Cessationism Regarding the Expelling of Demons - Jesus made it clear that believers have authority over demons in His name. (Luke 10:17-20; James 4:7). Despite this, many charismatic Pentecostal believers are spooked out when casting demons out of people. This practice, sometimes called "deliverance," should not be the special unique calling of any one person or church, but should be part of the spiritual arsenal of all believers as the need arises. Setting the captives free is one of the essentials of the Gospel (Luke 4:18). In this area, those who never engage in the expelling of demons are functional cessationists." - Joseph Mattera

James 4:7 has nothing to do with casting out demons. It simply says resist the devil and he will flee from you. Based on the context this is about the lives we lead and how to make sure it is more devoted to God than influenced by the enemy. Luke 10 sees the 72 return rejoicing over the power Jesus gave THEM, not you, over demons. Jesus even rebukes them for overly focusing on that! These powers were specifically given to the 72 but Mattera loves to usurp. Setting the captives free has to do with the power of the gospel over sin, not the Charismaniacal scene of literally trying to cast out demons from people. By the way, I am not suggesting that demonic powers do not exist and cannot be expelled by someone who knows what they are doing and more importantly knows Jesus. This isn't a game and yet it seems many Charismaniacs have seen too many movies. Most end up like the Seven Sons of Sceva, who thought it was cool to cast demons out until one time the demons answered and beat them so badly they ended up naked! So it is that we come to realize that the Joseph Mattera's of the world likewise have no clothes when discussing things they simply do not understand.

'7. Cessationism Regarding Experiential Hermeneutics - Being trained in the historical/grammatical method of biblical interpretation enables me to properly discover the author's original intent when they were inspired to write the sacred, canonical text. However, if the Holy Spirit is not allowed to give further insight into the practical application and understanding of the scriptures, this would be a form of hermeneutical cessationism. After all, the Holy Spirit has come to guide us into all truth and is our primary Teacher (John 14:26, 1 John 2:27). For more recommended reading on this subject, refer to Dr. Craig Keener's book, "Spirit Hermeneutics."' - Joseph Mattera

Another of the foundational planks in the platform of the NAR is experiential Christianity. This heresy is where our personal experiences rise to the level of or even trump scripture. When I discovered that slain in the spirit was not biblical, I had a dilemma because I had experienced this once. When faced with what I experienced and what God said, I had to side with what God said and chalk my experience up to an emotional move, not a spiritual one. The NAR does the opposite. They side with their experience and those of us who insist on biblical accuracy are deemed to have a religious spirit! We must realize that while the spirit will lead us into all truth contained within the bible it does not all happen on our schedule. Because the NAR is obsessed with this world and dominionism idolizes this country, it is no wonder they demand a practical application for every scripture they read. The bible however, is not about them. It is about Jesus, so not every application is practical to this world. Mercifully, Mattera concludes:

"In conclusion, my prayerful aim is to encourage all believers, irrespective of their classification, to pursue and allow the fullness of the Holy Spirit to flow through their lives, and in their local church so that all may become more effective witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:8). Examine the Scriptures and be bold as you respond to apostolic instruction (1 Cor. 14:1). Pursue, love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy." - Joseph Mattera

Mattera talks a good game and I do not doubt his sincerity. When your theology starts with God naming you a new apostle however, I tend to start off doubting you. When you then add to scripture to pretend there is a new apostolic reformation, I know you are false in what you are going to present. This article was a tour de force of the NAR false Charismaniacal teachings regarding the spirit. If you have ever attended an out of control church service then you know what I am speaking about. God is a God of order. Hearing His word is far more important than hearing Bill the baker screaming to not look to the left or right. All the supernatural you would ever want or need is found right there in scripture. All the power of God is right there. Anything straying from it is heresy. Functional heresy if that makes it easier to understand.