IS CESSATIONISM HERETICAL? - Lovesickscribe

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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The author doesn't quote a single Scripture. Not one. She will mention the Bible many times, but does not ever quote it. Astonishing.

In fact, she will many claims without any sort of documentation, biblical or otherwise. We must designate this article as Bad Bible Teaching.

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For almost two decades of my life, I was immersed in the Charismatic movement. If I had to describe the beliefs I once held, they would fall under the cornucopia of Word of Faith, hyper Charismatic, and New Apostolic Reformation. For fifteen years, I professed to my own private prayer language, and I coached other people to do the same in altar calls, using verses such as Jude 20 to support it. (Let's quote it: 

Jude 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

The author doesn't bother to explain why she used the verse to support tongues, or what the verse really means.)

There were dreams and visions I experienced through the years, along with copious journal entries claiming God had spoken to me in the first Person. I claimed to receive prophetic revelation and to cast out demons. I went through numerous fire tunnels, participated in praying for people in fire tunnels, fell to the floor more times than I can count, and I laid hands on people to declare healing. I even rebuked the weather, thinking I had the power to do such things.

Several years ago, my family and I left the movement after a series of providential events. It was one of the most difficult times in my life, but I thank God for what He did in bringing us out of it and for His mercy and grace. Some may say that the pendulum swung to the opposite side when I left, and to a certain degree, that is correct. (The author made a drastic change based on experiences.)

I went from being Biblically illiterate to understanding Scripture. (The author's self-confessed Bible illiteracy during her time as a charismatic is her own fault. 

Further, we have read ahead and discovered the author remains biblically illiterate.)

I desired the written Word over hearing the next alleged prophetic word. (False choice.)

I realized through Bible study and testing my experiences that much of what I had been taught or experienced was error or contradicted Scripture. (Please, explain. What are these errors? Which Scriptures were being contradicted?)

There was much that was rejected, and the things I could not explain, my pastor was patient to help me understand God’s saving grace in spite of those things. There has been freedom from spiritual bondage of the hamster wheel over the past several years, and through trials and difficulties, God faithfully helped me and corrected me in how to pray according to Scripture. (Please, explain. How does one pray according to the Scripture?)

One of the things that seemed difficult to resolve was the view of spiritual gifts. For a while, I was open but cautious. The more I considered that belief, the more it seemed like a compromise. So, I read books on the matter. For years, I had been told about the continuation or rather, the restoration of the gifts, including the offices of apostle and prophet. (The offices are not the same as spiritual gifts.)

There were generals of the faith propped up on supernatural pedestals for us to emulate or to receive their mantles of power. I became troubled when studying Scripture (Which Scriptures?)

and comparing it to what I had been taught. The gifts appeared to be different.

Tongues was a big one for me. The fact that false religions also claim to speak in tongues was troubling. (False religions have always done what they do. Since the Bible contains teaching on tongues, what other religions do is irrelevant.)

The verses I had been taught ad nauseum concerning a private prayer language (Which verses?)

were not agreeing with the Bible in its proper context. (What verses do we need to put in proper context, and what is that context?)

I began to understand what it meant to truly be Spirit filled, (Tell us, what does it mean to truly be Spirit filled? What verses? Are you going to tell us anything?)

and the conviction came to no longer speak in an ecstatic utterance. I read and heard how the private prayer language came to be. You likely know where I am going with this (Well, actually, since the author has explained absolutely nothing and has kept the Bible a complete mystery, we have no way of predicting where she might be going with this.)

and how the dominoes fell, but after several years of searching and wanting better understanding, (What verses do you better understand? Are you going to explain anything?)

there was peace in coming to terms with being a cessationist. (?? The author deems her decision to be a correct one based on a feeling.)

That may sound like a bad word to some, and I understand that perspective given my background. I also understand that much of the time, there is discouragement from looking into such things out of fear in quenching the Holy Spirit. (Now the author has descended into nonsense. Literally no charismatic is afraid of examining their doctrines for fear of quenching the Spirit. The author projects her own former biblical ignorance to other charismatics.

Our blog has extensively analyzed both charismatic doctrines and cessationist doctrines. We have also written a series dedicated to examining the faults of cessationist doctrine. We make no claims as to our own brilliance, but for the author to imply that there is no thoughtful examination of charismatic doctrines within the charismatic movement is puerile.)

With the current release of the movie Cessationist, there has been quite a bit of backlash and commentary on the topic. I recently heard a Charismatic minister state that cessationism is heretical, (Finally, the author arrives at her topic.)

while also stating that there are brothers and sisters in Christ who believe it and will be in heaven. I listened to what he had to say and wondered if he was having an Inigo Montoya moment, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” In fact, to state that someone holds to heretical beliefs puts them outside the Christian faith. (?? The author links to a 2 part video series. The linked video is 40 minutes, and the second installment is 47 minutes. But the single fault she can mention is the use of the word "heretical." That claim occurs in the first 30 seconds of the first video, which goes on to discuss several Scriptures cessationists use incorrectly.

But the only thing worth mentioning is the word "heretical." Clearly she doesn't understand that calling a doctrine heretical is not the same thing as calling a person a heretic. 

But more to the point, it seems the author did not watch the whole video, since her link brings us to a point in the video before any discussion of specific texts. Although in her podcast she claimed she did watch it, that point is probably where she stopped watching. 

Up to this point in her presentation, the author has done her best to present charismatics as biblically ignorant. But her own ignorance as a charismatic/cessationist has persisted. She changed horses but has not changed her approach.)

I heard several other people sound off on the film, stating that it was demonic and sinister. A self-professing prophet claimed to receive a word about the film and cessationism thirteen days after it was released. I will not keep you in suspense: it was not a prophetic word. How do I know? Because this individual believes in fallible prophecy, and he has had failed prophecies in the past. One failed prophecy is one too many for a prophet claiming to speak for God. (This is false. We discuss prophecy here.)

Taking some of these things into consideration, I found the argument for cessationism as heretical to be weak and an angry straw man looming around every quippy statement. (How, exactly? What specifically led you to this conclusion? Are you going to explain anything?)

Some people are downright angry about this film and gatherings to support this belief. (Maybe, but relevance? Aren't you supposed to be refuting the idea the cessationism is heretical? When exactly is that going to happen?)

There are claims that no one wants to debate on behalf of cessationism. I encourage you to do your homework. The debates are out there. There are people stating that cessationists focus too much on calling out the gifts today of prophecy, tongues, and healing, while welcoming the other gifts like a buffet. I can tell you in the many years I held to the belief of fallible prophecy, ecstatic tongues and such, there were no conferences to encourage the gift of teaching or serving. (This is a refutation, the author's anecdotal experiences?)

There were no webinars or impartation services for the gift of mercy. (The author claims universal knowledge.)

The focus in the Charismatic has been on prophecy, tongues, and healings. I would hope that leaders would be concerned about false prophecy and other practices that do not agree with Scripture (Which Scriptures?)

coming out of the Charismatic and hyper Charismatic circles.

In his book, Signs of the Apostles: Observations on Pentecostalism Old and New, Walter Chantry states this with regard to the modern Pentecostal movement, “None of these gifts (prophecy, tongues, dreams, and visions) may be conceived of apart from the concept of an infallible revelation from God delivered to us through those who are experiencing the gifts. Anyone who speaks in this manner must be identified as an agent of divine revelation. Certainly dreams and visions from God are claims to receiving inspired communications of God’s truth.” (Not a single Bible quote up to this point, but the author can quote some fellow's opinion.)

There are some respected continuationist leaders who would say that for us not to pursue the spiritual gifts as instructed in Scripture is disobedience to God’s Word. (Who says this?)

When it comes to modern fallible prophecy, ecstatic utterances said to be a private prayer language, and questionable or unverified healings, cessationism is not relevant or applicable to the argument because such gifts contradict those found in Scripture. (Well, that's true. Contemporary expressions have nothing at all to do with the biblical case for or against. But the author mentions what is found in Scripture, but the Bible remains closed and dusty on her desk. We are running out of article, and the author has yet to discuss anything about the Bible, or even the stated topic in the title.)

The modern prophetic movement has displayed error and the lack of satisfaction in the sufficiency of the Word of God. (How so? Are you going to explain?)

Jesus Christ is our Prophet, Priest, and King. We do not need modern apostles or prophets today, and if someone insists on needing them, then we need to ask where sola Scriptura fits into the equation. (What about Sola Scriptura? Why don't you explain where it fits into the equation yourself? While you're at it, why don't you tell us where in the Bible Sola Scriptura is taught?)

The foundation has been completed. The church could not have been built on an incomplete foundation for 1900 years if that were not so. (Incomplete foundation? What does this mean? Explain, please.

Here's more evidence the author didn't watch the video, or perhaps, didn't understand it, since later in the video Daniel Kolenda actually discussed this Scripture, Ephesians 2:20. This means that the author is completely ignorant of charismatic arguments regarding this Scripture.)

Furthermore, the forthtelling of the gospel to spiritually dead men and women whose hearts are likened to stone is prophetic because God’s Word does not return to Him void. It fulfills the purpose for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:11). (Finally, a direct reference to Scripture. An irrelevant one, but at least the author throws us a little tiny bit of meat.)

It is God who gives us a new heart, one of flesh rather than stone (Ezekiel 36, Jeremiah 31). He does a truly miraculous work. When I stop and think on what I once believed, I have to ask: when did the glorious gospel stop being enough to be in awe of the majesty, the glory, and the holy splendor of God? (Who has said the Gospel isn't enough to keep us in awe of God? Why should the Gospel be enough? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this? What is the relevance of quantifying this?)

Furthermore, I reject the notion that because I thoughtfully and carefully came to the Biblical understanding of cessationism, (What is that Biblical understanding?)

I do not know God, the Holy Spirit has not sealed me for the day of redemption, and I do not honor His sovereignty, His power, and His will. I heard His voice the day I heard the gospel, (Who has accused the author of not knowing God?)

and I am content with that. (The author's contentment is the measuring stick for proper doctrine.)

You heard His voice the day you heard the gospel, (But God doesn't speak private revelation any more??)

for those who have received Him as their Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit helps you and leads you to understand the very word he carried men along to write (2 Peter 1:19-21). (The author finally starts documenting her claims, but about things no one disputes.)

The supernatural experience that marks you and I as His own is regeneration. (The author continues to make claims no one disputes. But she drops a word, "regeneration," as if it's a common word. Like so much of everything else, she doesn't bother to explain.)

Does God heal and do miracles according to His will? Yes, He does. (We direct the reader to our discussion of "functional cessationists." 

The author concedes that God does heal, so she's actually arguing for a temporary bestowal of the gift of healing. This means she is no longer a cessationist, she is a "functional charismatic.")

I can confidently say I know of no one with the gift of healing, and I have never heard the gift of tongues in accordance with Scripture, which are known languages unknown to the speaker for the glory of God. (Another appeal to anecdotal experience.)

I understand what it is like to constantly seek to hear the voice of God while plucking Scripture out of context. (Which Scriptures, and what are the proper contexts?)

I have recognized my own error in assigning a “prophetic” meaning to a passage it never said, while being blind to the glory it contained and satisfied with the testimony of my Lord and Savior. (More appeals to personal experience.)

It seems that such discussions regarding the gifts is an in-house discussion among believers in Christ, and these discussions should be conducted without the misuse of terms, hyperbole, or adhominem attacks. (Oh, really? Is the author aware of the name-calling, hyperbolic attacks on charismatics?

Here's a fellow who thinks charismatics are heretics.

Here's a "discernment" ministry that claims that its brand of discernment is definitionally loving.

This is a "discernment" minister who was respectfully asked a question about the status of her heart when she writes about false teachers, and her response is truly astounding.

This same person does concede that some criticism is deserved, but spends the greater part of her article complaining about how difficult it is to be a "discernment" minister.

Here we have a person who believe that only false teachers are divisive, which apparently justifies any and all bad behavior from "discernment" ministers.

"Discernment" ministers can get really nasty. Here's some examples:

Karen Swallow, an admittedly questionable person, was "discerned" as follows:

• hideously ugly
• post-menopausal woman
• bizarre wardrobe choices
• a penchant for cackling
• no personal charisma
• a face that scares children
• a voice that sounds like nails down a chalkboard
• pugnacious
• unladylike
• uglier on the inside than she is on the outside
• the personality of a Roomba
• the personal charisma of fetid corpse
• unpleasant and evil woman

Here's a "discernment minister" who thinks it's appropriate to rank the worst Christian of the year.

Here's one who accuses a person of committing the unforgiveable sin.

T.D. Jakes might have some doctrinal problems, but here's what a "discernment" minister wrote about him: 

TD Jakes deserves no honor among bible teaching, God-fearing men. Like you, he deserves nothing but our contempt and the working end of the shepherd's rod.

Here's a fellow who seriously wants all charismatics to die of COVID. Yes, really.

This man says we don't have to pray for people who are false teachers.

This man feels it's within the bounds of proper discourse to call someone an imbecile.

These are not outliers, they are all "reputable" discernment ministers.)

They can be conducted with patience, gentleness, and love. This glorifies Jesus Christ, and this is what we are instructed to do in His Word. These things do matter, and we must understand what Scripture has to say, especially when it crosses over into dangerous aberrant teachings as those found in the New Apostolic Reformation. (Tell us, what does Scripture have to say? To which aberrant teachings do you refer? What is the New Apostolic Reformation? Will you every explain anything?)

Cessationism is not heretical, (Why not? When are you going to discuss your reasons for saying this?)

and it does not deny the continuing power and work of the Holy Spirit today. (Ok, how does if not deny the Holy Spirit? Are you going to explain anything?)

It seeks to honor the sufficiency of Scripture (What does "sufficiency of Scripture" mean, and how is this relevant? Are you going to explain anything?)

and to highlight the power of God and His glorious gospel.

Listen to this in-depth episode regarding the claims against cessationism and the claimed prophetic word regarding this topic: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: Is Cessationism Heretical? on Apple Podcasts