Subject: Who decided that the extraordinary gifts |
Bible Note: Hello BMyers, To answer your question about what constitutes a "normative experience" in scripture, I think we need to look at a couple things: 1. Do we find that scripture prescribes the raising of the dead for all believers in all ages at any time? In other words, from the examples in scripture, do we find these passages teaching (or prescibing) this as a mandated practice? Or, is it merely desribing this? I simply don't see the weight of scripture supporting this as anything close to a "normative experience"; 2. Is the raising of the dead truly necessary as a (sign) witness to unbelievers? From my perspective and understanding, I find far more examples of faith in the Bible (Heb. 11), than I do the dead being raised. I also find no examples of anyone coming to faith BECAUSE of one being raised from the dead (aside from Jesus)![Luke 16:20-31 as a prime example] Correct me if I'm mistaken. Even empirically, do we find this happening as a semi-regular occurence? Certainly not! As a cessationist, I feel it easier for man to seek signs than walk by faith (Gal. 6:12). God can perform miracles as He deems necessary to accomplish His will, but I see far more evidence of man manipulating these for his own spectacular gain! Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |