In a recent lecture, Pastor Mark declared that those who hold to a cessationist view are worldly, influenced by the same thinking as atheists and deists. He said that atheists believe that God cannot do miracles because He does not exist, deists believe that God can do miracles but does not, and that cessationists believe that God used to do miracles, but does not do them anymore. Pastor Mark then cracked a joke that cessationists claim to believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, even though He changed in this area. He also stated that the verses (1 Corinthians 13:8-13) cessationists use as evidence of their beliefs have been "twisted into origami".
As a person who holds cessationist beliefs, I have a real issue with this broad characterization. My belief, and the belief of my particular denomination, is that the supernatural gifts (prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpretation) existed until the completion of the Bible. At that time, the supernatural gifts ceased to exist, but the spiritual gifts of faith, hope, and love continued. I fully believe that miracles can, and do, occur.
Please understand that this post is somewhat reactionary. I will readily admit that Mark Driscoll is immensely smarter than I am and has studied this issue much deeper than I have. However, to label individuals and groups as "worldly" and to group them with atheists and deists simply because they interpret a passage differently smacks of arrogance.
Please take the time to listen to lecture and see if you agree or disagree with what I have written. It is possible that I misinterpreted his intentions.
What are your thoughts on this?
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