Dec
02
2009
Carson on Spiritual Gifts
The Gospel Coalition has posted the sermon series that formed the basis of D.A. Carson’s book, Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12-14.
- The Unity of the Body and the Diversity of Gifts (1 Cor. 12)
- The Most Excellent Way: When Does Perfection Come? (1 Cor. 13)
- Prophecy and Tongues: Pursuing What Is Best (1 Cor. 14:1-15)
- Order and Authority: Restraining Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor. 14:26-40)
- Unleashed Power and the Constraints of Discipline: Toward a Theology of Spiritual Gifts
(Links fixed—I think!)
23 Comments
Ooh, nice one Justin. Thanks for posting. This book, when it first came out, rocked my anti-charismatic world and turned my then solidly MacArthurite head not a few times. Moreover, there’s a footnote somewhere (don’t have the book with me) that speaks to the Greek verbal aspect which directly conflicts with Stan Porter’s Idioms of New Testament Greek, which I brought up in my Greek class (many years ago) and by instructor (Craig Blomberg) checked it out and sided with Carson. Not sure of the details, but it was important at the time (and likely still is!).
Hmmm…I just assumed that Carson was a cessasionist but I’m gathering from Paul’s comment that Carson is not a cessasionist then? Does anyone know?
This is an aside, but I never understood why so many women are charismatic and pentecostals until a friend shared an insight with me. Having started in the charismatic movement himself, he said it gives women power and it helps their self-esteem. If a woman is not very happy being submissive in the Lord and someone comes along tells them they have the gift of prophecy it gives them a real sense of power. I never thought of it that way but I thought his insight was helpful because women that I have known who are charismatic and who were charismatic are controlling people.
Wow! That’s a sexist bias if I’ve ever heard one!
That comment is sexist, biased, unsubstantiated in every way. Unfortunately I have found it to be true. The cases I have had to deal with in regard to the misuse of revelatory gifts have always (and sadly so) involved women. In good post-modern fashion, “For me it is true!” :-) Why?
It really isn’t sexist to admit what the Bible’s teaching is on women wanting to control. Gen 3 admits that much. Just as it wouldn’t be sexist to admit men’s desire to want to oppress.
The charismatic and pentecostalism environment is a perfect breeding ground for controlling women. Do you know how tempting it would be for a women to be told she has the gift of prophecy? Look at people like Kay Arthur.
So, it’s not sexist or biased or unsubstantiated. It’s true.
Ha! You guys need to meet more charismatic women. All the ones I know are very happy in their role as wives and aren’t controlling at all. The cessationist women I know are all control freaks. So there!!!!
In all for real actual honest to goodness seriousness…Carson is the man.
Many thanks, JT!
Those links don’t work for me. Am I the only one?
They’re not working for me either.
They are fixed now. Thanks JT.
[...] 2, 2009 As Justin Taylor points out, these sermons were the basis of D.A. Carson’s book, Showing the Spirit: A [...]
I’ll second Joey and say I’ve met many charismatic women who are not controlling and practice biblical submission (Sovereign Grace Ministries is particularly good at cultivating this), and I’ve met Christian women from cessationist backgrounds who are controlling.
Please, let’s not enforce negative stereotypes on charismatics, cessationists, men or women. They are our brothers in Christ, and we show them great disrespect when we do.
Kay Arthur? Dude you’ve got her mixed up with someone else.
Hi Justin
Do you know when Carson’s Through the Bible lectures from Bethlehem Baptist Church earlier this year will surface on GC? I am looking forward to hearing them.
Why don’t the mp3s have tags!?
Another book to add to the discussion is “Understanding Spiritual Gifts” by Robert Thomas. It is heavy on the exegesis and takes a different point than Carson’s. You do not have to agree with it, but it would be good to read.
I’ve just tried to listen to the first lecture. About 45 minutes on, there’s a sudden end, and it starts again from the beginning. I’d love to hear the rest!
I had the same problem with the audio breaking off, then starting over (not to the beginning of the actual file, just a repeat glitch to the beginning of the lecture).
I’m having the same problem. The second lecture is badly abbreviated too.
[...] H/T: The Source [...]
So, to summarize, the first 2 messages are only half of the lecture. I would love to hear the rest. If you can, please repost them.
The links are still faulty :(
[...] (HT: Justin Taylor) [...]