Jon Ruthven

An important book to read for both cessionists and continualists. His main point, as the author describes it, is that "the central issue of Christianity, the atonement of Christ and the believers' acceptance of that by faith, should be supplamented and strenghtened by the operation of continuing 'extraordinary' spiritual gifts" (p.xxi).

This book is a revision and expansion of an earlier edition by the same title.

The authur summarizes the history of cessationism the a little before the Jesus' time through our modern era with B.B. Warfield as the major influence. Using Warfield's polemic against the charismata, Ruthven presents a scholarly yet readable argument in defense of it and a coherent and Biblicaly based rebuttal of the cessationist view.

Ruthven cites Warfields major failure as confusing the sufficiency of revelation with the means of communicating and expressing it, and posits that "the charismata do not accredit the Gospel, nor do they replace the Gospel; rather the charismata express the Gospel" (p.11). Ruthven further contends that "miracles manifest the essential core activity of [Jesus'] mission; to displace the physical and spiritual ruin of the demonic kingdom by the wholeness of the Kingdom of God" (p.101).

In critiquing Warfield's cessationism, significant passages wherein the idea of the charismata is not readily evident are discussed and charismatic elements in these passages pointed out. Afterwards, in his final chaper discussing his summary and conlcusion, Ruthven points out those passages of Scripture text that reiterate the continuation of the charismata until the parousia.

Included are four appendixes thoroughly covering such questions in Scriptural passages as what is the so-called "Evidence" of the Spirit with respect to the book of Acts, Does Spiritual Gift of Apostleship Also Continue", Ephesians 2:20 regarding "foundational gifts", and "Isaiah 59:19-21 as the Programmatic Prophecy" in the book of Acts, adding how this passage in Isaiah has unfortuantely "received scant attention in both theology and biblical studies" (p.221, footnote 1).

As with his other book, "What's Wrong with Protestant Theology", I find this book to be an important edition too the debate over spiritual gifts and it seems to be the only scholarly resource to date, along with his previous aformentioned title, to have discussed the issue so thoroughly, coherently, and biblically.

There may be others who have covered the issue but none seem to have done so in such an intensive and broad way covering almost every facet of the debate. Most if the books I've read have been more on a personal level based on personal experiences, which is not in itself a bad thing or faulty; as one has said, "You can't argue with experience."

However, Ruthven's study is objective and based solely on Biblical revelation, experience aside. His appendix on Isaiah 59:19-21 in its relation to the Book of Acts was, for me, the most interesting and exciting investigation that brings to view the Kingdom of God and the ministry of Christ through the Spirit in a totally wonderfully new light.

This book is also a great scholarly resource for further study and review.

My one issue with this book is that in a couple of places, the Scripture referenced seems to be incorrectly cited. I suggest that in future editions, an editor needs to do a more thorough review of citations and make appropriate corrections. I also found this to be more of a problem with Ruthven's "What's Wrong with Protestant Theology" and would recommend future editions be reviewed for errors in Scriptural citations.

For the continualist, this book assists in strengthening and confirming one's instinctive trust in the charismatic ministry of the Risen Lord; and for the cessationist, this book will make serious challenges to what I see as an unwarranted and deficient understanding of God's work on the earth in an through the Church.… (altro)