Critiquing: Episode #029 The Charismatic Gifts of the Spirit
January 24, 2020 | Ask NT Wright Anything – Premier
Prophecy and Tongues — Signs and Wonders — Holy Spirit Experiences — Cessationism Debate — Biblical Interpretation
Episode Assessment:
 | | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Degree of Accuracy | B | The content appears to be accurate based on biblical references and historical context provided by NT Wright. However, some anecdotal evidence could benefit from further validation. |
| Degree of Coherence | B+ | The discussion is logically coherent, with well-structured arguments and clear progression of thoughts. The connection between different topics is maintained effectively. |
| Absence of Fallacies | B | Generally free from logical fallacies, but there are instances where anecdotal evidence is used to support broader claims, which could be seen as weak evidence. |
| Degree of Evidence | B- | The evidence presented is primarily scriptural and anecdotal. While scriptural references are strong, anecdotal evidence lacks scientific rigor and broader empirical support. |
| Degree of Testability | C | The claims about the charismatic gifts and their manifestations today are difficult to test scientifically. Many statements rely on personal experiences and interpretations, which are inherently subjective. |
| Rational Confidence | C+ | The rational confidence in the content is moderate. While the theological basis is sound, the reliance on personal testimonies and less empirical data lowers the overall confidence. |
Potential/Apparent Weaknesses:
1. Degree of Evidence
The use of anecdotal evidence is prevalent in this episode. NT Wright shares personal stories and testimonies to support the existence and significance of charismatic gifts. While these anecdotes are compelling, they lack the empirical rigor needed for broader validation. For instance, Wright mentions instances where people prayed in tongues and were understood in different languages by bystanders. This type of evidence is difficult to verify independently and lacks the reproducibility needed for strong empirical support.
“I do know people. I have met people who have found themselves strongly led to speaking tongues on a crowded bus and somebody comes up to them and says, ‘How come you speak fluent Hindustani?’ or whatever it is. And I have no doubt that that happens.”
2. Degree of Testability
The claims made about the continuation and manifestation of charismatic gifts today are inherently difficult to test. This is because they often involve personal spiritual experiences and miracles that do not easily lend themselves to scientific investigation. While scriptural references provide a theological basis, the personal nature of these experiences means they cannot be reliably tested or replicated.
“God does all sorts of odd things and I think there’s a sort of Christian fear and rationalism sometimes that doesn’t want God to act in that way because it might sort of imply that we’re short of something.”
Syllogistic Formulation of Major Arguments:
1. Charismatic Gifts and Their Continuation
- If the gifts of the Spirit are given by God for the edification of the church, then they should be expected to continue as long as the church exists.
- The gifts of the Spirit are given by God for the edification of the church.
- Therefore, the gifts of the Spirit should be expected to continue as long as the church exists.
Counter-Argument:
The continuation of the charismatic gifts is not universally accepted within the Christian tradition. The cessationist viewpoint argues that these gifts were specific to the apostolic age and ceased with the completion of the New Testament canon. This position is based on interpretations of passages such as 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, which suggest that certain gifts would cease when “the perfect” comes, interpreted by cessationists as the completion of the biblical canon. Additionally, historical observations indicate a decrease in such miraculous gifts after the apostolic era, supporting the cessationist perspective. This also brings into question whether a supernatural gift of tongues was actually present during the Acts of the Apostles.
2. Biblical Basis for Cessationism
- If the New Testament indicates that certain gifts will cease, then it is possible for the gifts to have ceased after the apostolic age.
- The New Testament indicates in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 that certain gifts will cease.
- Therefore, it is possible for the gifts to have ceased after the apostolic age.
Counter-Argument:
The interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 is contested. Many theologians argue that “the perfect” refers to the second coming of Christ or the full realization of God’s kingdom, not the completion of the New Testament canon. This implies that the gifts of the Spirit are meant to continue until Christ returns. Furthermore, historical and contemporary accounts of charismatic experiences suggest that these gifts have persisted beyond the apostolic age, providing ongoing evidence against the cessationist viewpoint.
However, if there has been no cessation of spiritual gifts, the evidence should be plentiful. That is not what we see.
3. Role of Personal Experience in Understanding Charismatic Gifts
- If personal spiritual experiences are valid for understanding the work of the Holy Spirit, then they can provide insights into the existence and operation of charismatic gifts.
- Personal spiritual experiences are valid for understanding the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Therefore, personal spiritual experiences can provide insights into the existence and operation of charismatic gifts.
Counter-Argument:
Personal spiritual experiences are subjective and can be influenced by psychological, cultural, and emotional factors. While they are valuable for personal faith, they lack the objectivity and verifiability required for broader doctrinal conclusions. Theological positions should be based primarily on scriptural and historical evidence, which provide a more consistent and reliable foundation for understanding the work of the Holy Spirit.
More importantly, actual spiritual gifts that allegedly have a manifestation that transcends material expectations can and should be accompanied by clear documentation.
4. Interpretation of Tongues and Prophecy
- If the New Testament depicts tongues and prophecy as gifts for the edification of the church, then their proper use is essential for church growth.
- The New Testament depicts tongues and prophecy as gifts for the edification of the church.
- Therefore, the proper use of tongues and prophecy is essential for church growth.
Counter-Argument:
If church growth depends on the “proper use” of these alleged spiritual gifts, that claim should be testable in some way.
◉ The Dubious Purpose of the Modern Gift of Tongues:
Examining the Utility and Coherence of the Gift of Tongues Today
The gift of tongues has been a topic of theological discussion and debate for centuries. Based on the anecdotes shared in the recent podcast, where instances of prayer in tongues were allegedly understood by bystanders but not by the one praying, a critical question arises: What is the real utility of the gift of tongues today?
Historically, the book of Acts recounts the miraculous event of Pentecost, where the apostles spoke in various tongues, and the diverse crowd each heard the Gospel in their own language. This event showcased a clear and impactful purpose for the gift of tongues—communicating the message of Christianity across linguistic barriers, thereby facilitating the rapid spread of the faith. If this original function were still evident today, it would present a coherent reason for the continued existence of the gift of tongues.
However, the contemporary manifestation of tongues often appears to lack this clear utility. The podcast anecdotes, such as a prayer in tongues being mysteriously understood by an onlooker, suggest isolated incidents rather than a widespread, functional application. If the gift of tongues today is meant to serve as “signs and wonders,” its occurrence is exceedingly rare and insufficiently substantiated to fulfill that purpose convincingly. The scarcity of verifiable instances undermines the argument for its current utility.
Moreover, the statistical substantiation of speaking in tongues is problematic. Unlike other spiritual gifts that can be observed and measured more directly (such as acts of charity or teaching), the private and subjective nature of tongues makes it difficult to evaluate its prevalence and impact. This lack of empirical evidence contributes to the perception that speaking in tongues has no actual, coherent purpose in today’s religious context.
In conclusion, the gift of tongues today does not seem to serve a clear, practical purpose as it allegedly did in the early church. Its role as a sign or wonder is too rare and unsubstantiated, and it does not demonstrate the same utility for spreading the Gospel across linguistic divides as seen in the book of Acts. This leads to the perspective that the gift of tongues, as experienced today, lacks a coherent reason for its existence within modern Christian practice.
We warmly welcome you to discuss this topic further in the comments section. Your thoughts and insights are valuable as we explore the relevance and purpose of the gift of tongues in contemporary faith practice.
Free of Faith 
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