Most evangelical Christians have not sided with the theology
of Rudolf Bultmann, (Rudolf Karl Bultmann
was a German Lutheran theologian and professor of New Testament at the
University of Marburg. He was one of the major figures of early 20th century
biblical studies and a prominent voice in liberal Christianity), who
insisted that we could not believe the Bible as it is written, but we must
de-mythologize it. That is, we must take out of it those things that were
religious myths in order to understand what the language means in our own day.
I disagree with Dr. Bultmann. The Bible does not need to be
de-mythologized in order to understand its real meaning. But could we evangelical
Christians possibly be doing our own degree of de-mythologizing? What I mean is this: Have we been de-mythologizing
what the Scriptures say about the charismatic teaching on spiritual gifts? I know in some circles of evangelicalism it is
popular to teach that the “sign” gifts are no longer valid for today. Signs
gifts being, healings, miracles, casting out demons, speaking in tongues,
interpretation of tongues, and so on. But I also have noticed this. In the churches where the signs gifts are
practiced, there is a spiritual passion and rejuvenating energy that pervades the
whole congregation. In those churches where signs gifts are frowned on, there
is a staleness mix with a deadening spirit. Of course, there are exceptions to
this. But overall, what the church really needs is the charismatic dimension in
our churches.
I am not saying we need a new doctrine. What we need is a new
dynamism that will make all of the old evangelical conviction operational. We need not so much to be educated as to be
vitalized. It is not a doctrine of the Spirit that we need, but
a movement of the Spirit pervading and filling us and setting our convictions
on fire.
Just a thought!
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