I’m almost done reading Jon Ruthven’s wonderful book on cessationism. It’s a fabulous book, even if it is a little too academic for most readers. Hopefully I’ll be able to do something of a review later, but for now I wanted to share this quote:
Much divisiveness over the gifts of the Spirit today derives from a premise common to both sides to the debate: evidentialism. If spiritual gifts are adduced as proofs of spiritual status or attainment, rather than used as tools for humble service for others, then conflict naturally follows. The core temptation to the first and Last Adam (Christ), and by extension to all of us, was to use spiritual knowledge and power to accredit one’s independent and exalted religious status, instead of through them rendering glory, obedience and service to God. Spiritual gifts are powerful weapons against the kingdom of darkness; but misapplied in evidentialist polemics they can wound and destroy the people of God.
neumatikos 
I’m sorry to do this here, since it has nothing to do with your Evidentialist post (which you’ve intrigued me with wondering where Ruthven falls on this debate) but I noticed that you have a link to my blog under the supervision section that is broken. I input my blogsite above and hope that you’ll continue supervising me 🙂
Thanks!!
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I’m not supervising, I’m surveying. Unfortunately, I’m obviously “surveying” so many people that I didn’t notice that your posts weren’t showing up. oops. Should be corrected now.
Jon Ruthven is definitely not a cessationist. He’s a theology professor at Regent University, one of the biggest charismatic non-denominational seminaries in the US.
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