Grudem’s position can be summarized this way: In the New Testament gift of prophecy (and its correlates — visions, dreams, auditions, words of knowledge, and wisdom) the church should find a source of practical, though fallible, guidance. To adequately consider this proposition, we must notice that Grudem says very plainly that God now speaks as He has never previously spoken. Though the means through which God speaks are purportedly the same, the words He speaks are different from everything He has said before — to the Old Testament saints, to Jesus, to the apostles. In short, the words God speaks have been redefined, for they are no longer His very words, inerrant and authoritative.
If the Bible actually says that this is the case, then so be it. But we need to consider Grudem’s evidence from the Bible. Aside from his treatment of Agabus the prophet, Grudem’s chief support for prophecy as a source of fallible practical guidance comes from two texts: 1 Corinthians 14:29 and I Thessalonians 5:20-22.
To read the entire article click here: Does God Speak Today Apart from the Bible? by R. Fowler White
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2 comments:
Great post.
I posted a sort article against Grudem's view of supernatural gifts baack on May 2. Though I didn't name him, I figured most people would know who I meant. His view of the continuing gift of prophecy is virtually identical to the old liberal view of Scripture: reliable though fallible.
The more I've read his ST, the less I find I like it.
Grudem has some useful discussion of Reformed issues in his Systematic Theology. However, the chapters on the gifts and cessationism are total bunk.
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