Post-Pentecostal/Charismatic

I found an excellent testimony on why Steven Harris decided to leave his charismatic church (http://worldofsven.co.uk/theology/archives/theologytheologyarchive_2005-w38.php). I could identify with most of what he has said in his blog post, though I would add that the charismatic movement as a whole is plagued with heterodoxy and even outright heresy, especially the Word of Faith movement and the Oneness Pentecostal movement.

I also find the miracle claims made by charismatics to be misleading and deceptive. The real issue isn't cessationism--it's credibility. Even if we grant that the Bible does not teach cessationism, it becomes problematic to find miracles today that are verifiable and documented. Anecdotal evidence does not meet the biblical criteria nor does it meet the modern expectations for credibility. If we accept every miracle claim just based on the word of the witnesses, then we might be obligated to accept miracles in other religions. We might even be deceived by cheap parlor tricks that any magician could pull off equally well. It would do us well to subject "miracle" claims to the test of experienced debunkers who know sleight-of-hand tricks and how people can be manipulated psychologically and through misdirection.

Sincerely in Christ,

Charlie