Monthly Archives: April 2010

What Are Spiritual Gifts? – Book Review

Posted on April 5, 2010 by | Leave a comment

spiritual+gifts

by Scott

In this article, I specifically want to share some thoughts on a book about spiritual gits that I read about six months ago. It is entitled What Are Spiritual Gifts? Rethinking the Conventional View, by Kenneth Berding, Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University in California.

The main premise of the book is Berding’s challenge of what he calls the conventional view of spiritual gifts. What he means by this term is that most people see spiritual gifts as latent abilities hidden within a person that we are to try to unearth and discover. I believe this is a fair summary of Berding’s understanding of the ‘conventional view’, as seen from his own words:

‘The difficulty arises because, in the conventional view, there is underlying the entire discussion the assumption that a latent ability has been discovered and should be used by the person doing the ministry.’ (p99)

Therefore, because of his disagreement with this conventional approach, author Kenneth Berding takes up the task of truly defining the words charisma, charismata and pneumatika (this task is directly undertaken in chapters 5 and 6, though this is relevant to the whole work).

In doing so, he sees spiritual gifts not as special abilities to be unearthed in a particular person, but he rather defines them as ministry roles or ministry appointments. This is evidenced in such words as:

‘Paul doesn’t encourage his readers to try to discover their special spiritual abilities; rather, he challenges and encourages them to strengthen the community of faith in whatever roles of ministry that God has placed them.’ (p77)

In all, he emphasises the function of the gifts, the outworking and serving with the gifts, not so much the gift being an inward entity itself to be discovered by the person.

I believe this is an amazingly healthy view and emphasis with regards to spiritual gifts. He, like I, is not a big fan of spiritual gift tests. For so many in the conventional approach, this is the place to start in helping one determine their spiritual gifts. But I am not so sure that is the best place to start. I always laugh when one of my friends refers to these tests as Christian horoscopes.

Now, I am not saying a spiritual gift test is evil. It might even be helpful. But my understanding, at least from the little bit of Scripture that addresses these things (i.e. Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 4:10-11), we are not really encouraged to give a whole lot of time to ‘figuring out’ our giftings.

Rather, I see Scripture emphasising that we get on with serving one another, washing one another’s feet, and the specific giftings of God will become more evident through such serving activities. And, even more, as we stay connected to the body of Christ and its leaders, we will, in turn, be encouraged and stirred about the gifts and serving ministries to which God has called us. Thus, spiritual giftings are not something one discovers on their own, but rather within community, that being the body of Christ.

Not only that, I feel that most spiritual gift tests are too defined around the specific gifts. You must fit this mold for this gift. But it becomes too stuffy. Plus, as one who is a full continuationist, I believe all biblical gifts are still available. But most spiritual gift tests don’t give opportunity for one to consider apostolic and prophetic gifts, but that’s another story…

So, back to Berding’s book. As I said, I truly appreciate his emphasis on seeing spiritual gifts as the serving roles and ministry functions that God opens for His people. There is a healthy focus on the actual doing and serving, not the unearthing of some hidden ability.

Nevertheless, there are a few things I would challenge him on:

1) I am ok to refer to spiritual gifts as ‘abilities’, though he is not. I don’t generally agree with what he calls the ‘conventional view’ and it’s focus on hidden abilities to discover. But I think it is quite ok to recognise our giftings as actual abilities given to us by God, and thus that these gifts are within the believer.

Why? Well, the One who gifts us is resident within us – the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I believe it is fine to recognise that the gifts are actually within us, resident in the body of Christ. Again, I would emphasise functioning and serving with those gifts. It’s ridiculous to talk about something in you that you never walk out or serve the body with. But, for me, it is a little too nit picky to steer clear of the phrasing, ‘abilities within’, if we keep it in the true context of serving with our gifts.

2) Berding does not like using the word ability to speak of spiritual gifts. But he does like using the word enablement. Yet, when I read his work, many times he uses the two words as synonyms (i.e. p25). For me, it is a little inconsistent. I think he might be walking a fine line of semantics that, at times, leaves him falling on the side he says he doesn’t side with.

3) He is continually adamant that the giftings of God are not God-given abilities. Yet, when it comes to the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (which Berding still believes are active today), he is willing to concede that they are Spirit-given abilities. Here are his words (sorry for the longer quote):

‘The conventional approach views the list in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 as a list of Spirit-given abilities, and in one sense that is a valid perspective – at least for this list. But there are two aspects of this particular list that stand out as different from Paul’s other lists. First, for all the items in this list, the power of the Holy Spirit is obvious when these activities occur. For this reason, these items are grouped together and are referred to as the “manifestation of the Spirit.”

Second, for the items in this list, enablement is a prerequisite for the activities. In some of the other ministries found in Paul’s other lists (for example, administration, service, teaching), enablement is not as noticeable and the activity can be done, at least to some degree, through the employment of natural abilities.’ (p112-113)

Now, no doubt discussion exists around whether there is a difference between the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and those listed elsewhere in the New Testament, at least with regards to their enabling, as Berding hints at in the quote above. But, for me, things get a little hairy when you start saying that the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 need Spirit enabling and empowering, but the other lists do not. Interestingly enough, Romans 12 includes prophecy and Ephesians 4 includes prophet. So, maybe only those need Spirit enabling from those lists. The others don’t.

Of course, non-Christians can serve and give (those being two specific gifts found in Romans 12:6-8). But that isn’t necessarily the problem. What we are trying to do is to consider all of these giftings as empowered by the Spirit for the believer. I was administrative before I became a Christian. But that does not negate the Spirit-enablement I need in my administration now. The past 12+ years, I utilise, or should utilise, all my giftings in the power of the Spirit for the expanse of God’s kingdom and building up the body of Christ.

So, in all, I would say Berding’s separation of the differing lists of gifts is not helpful. He might say he is not trying to separate them, but it leaves one feeling that is what he is doing. To that, I cannot agree. I believe all spiritual gifts are, or should be, enabled and empowered by the One who dwells in us and gifts the body – the Holy Spirit.

4) Even when I go back into the Old Testament and read the account of people like Oholiab and Bezalel (the two main craftsmen of the tabernacle), I get this sense that the gifts of God are abilities within us. Read Exodus 31:1-11. Specifically look at what it says in vs3 and vs6. I am left believing the gifts of God are actually given to us. And, of course, they are given so that we might function in them and serve the body of Christ (Berding’s emphasis). I don’t want to walk down the full path of the conventional approach. But, again, I am ok to recognise that these gifts are given to and, therefore, are within the Spirit-indwelt believer.

5) Finally, if spiritual gifts are simply the serving and ministry roles we have, then this might give precedence for just about everything to be considered a spiritual gift. Remember, for Berding, spiritual gift = ministry role. So, you then have the ministry role of ushering, worship leader, church building cleaner, secretary, gardener, etc. Thus, since ‘ministry role’ is synonymous with spiritual gift, you then have the spiritual gift of ushering, worship leader, church building cleaner, secretary, gardener, etc. For me, I am not convinced it works like that.

Now, what you could have is those people especially gifted in serving (maybe even appointed as deacons) who serve in some administration, serve as an usher or greeter, etc. You might have someone who is gifted as a leader, and with prophetic insight, who is also regularly leading the time of corporate worship. But, I think Berding’s definition of spiritual gifts as ministry roles or ministry assignments might just lead down the path of recognising everything as a spiritual gift. Yes, I believe spiritual gifts are probably broader than the four passages in the New Testament. But I think a lot of our serving roles fall under some of those gifts listed in the Scripture.

In all, as I have said, I really appreciate Kenneth Berding’s emphasis on serving and functioning in our gifts. I am not too high on this idea of ‘finding our gifts’, especially through 100-question tests. I think the Scripture gives better ways to know the gifts of God that He has given us: 1) get on with serving and 2) stay connected to the body of Christ and its leaders. But, I do think it is ok to recognise the gifts, all gifts, as within us, even abilities within us, since the Spirit of God has taken up residence within us Himself.

Leave a comment

Posted in books, Gifts of the Spirit

Tagged , , ,

The Spirit of Wisdom

Posted on April 1, 2010 by | Leave a comment

by Scott

I have started to dip into the Proverbs this week. There is truly so much there, which I especially see in the first few chapters that I have read through thus far. As I began reading the other day, one specific verse popped out at me. We all know the reality of reading a passage many times, but just at the ‘right time’ the verse reaches out and grabs us, drawing us in to consider more deeply what is being communicated. It’s time for the Spirit to help us understand something we did not yet understand.

That happened with Proverbs 1:23:

If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.

Within this section, mainly 1:20-33, wisdom is being personified: Wisdom cries aloud in the street (vs20). She’s actually speaking on behalf of Yahweh, here. It’s almost as if God Himself is calling out. And He is. Specifically, wisdom is calling out to the simple ones and scoffers, or maybe better defined as the unwise.

She tells these unwise folk to turn at her reproof (vs23a). We don’t like reproof, discipline and other such synonyms, do we? It doesn’t fit much into our theology today, or at least our practical theology. But we are told only a couple of chapters later that discipline is actually important because it stands as proof of the love of God for His children. Check out 3:12. What father would not [righteously] discipline and reprove their child?

What will happen if the unwise (the simple and scoffers) listen to the reproof of wisdom (or God Himself)? The passage says something interesting will take place: the spirit of wisdom will be poured out on them and wise words will be made known to them.Quite an amazing gift for humbling ourselves to the reproof of wisdom.

But the challenge is being willing to receive reproof.

Now, I wouldn’t necessarily consider the sons and daughters of God to be included in with the simple ones and scoffers. I think this is more referring to those who are not new creations (to use New Testament language). But, no doubt we can still fall into such a trap, right? We need to guard against living as the simple and scoffers.

The word simple can be used positively, like in Richard Foster’s The Freedom of Simplicity. It is quite a noble task to maintain a simplicity in our lives in the midst of the technologically rushed age of today. Such is a true spiritual discipline.

But, as I’ve noted, in Proverbs, the simple are more synonymous with being unwise. And in the poetic parallelism, a characteristic of Hebrew poetry, the simple and the scoffers are equivalents. And, at times (or at many times), we can find ourselves living like unwise simplelarians (if that’s a word) or unwisely arrogant scoffers as well. Even yesterday I got easily drawn into being a scoffer through some complaining and cynicism. Not good.

So, recalling that situation from yesterday, these words from Proverbs 1:23 mean so much more now.

For those who turn at the reproof of wisdom, or the discipline of God, the spirit of wisdom will be available to them. Even God’s own words will be made known to them.Again, I’m thinking this an amazing opportunity.

Now, Proverbs is not usually quoted in regards to many charismatic experiences. And do know that I’m not even trying to label these words of vs23 as ‘charismatic’ in the more defined sense from the past 40 years or so in the ‘charismatic movement’. But I will say that I am very much drawn in to the fact that I want God to pour out His Spirit of wisdom on me.

That phrase – Spirit of wisdom – is not used frequently in the Scripture. It shows up all of 3 times. One place is where we are told the Messianic shoot of Jesse will be have the Spirit of wisdom rest upon Him (Isaiah 11:1-5). Well if there ever was one who walked with the Spirit of wisdom, it was the divine Messiah Himself.

And, here we are now, the body of Christ called to be Christ in the earth. And I suppose that God desires this same Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom, to rest upon His people. Not just so we can have a charismatic experience by giving a revelation or prophecy or word of knowledge or word of wisdom, though those things are good and right. This is about an all-encompassing Spirit of wisdom for the whole life.

Whether I am in pastoral counseling, janitorial cleaning or paper-filing in an office, I want the Spirit of wisdom to be poured out into my life.

Now, we’ve got a good starting point, since the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost and is now available to all God’s people – young and old, male and female. And, since Christ was empowered by the Spirit of wisdom, I am absolutely convinced that He wants His body to share in this same particular aspect of the Spirit.

So, we must remember that we have a place to launch from. We are not trying to initiate something here. It has been initiated in the new covenant. We are in the Messianic age in which Jesus, the Messiah, has been given the privilege of pouring out His Spirit upon all His people. Good starting point, right?

But now the challenge is to walk in this on a regular basis. Whether reproof is needed or not, to be in a place of longing to know God’s Spirit of wisdom and to know His words, to quote the wise writer of Proverbs.

I also find Paul’s words to the Ephesians quite beautiful. It was a prayer:

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:15-23)

I hesitated at first of whether I should post such a large passage. Such does not fall under helpful guidelines for blogging. But I felt I needed to lay out the greater picture of what is going on here. I mean, this is absolutely astounding if we think about the words!

The prayer includes Paul asking that God would give us, the saints, a spirit of wisdom and revelation. And, as I’ve mentioned, for those of us in Christ, there is a sense in which the Spirit of wisdom and revelation is already a part of our lives. We have had our eyes enlightened because we are born of new life.

But, by no means have we fully reached there yet. It’s the tension that exists in this present age. The kingdom is here, but not yet fully. We are in Christ, but not yet fully. We have the Spirit, but the effects are only firstfruits in this age. There is more to walk into now and to walk into at the consummation.

And this prayer voices what Paul longs to see become a reality in the Ephesian believers.

So we find ourselves in need, very much in need. Not so much a frivolous grasping out of our own effort and merit, but in a real humble place of need. I am compelled in my heart to know the work of the Spirit of wisdom, to know His words, as we are reminded in Proverbs. I want to voice the same prayer Paul did so long ago to be filled with a spirit of wisdom and revelation,having my eyes enlightened.

In my whole life, and in the spontaneity of life, I want God to continue to unveil who He is and what He is doing. I can’t muster up enough zeal to twist His arm in to doing so. Well, if I did such, that would group me in with the unwise. But I still find myself thirsting for the wisdom that only He can give, the words that only He can speak, the Spirit that only He can bestow.

He’s here within, so we have a good starting point. But I suppose we will spend the rest of this age, and even all eternity, seeing His wisdom unveiled.

Leave a comment

Posted in revelation, wisdom

Tagged ,