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Spiritual Gifts

"Spiritual Gifts: 
What They Are & Why They Matter"
Thomas R. Schreiner


"Spiritual Gifts" by Thomas Schreiner is a thought-provoking little book. The author considers himself a "nuanced cessationist" meaning that he believes that spiritual gifts have ceased in that they are not practiced today in the same manner in which they were practiced in the NT. I don't know that the author is a complete cessationist, he seems to be open to the possibility of continuationism and would probably change his mind if exposed to REAL manifestations of the Holy Spirit, which he doesn't seem to ever have been or at least is skeptical.

In 11 chapters he briefly discusses the definitions of each spiritual gift, answers commonly asked questions, and spends the last few chapters explaining popular views and his own beliefs on the gift of tongues and prophecy. 

As someone who was raised Pentecostal, I disagree with him on several points, especially the speaking in tongues, healings, and miracles. But I appreciate his respectful manner in which he handles his disagreements. His tone doesn't strike me as condescending nor prideful which I like and makes the reading more enjoyable even though I disagree with him. 

The one thing that bothered me a lot was his statement that "the church has the authoritative guidance for faith and practice in the Scriptures, the gifts and miracles which were needed to build up the early church are no longer needed, and they are not common."  Nothing could be further from the truth. I could easily write an entire book countering this claim but this is not the space for that. Suffice to say, that I believe the author could benefit from not reading too deep into the Scriptures so that he puts words in Paul's lips and simply allow the Holy Spirit to give him revelation.

Despite it all, I would recommend this book both to cessationists and continuationists alike. 

I received a copy of this book from B&H in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. 

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