From: Jerry L Steen [email protected]
Well, Keith, I am either on target with my doctrinal stand or I need to check my pulse. I scored a "0" by not marking anything. Again, you have found an unusual way of bringing home a point. I have heard all of these statements at one time or another in my Christian walk. Many of those statements separate and polarize the body of Christ. None of the statements have a basis in scripture. I am sure that Satan is laughing at us when he sees how he can divide us. --Jerry Steen,
From: "Pierpont" [email protected]
You've left no room here for those who are sincere cessationists but love and respect all those in the body of Christ. (But do give yourself credit for stimulating a response).
Your survey makes room for Charismatics of various degrees, and those who fear or bash charismatics. I have no fear of charismatics and would not "bash" them. I believe I can disagree with their view of the congruence of first century tongues and the modern tongues phenomenon, but still agree with them on a vast body of other truths held in common.
It would be the same way I view a brother who came from a holiness point of view on sanctification. I would not fear or bash him, but learn from him and share a common commitment to holiness of life, but disagree about some of the theology.
This was my experience last week in grad school. I enjoyed rich fellowship and oneness of mind with a Wesleyan pastor with whom I shared a common commitment to personal holiness. I didn't have the same depth of agreement with a number of the other pastors. They have the same construct as I do regarding sanctification, but consider us legalists who have standards they don't share.
Thanks for your provocative essay. --Kenneth L. Pierpont, Fremont, Michigan
From: Jeff Switter [email protected]
I don't know about my church, but I come out between Charis-friendly and charis-phobic I'd probably call it charis-leave-me-alone. My biggest disagreement with charismatic (or Pentecostal) churches is their insistence that tongues are a must. I believe that if God wanted me to speak in tongues He would have me do so whether I knew it or not. This is part of that idea that" if God doesn't deal wit