“Cessationists say, ‘The Holy Spirit is done! The Holy Spirit quit workin’! The Holy Spirit ain’t done nothin’ for 2,000 years!’”
I was at an event for Christian men. It was organized by a charismatic church in the town where I was serving. Since most of the men attending the event were from that same church, I assumed the speakers would talk about “Christian Man” stuff—how to be good disciples, husbands and fathers. How to lead and love well.
I was wrong—at least initially. The first message of the first speaker was a denunciation of something I believe is entirely biblical: cessationism. I’ve often wondered whether I was singled out. I’m nobody, but in that situation it was kind of a big deal that a pastor from a different church was there. I could tell by the looks I got by those doing the greeting. They were gracious and welcoming, but a little surprised I was there. But, whether or not the first speaker was shouting and stomping in my direction is a mystery I neither can nor desire to solve. All I know is that his message was loud and clear: the problem in the church today is those foolish cessationists who don’t believe in the Holy Spirit.
Before I go any further, let me make something clear: I love and respect charismatics. I was led to the Lord by charismatics. Almost every single person I’ve ever met who was part of the Charismatic Movement has been enthusiastically in love with Jesus, completely sincere in their beliefs about the Holy Spirit, and immensely kind and gracious toward me personally. In fact, the Charismatic Movement is part of a larger movement referred to as “Global Pentecostalism” that has done amazing work in advancing missions. These are my brothers and sisters in Christ, they are doing some great things in the name of Christ, and I love them dearly.
And … I want you to know that I listened. I listened carefully to that first message at the men’s event for two reasons. First, because I genuinely desire to learn. I’m still very much a work-in-progress. The more I learn, the more I discover how much I still need to learn. I’m sure I’m at least as arrogant as that first speaker was, but I’m humble enough to know that I don’t know it all. I listened because I’m genuinely curious and I’m open to learning from my critics—especially a brother in Christ.
Second, I listened to that first message because I was looking for some evidence that the speaker knew what a cessationist actually is. It would be extremely rare for a cessationist to say, “The Holy Spirit is done! The Holy Spirit quit workin’! The Holy Spirit ain’t done nothin’ for 2,000 years!” In the entire 15-20 minutes of his message devoted to the rebuke of cessationism, I did not hear anything that indicated the speaker had ever actually spoken with a cessationist or read a book that accurately presented the cessationist position. It was a classic straw-man argument. He set up a false opponent and pummeled it with countless blows.
I was disappointed. Whenever Christians disagree we need to be clear on what the other is saying. It may be satisfying to beat up a straw man, but it is not productive. In fact, it is not loving, patient or kind. It is arrogant and ignorant. It has no place in the Body of Christ. I won’t cast the first stone, however—I too have misrepresented others in the past, but I have repented and now have a clear conscience. As far as I know, all my straw men have been tossed in the dumpster.
I not only listened to the first message, but ended up staying for the entire event. After I got past that rough first night, I enjoyed myself and the fellowship of those brothers. But I never got a chance to talk with that first speaker. I’ve often imagined what I would have said if I had been given the chance to respond. Here is how that imaginary conversation goes in my head:
“Hi brother, I’m Shaun LePage.” In a gracious and welcoming way he says, “It’s great to meet you, Shaun. My name is John (not his real name)”. After a little small talk, John asks, “What did you think of my message tonight?”
“Well, John, I know we just met, but may I be honest with you?” I say.
“Of course!” John says.
“John, I want you to know that I am a … cessationist.” Before he has a chance to blush or walk away, I continue. “I don’t want to argue, but since you asked, may I answer your question honestly?”
John guardedly says, “Sure.”
“I teach and preach myself,” I continue, “and I always try to be fair and accurate when I discuss the views of those I disagree with—I’m sure you agree and want to do the same thing. So, I just want you to know that I consider you a brother in Christ, and I believe I can help you get a little clarity on the views of cessationists.
“First, cessationists believe in and love the Holy Spirit. We believe He is still very active today. Cessationists believe something has ceased, but not the Holy Spirit and His miracles—we definitely do not believe He quit working 2,000 years ago. We believe the Holy Spirit still does miraculous things. We just believe Shaun LePage doesn’t do miraculous things. In other words, we believe in the ‘cessation’ of the miraculous gifts—not of miracles. We believe the Holy Spirit ceased giving people miraculous gifts, but the Holy Spirit always has and always will have the ability to do every miraculous thing He desires to do. To be clear, the Holy Spirit can give people miraculous gifts—He can do whatever He wants. He is God! But, the question is not, ‘What can the Holy Spirit do?’ The question is, ‘What does the Holy Spirit do?’ And the answer to that question must be found in the word of God—the Bible—which the Holy Spirit Himself moved men to write.
“Second, I don’t wear the name ‘cessationist’ like a name tag. It doesn’t define me. I don’t believe it should divide us. In fact, I’ve never introduced myself in that way before. To me, ‘cessationism’ is simply a position on a biblical issue I happen to agree with—not because I grew up in a cessationist church. I didn’t. I came to that agreement after studying what the Scriptures say about miraculous gifts. I also recognize there are good arguments for the opposite view—continuationism. But I believe the cessationist view is more faithful to the Scriptures. It better answers, in my opinion, the key question, ‘Why did God give miraculous gifts to people in the first place?’”
“OOOOOOOhhhhh!” says John. “I guess I should have done a little more homework. I apologize. (Remember, this is how the conversation goes in my imagination—insert smiley face.)
John goes on, “Thank you so much for clearing that up for me. In fact, why don’t you take the next session and teach all of us what cessationism really is?” And while I’m imagining, John says, “Hey, why don’t you and your family join me and my family on our Hawaiian vacation this summer. We’ve got a huge Airbnb on Maui and eight extra plane tickets!”
All imaginary conversations aside, my real point is this: Can cessationists and continuationists get along? It’s an age-old question. I believe the answer is a resounding Yes! But it has to begin with mutual respect. And respect requires understanding. And understanding requires listening.
So, John (not his real name), if you (or any other continuationists out there) ever stumble across this post and want to talk about it, I will buy you a cup of coffee or a “smootie” from the best coffee shop in Kansas City—the Calvary University Warrior Café—and … I will listen.
