letters.htm

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Subject: Web site
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 15:09:01 +0000
From: Steven Bradfute
Organization: Baylor College of Medicine
To: bunk@crcwnet.com

Great idea. Keep up the good work! I think Christians need to be challenged to not only reconsider why they believe what they claim to believe, but also to learn to speak the truth in love and learn to only give emphasis to a view or doctrine to the extent the Scripture does. Bravo.

Jesus bless you,
David Stewart

From: JackJoe123@aol.com
To: bunk@crcwnet.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 10:12 AM
Subject: November Article:

Larry
Raised as I was in a community that featured United Protestant churches, and not specifically denominational churches (the Methodist church in town was also the second largest Presbyterian church in the entire region), much of what you said in your November article was self-evident to me. What I wanted to know was what the issues are which need to be rethought or examined.

Presumably that is the next article. From my perspective in the trenches, without being exposed to much Pentecostal literature the biggest issue which affects people is the concept of Total Glossalia, the idea that everyone should speak in tongues. Obviously there are many more issues subject to question but I do not know what they are.
Joe Jackson

Editor's Response:
Hello Joe!

Great to hear from you.
You are correct in observing that our "initial evidence" doctrine is a big issue, for us Pentecostals as well as the rest of the church. Back in 1912, when the Assemblies of God was founded, there was a serious debate on this issue. It could have gone either way, but as we know, those folks who advocated the notion that speaking in tongues was the primary indicator of Spirit Baptism won the day. The leader of the other faction was invited to leave, which he did. He spent the rest of his ministry with the Christian Missionary Alliance.

So, we are strapped with a doctrine that is poorly stated and difficult to defend. From my perspective this is the major area of rethinking for the Pentecostal movement. The apostle Paul definitely affirms that the primary evidence is ethical and not charismatic; agape active in one's life is the ultimate evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. I believe that no other indicator can stand in its place.

Our task: Rethinking the doctrine from an evangelical point of view, using the evangelical hermenuetical paradigm. The doctirne must conform to the word, therefore, we must adjust our position, if the study/reflection process demands that we do so. Be it a tweaking of the statement or a reformation of the idea.

This is inevitable, however, it may be years down the pike before the movement has matured to the point that it can feel safe in such a task.

Please stay in touch and continue to visit the journal on the web.

Peace in Him!

Larry Newman

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