I hate labels, I think they're devisive and that most people can't be honestly described by them. Cessationalists, pre-millenist, Calvinist oy vey. But that's what people like. So as Easter winds down on the US west coast, I'm going to offer up a new one.
Functionalism. Functional Christianity.
As a Functionalist, we believe that if God tells us we are to cast out demons, we should function at a level that enables us to cast out demons. If Jesus tells us to heal the sick, we should function with the ability to bring healing to the sick. If Paul tells us to speak responsibly in tongues and prophesy, we should function with the freedom to speak in tongues and prophesy. If the Bible warns that spiritual warfare will increase in the end, then we should function in a manner that empowers us to commit spiritual warfare.
But if we proclaim that God is all powerful, and then take away His power by adding not here, not now, not these, not us, then we limit the Holy Spirit’s functionality to bear fruit in us as Jesus intends.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and we are called to function in His love and power which never ceases or takes pause.
Functionalism. Functional Christianity.
As a Functionalist, we believe that if God tells us we are to cast out demons, we should function at a level that enables us to cast out demons. If Jesus tells us to heal the sick, we should function with the ability to bring healing to the sick. If Paul tells us to speak responsibly in tongues and prophesy, we should function with the freedom to speak in tongues and prophesy. If the Bible warns that spiritual warfare will increase in the end, then we should function in a manner that empowers us to commit spiritual warfare.
But if we proclaim that God is all powerful, and then take away His power by adding not here, not now, not these, not us, then we limit the Holy Spirit’s functionality to bear fruit in us as Jesus intends.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and we are called to function in His love and power which never ceases or takes pause.