CHARISMATICS "INCESSATIONIST" VIEW OF THE BIBLE: THE INCOMPLETENESS OF SCRIPTURE

The Bible is "incomplete" without the revelation knowledge of many charismatic leadership today.  Even though they claim the "backing" of the Bible; it is only said in principle, but not in practice.  The Bible according to charismatic theology is that the Revelation Knowledge of its own leadership is to shed light upon the Bible; not the Bible in light of charismatic erroneous understanding of the "canon," or rule of scripture.  There is no difference between that of the Charismatic movement doctrine of the revelation of the Bible and that of Mormonism understanding of the "revelation" of scripture (2 Pet. 1:20).  Therefore both Charismatics and Mormonism understanding of the Bible is a "continual" revelation of scripture as to be incomplete.  In so many words the Bible is an open-end Book whereby it is necessary for "further" revelations to shed light upon the character and nature of scripture.  Also, both Charismatics and the cult of Mormonism holds that of a "incessionist " view of the Bible: that God continue to "speak" through His written Word.  In so many words the "spoken" Word carry more weight than the written Word.  Not only does God "speak" through the Prophet Joseph Smith of Mormonism through the angel Moroni, but many Charismatics believe that God "continue" to give "special" revelation as to their understanding of scripture.  Scripture is complete; their is no need for any further revelation. God's Final Word is through the Person of Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-2a).  It is important to understand that of both Charismatics and Mormonism to deny the all-sufficiency of scripture is to affect all areas of doctrine and theology (Matt. 7:15-22).  It is also important to know that for anyone to add or to take away from God's Word through such "special" revelation is to incur God's divine judgment (Rev. 22:19-21).

Charismatics View of the Bible: "Progressive" Revelation

What is meant by "progressive" revelation? The answer:  That the Bible is gradually unfolding itself; that there is room for "further" revelation so as to shed light upon scripture.  Does the Bible teach such "progressive" revelation? Even though God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament in times past, but the embodiment of God's final revelation is through the Person of Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-2a).  There is no evidence in the Bible where it teach such gradual, but unfolding of God's Word so as to shed light upon the canon, or "rule" of Scripture.  If in fact scripture is "progressively" being revealed as many Charismatics will have the Church to believe than what is the basis by which we judge spiritual truth?  Is it revealed in a person's human spirit? or is it based upon the Bible alone?  The Bible admonish believers to "test" everything according to God's Word; not through a person's [human] spirit (Acts 17:11 with 1 John 4:1)

Scripture is not Manufactured by Man

According to 2 Peter 1:20 where it says, "knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's interpretation."  There are many Charismatics who claim that God have given them some "special" or "specific" revelation in their understanding of the Bible.  They will say that "God spoke" to me, "God reveal" to me what is "special" or extraordinary that which is revealed "beyond" the mere words of scripture.  It was revealed to them in their [human] spirit.  Charismatic theology teaches that of a deeper meaning of the Bible that is beyond the "mere" words of the Bible, thus it interprets the Bible through such "allegorical" methods.  Charismatic churches and its own leadership are progenitors of the schools of thought: that of Valentinism and Marcion (2 Tim. 2:17-18).  The "revelation knowledge" of Charismatic leadership is only cosmetic; not what is the content of biblical truth.  Therefore it is a "manufactured" theology that fall short of the "special" revelation of the Bible which is revealed "only" within God's written Word (2 Tim. 3:15, 16).

Charismatics Relying upon Dreams

Also according to Jude verse 8 it says, "Yet in like manner these people also, relying upon dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones." (ESV) Many Charismatics rely heavily upon dreams, and visions.  They become so co-dependent upon dreams, and visions whereby they clearly deny the authority and inspiration of the Bible.  When it comes to the "authority" and "inspiration of scripture the whole of Charismatic theology foundational beliefs is what is "revelatory:" that God speaks and continues to speak through dreams, visions, and revelation.  Thus, the "revelation" in and of itself is their source of authority; not the Bible.  Whenever Charismatics are challenged as to their "newer" revelations in defending what they believe they are not able to give a sound presentation of their own personal experience.  They will  insist the "God spoke" to them as to their profound knowledge and experience without giving a defense of such theological presupposition.  Even though many Charismatics will rely upon the Old Testament passage of scripture for example in Jeremiah 1:1 where it says, "The LORD says to me..., but it refers to Jeremiah the prophet whom God spoke to directly in order to give the message to the people of Israel.  They will also insist so as to convince people that just like God "spoke" to Jeremiah that God can speak today (Heb. 13:8), but many Charismatics fail to take into account that God spoke to the prophets in "times past."  There is no need for any prophets today since believers have God's written Word.  Jesus Christ is God's final revelation (Heb. 1:1-2a).

Charismatics Doctrinal Depravity: Defile the Flesh

Most Charismatics who promote "special" revelation of the Bible as to be given "directly" by God defile the flesh.  Doctrine and lifestyle goes hand in hand with each other. They are inseparably linked together with each other.  The adage, "Tell me what a man believe and I will tell you what he will do."  Whatever people believe is how they are going to live.  The deep doctrinal depravity of many Charismatics who depends so heavily upon dreams, visions, and revelations are sinful in their own lifestyle (Jud. 8; 2 Pet. 2:13-14).  They resort to all kinds of spiritual and immoral vice as a result of their heretical views, especially their understanding of the nature and content of scripture.  The deeper the deception concerning Charismatic leadership heretical views as to the revelation of the Bible, there is no point of return as to their own increments.  The whole of Charismatic theology is based upon sensory deprivation, hallucination, and narcissistic personality.

Charismatics Rejection of Divine Authority

Many of Charismatic churches and its own leadership who espouse such "newer" revelations reject divine authority.  They reject the God of the Bible who is Author of scripture.  They also refuse to submit unto Christ's Sovereign Rule as to place personal faith in Jesus Christ by which they reject the Giver of salvation (Rom. 6:23).  Due to their own rebellion they are always at odd with God's Word even though they claim they are God's spokesperson.  They profess to know God but in works they deny Him.  They are depraved, sinful individuals who awaits God's judgment (2 Pet. 2:1).  They receive light, but reject divine life in Christ (Jn. 3:36).  As in Hebrews 6:4-6, the Hebrew writer warns concerning professing believers, "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, v. 5: who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, but in v. 6: and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt."  Professing believers within the ranks of the Charismatic movement know enough scripture to give their life to Christ, but they refuse to cross over the threshold of faith.  They continue to make mockery of the Son of God through contempt in their refusal to accept Jesus Christ into their lives once the Holy Spirit dealt with their sinful hearts, but, they turn from the true and living God.  Therefore it is impossible to renew themselves again unto repentance by crucifying the Son of God afresh, therefore put Him to an open shame.  Charismatics place such mundane emphasis upon what is revelatory; not the Person of Jesus Christ.  The whole of Charismatic theology is its emphases upon the work of the Holy Spirit; not Person of Christ.  The defective doctrine of Charismatic theology in regards to its overemphasis of the work of the Holy Spirit, thus, they deny Christ.  The Holy Spirit witness the Person and work of Jesus Christ, thus, Christ witness to that of the coming Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26).

Charismatics Speaks Evil of Angelic Beings

In Jude 8 where its says concerning apostate individuals by saying they, "...blaspheme the glorious ones."  Even though Charismatic leadership claim to have been given such "special" revelations "directly" by God, but anytime the Bible contradict their own theology they are in opposition to the Author of scripture.  Kenneth Copeland, a Word-Faith teacher claim to have had a conversation with God, questioned the Author of the Bible, and therefore finds himself arguing with the Jesus of scripture puts himself in an awkward position.  Copeland claim to say what God says, but, Copeland puts words in God's own mouth as to say what God does not says, thus finds himself arguing with the God of the Bible.  It is apparent that many Charismatics are always arguing with the scriptures, therefore they are oppose to the clear teachings of God's Word by which seek to make the Bible be in compliance with their false doctrine of Revelation Knowledge.  False teachers speaks evil of those things they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. They will perish in Korah's rebellion (Jude 10-11).  It has always been said, "To reject the truth will be the same truth that will hang you by your neck."  Apostate teachers are rebels without a cause.  Everything that they teach are always contrary to God's Word.  They teach what is divisive; contentious.  Those who follow in their rebellion will experience the same fate of their own cultic leadership (2 Pet. 2:1-2).

Rev. Darryl L. Miller, is the founder & Lead pastor of Contending for the Faith Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also president and Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. As a pastor, evangelist, senior researcher/editor, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Copyright 2014 by Darryl Miller

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