Book Review: Spiritual Gifts by Thomas R. Schreiner

Spiritual gifts are one issue that Christians will mostly agree and disagree on. There is one movement that has claimed the Apostolic gifts, such as speaking in tongues and healing, have ceased, which is called cessationism. Then there is the other camp that believes they are still among the believers, which are called continualists. There have been books written from both sides of this argument, two of which I have reviewed. Spiritual Gifts by Thomas Schreiner is another book on the side of cessationism.

Before he dives into spiritual gifts, Schreiner addresses the strengths and weaknesses of the Charismatic movement. I thought it was odd at first to address this issue but Schreiner does indeed mentioned the positives that came out of the Charismatic movement, which most Christians would not deny. He then deals with basic truths about spiritual gifts while addressing the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is one thing, among others, the Charismatic movement and other Christians, have gotten wrong.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not where we ask the Spirit to come on us and gives us tongues to speak or the Spirit comes on a believer who starts speaking in tongues. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is when the Spirit comes into a believer at the moment of conversion. The Spirit also gives us a gift to be used in service in the body of Christ which most believers agree on.

Schreiner answers some basic questions regarding spiritual gifts. Remember he is coming from a cessationalist point of view, so those in the continualist front will disagree with some of Schreiner's conclusions. Speaking of conclusions, Schreiner ends his book with an argument for cessationism which he did say this is what this book was all about. I did appreciate what he said about miracles. Cessationism does not mean that miracles don't happen. Schreiner confesses that he still prays from miracles. It also does not mean that prayers for healing cease as well. The gift of healing is when someone places their hands on someone to be healed. Cessationists believe that gift has ended after the Apostles.

Schreiner is a gifted New Testament scholar is worth the time to read his books and listen to his lectures when you get the chance. This book is another good read for those who want to dive into Spiritual Gifts whether you are a cessationalist or not.

Thanks B&H Publishing Group for letting me review this book.