I’m studying Pentecostal Pneumatology at the moment and came across some interesting ideas by David Lim in one of this week’s readings. This is the first one about gifts of the Spirit and is great to introduce the idea.
“There are various views on the nature of the gifts of the Spirit.
One view sees the gifts as natural abilities. For example, a singer has the gift of music or a physician (via medical science) has the gift of healing. But human talent alone can never change the world.
Another view sees gifts as totally supernatural. This view denies human involvement, saying the Spirit bypasses the mind. It sees the flesh as being evil and capable of only distortion. A danger here is that few will have the courage to exercise the gifts. Most will feel unworthy, viewing the gifts as mystical or beyond their comprehension. They will fear making a mistake. However, sharing a gift is no proof of holiness or of spiritual attainment.
A third view is biblical: The gifts are incarnational. That is to say, God works through humans. Believers submit their minds, hearts, souls, and strength to God. They consciously, willingly surrender their all to Him. The Spirit supernaturally enables them to minister beyond their abilities, at the same time expressing each gift through their life experience, character, personality, and vocabulary. The gifts manifested need to be evaluated. That in no way lessens their effectiveness, but rather allows the congregation to test their biblical truth and edification value.”
David Lim, “Spiritual Gifts,” in Systematic Theology: Revised Edition, ed. Stanley M. Horton (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2007), 461–462. Logos software edition.