Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 01:1 (Apr 1997)
Article: Article & Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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CTJ 1:1 (April 1997) p. 85

Article & Book Reviews

By the faculty of Tyndale Biblical Institute & Theological Seminary
Mal Couch, Editor

The Gospel and Contemporary Perspectives, Vol. 2: Biblical Forum Series by Douglas Moo, gen. ed., Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997, 202 pp., paperback, $11.99

This 202-page paperback is Volume 2 of the Biblical Forum Series, Viewpoints from Trinity Journal, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Moo and associates in this volume look at issues directly related to the presentation of the Gospel and how it is perceived in the world. Three articles confront head-on the hardcore charismatic issue. The titles are: “Enjoying God Forever,” “Divine Healing in the Health and Wealth Gospel,” and, “The Gospel of Greed versus the Gospel of the Grace of God.”

“In Enjoying God Forever,” Dennis Hollinger points out that three main themes drive the health and prosperity movement today: healing, prosperity and positive confession. These are highly significant issues for the faith preachers. As well, these issues fuel the controversy in terms of biblically understanding whether these are truly part of the work of the church today.

It is Kenneth Copeland who so strongly draws upon Deuteronomy 28 to prove we have the blessing promises for today. Confusion abounds at this point, because Deuteronomy 28 is not the Abrahamic Covenant but is part of the blessing and curse of the Mosaic Law. The prosperity teachers confuse this with what they see as blessing in the Abrahamic Covenant.

Hollinger is fair in showing the historic development of the movement in dealing with the healing revivalism of E.W. Kenyon and others, as mentioned in McConnell’s classic work, A Different Gospel. He editorializes when he writes, “My own conclusion, however, is that we cannot minimize the role of the healing revivalist tradition.” In this whole discussion of the Neo-Pentecostal issue, the question is not how generous we may feel toward it but whether what is coming forth is biblical or not.

CTJ 1:1 (April 1997) p. 86

Toward the end of the article, Hollinger brings out the noteworthy issue: “One can only speculate what would happen to the movement if promises of prosperity and health were suddenly removed.” He concludes rightly, by pointing out, that this present movement is a sociological reflection of American positivism and prosperity. What will happen to the charismatic energy if this nation goes into a material depression? More than likely the movement would die quickly.

On “Divine Healing …”, Douglas M...

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