The Nature And Purpose Of The Charismata -- By: Wilber G. Putman

Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 04:1 (NA 1958)
Article: The Nature And Purpose Of The Charismata
Author: Wilber G. Putman


The Nature And Purpose Of The Charismata

Wilber G. Putman

There have been many divergent evaluations of the nature and purpose of the charismata, or spiritual gifts, which occupy such a prominent place in the life of the early Church. From the various incomplete lists of charismata which are given in the New Testament (Rom. 12:6-8; I Cor. 12:4-11, 28-30; cf. Eph. 4:7-12) it is evident that their number, variety and diffusion were considerable. Yet each gift had its source in the effectual working of the Holy Spirit and was intended to edify the Body of Christ.

Liberal theologians have been prone to deny the miraculous character of the charismata, and represented them as the natural manifestations of primitive enthusiasm1. By the end of the second century this spirit of enthusiasm gave way to ‘a more rigid and disciplined Church Order, in which the official tended more and more to supersede the charismatic ministries’2.’ The spiritual gifts began to disappear, but, being the product of an abnorrnal mental state, were liable to emerge under similar conditions in later religious revivals3. Certain gifts, such as prophecy and glossolalia, were largely regarded as particular manifestations of familiar phenomena of the Hellenistic age.4

By way of contrast, the Roman Catholic theologians have acknowledged the divine origin of the charismata, and have gone on to affirm the permanence of certain gifts in the Church, notably the miracles of healing and other miraculous powers. Support for this general point of view has come from the opposite wing of the Church, where the Elim movement has laid claim to the continuing reality of the powers of miraculous healing and the gift of tongues. In recent years there has been a widespread revival of interest in healing in every branch of the Church and attempts are being made to restore the gift of healing, which was lost (so it is said) as a result of a decline in faith and spirituality, and a growth of asceticism, about the time of the conversion of Constantine in AD 325.5 Similar reasons are often given for the decline of prophecy at a somewhat earlier date, though there have not been wanting those who have said that neither prophecy nor healing have entirely ceased in the history of the Church.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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