For the glory of God, absolutely yes!!!! During Sunday’s meeting concerning Wellspring’s continual pursuit of denominational affiliation with Sovereign Grace, the question of the continuation of the spiritual gifts was the predominant topic.  In a church like ours where we have those who are influenced by John Macarthur and Masters Seminary and those who are conservative continuationists (like myself), it can be quite a challenge to eye to eye on such things. But it is extremely heartening to see men like C. J. Mahaney, Wayne Grudem, and John Piper (conservative continuationsist) and men like John Macarthur and Ligon Duncan (conservative cessationists) come together for the Gospel. I must say that what is most telling is their passion to work together for the glory of the Gospel.
Nathan Busenitz article does an excellent job writing from a Grace Church (John Macarthur’s church) perspective that reveals just how can these two distinct groups work together for such conferences as Together for the Gospel. He writes that if you see the ministry of cooperation into different layers, you can certainly work together, with the core issues (C. J.’s “keep the main thing the main thing�) in common.  This essay obviously leans more towards a Macarthur perspective, but it does teach us that even the author of Charismatic Chaos might not find all charismatics chaotic.
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I thought his article highlighted the importance of maintaining unity in the primary matters (i.e. the Gospel), and not allowing secondary matters to bring division. I remember a quote that PSteve shared but can’t quite remember it.
Definitely an encouraging sign!
Posted by Hamster | April 26, 2006, 3:00 pmI do not remember that quote. Sorry Hamster.
Posted by admin | April 26, 2006, 3:01 pmi totally agree…considering the agreement between these two groups about the centrality of the Gospel, it’s about time that people focused on the similarities that matter as opposed to the differences that may have some life implications, but not on soteriology. Right now as we speak, at the Together for the Gospel conference in Kentucky, they are making those bridges stronger (i hope)….can u imagine if these guys (piper, mahaney, devers, macarthur, duncan, etc.) actually worked together on something so grand? whoa….
Posted by Pochax | April 27, 2006, 9:12 amWell, the great thing is, JOhn, is that they are. And that, my friend is a wonderful thing!
Posted by admin | April 27, 2006, 11:45 am