Understanding Spiritual Gifts: A Comprehensive Guide

Reviewed by:

G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

Understanding Spiritual Gifts: A Comprehensive Guide

Author:

Sam Storms

Publisher:

Zondervan Reflective

Publication Date:

September 1, 2020

Format:

Paperback

Length:

336 pages

OVERVIEW

For many, spiritual gifts is a dubious topic. Some view the spiritual gifts as abilities that the apostle’s generation had, abilities which disappeared afterward (the cessationist perspective). Others argue that in fact the spiritual gifts still exist today in various forms (the continuationist perspective). Sam Storms looks at the common cessationist arguments, showing their downsides and claiming that in fact spiritual gifts are still active today. Having made his case against a cessationist view, Storms considers what the Bible says about various spiritual gifts, including:

• Words of Wisdom and Knowledge
• The Gift of Prophecy
• Speaking in Tongues
• Gifts of Faith and Healing
• The position of Apostleship

Storms also considers a variety of important questions related to the topic, such as “Does God give spiritual gifts to non-Christians?” and “Are there apostles in the church today?”

Storms uses many sources to back up his arguments that the spiritual gifts continue to exist, building his case carefully and efficiently. His exploration of each of the spiritual gifts is equally well-researched, setting aside many misconceptions and focusing on what the Bible actually tells us about them. Some of his arguments (such as his thoughts on apostleship) may not be entirely airtight, but even then he still leaves readers with lots to think about.

A great overview of spiritual gifts from a scholarly perspective.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

4 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians interested in a continuationist perspective on spiritual gifts.

Christian Impact

Storms combines Biblical references, historical Christian documents and contemporary research to make his arguments.

Note: Readers looking for a similar perspective on spiritual gifts that describes a personal experience of going from a cessationist to a continuationist perspective may enjoy Jack Deere’s book Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Holy Spirit. To read ECLA’s review of that book, go to:

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