A Critique of Cessationism’s Objections to the Supernatural Pt.3

Mayhue continues his examination of Deere’s logic with the assertion that 21st century believers do not share in the same version of the Holy Spirit that was given in the 1st century.  He assigns the guilty verdict to Deere because he assumes that the demonstration of power by the Holy Spirit was for a different purpose.  Mayhue assumes his own assumptions to be true and fails to make his case.  His reasoning takes on the appearance of philosophical/theological wisdom but does not follow with any sort of example as to what he is referring and as a result, drops a blanket statement with nothing to cover it.

He cites the following as a flawed example of Deere’s “veiled syllogistic reasoning”: (1) miracles occurred in the past and (2) Scripture nowhere says in so many words they will cease. Therefore, the miracles of the past should be expected today.  In support of his statement, he asserts that long stretches of Biblical history were absent of miracles, however, Mayhue is guilty of what Deere suggests is true of most cessationists; they engage in an argumentum ex silentio (Argument from silence).

The lack of evidence suggesting miracles does not mean that there was none.  It only means that either public or even private miraculous encounters were simply not recorded.  Norman Geisler seems to follow this same line of reasoning in Surprised by the Power of the Spirit when he suggests that Paul’s lack of documentation of miracles in the latter epistles is evidence of the closing of the canon and miracles therefore disappearing.  Deere’s response was to engage in the same argument by stating that Paul’s gift of celibacy was no longer valid because he did not write about it in those same epistles.  In sum, if the scriptures do not say something, one cannot argue from what is not said, only what is said.

As for Mayhue’s claim that miracles did not extend past the era of the 1st century apostles, this is almost ludicrous.  Deere sites a whole host of history from the Scots Worthies Reformation, not to mention the vast amount of miracles that 21st century believers have encountered.  Dallas Willard, professor of Philosophy at USC, cites in his book, The Divine Conspiracy, that Indian born Sundar Singh received a visitation from Christ when he prayed, “Oh God, if there be a God, show me the right way, and I will become a Sadhu [holy man]; otherwise I will kill myself.” (p.72)  Willard continued to describe what happened next, “Continuing to pray, he suddenly saw before him a glorious face filled with love.  At first he thought it was Buddha or Krishna or some other deity.  But a voice in Hindustani said, “How long will you persecute me?  Remember, I died for you; I gave my life for you.”

“Seeing the scars on his body, Sundar Singh recognized Jesus and saw that he was alive, not someone who died centuries ago.  He fell at his feet and accepted him as master and worshiped him.  Afterward he became a world famous example for God’s life present among human beings.”  This is only one of many examples that indicate that miracles are still in effect.  Scripture is always the measuring stick by which we measure our experiences, not the other way around.  The Scriptures verify the truth of our experiences.

The kinds of miracles God performed in the past are a means and not the end towards knowing the God we serve.  Mayhue assumes that God must not continue to guide believers today because they somehow needed the guidance in the 1st century.  This in itself is a strange philosophical concept: The 1st century witnesses of Christ needed more guidance than contemporary believers.  One could make the argument that because thousands of years separate contemporary believers from Christ, that we might need him more.  In addition to this, it is bizarre to assume, as Mayhue does, that contemporary believers would never have a need for divine assistance, as for instance, Mary and Joseph did when Joseph was given a dream to flee Bethlehem.  The same dangers are present today and as is the case with Sundar Singh, God still intervenes.  To dismiss such claims, one would have to conclude that testimonies such as Singh and others are on the level with a madman or a liar.  I am unwilling to draw such conclusions.

This is the end of the third installment in this series. The entire reading of Mayhue’s Alarmed by the Voice of Jack Deere can be found here (after clicking, click refresh button).

**Free e-mail subscription**

**If this article has been a blessing to you, please take a moment and share with others. Thank you.**