School of Supernatural Ministry/modern charismatic teaching

[Valerie Schuetze]

I was actually looking around for some input regarding the School of Supernatural Ministry out of Redding Ca.  I live in a smallish town and the local Healing Room is bringing in this year long school (they have a book list of 29 books, some of the authors, to me were very questionable or somewhat so)  I find that I like some of what Bill Johnson says, but compared to some of the really outlandish people out there, his ministry seems to have a good amount of somewhat confusing mixture.  I would love to see some of the error in some charismatic ministries articulated someplace.  I am looking for good sound biblical understanding in these crazy days we live in.  I love the word of God....I find that morally there are lines that are crossed that raise red flags for me, as well as theological issues, but it is so mixed up!  Any help would be appreciated.  I do believe that God speaks today by His Holy Spirit and I believe in the gifts of the Spirit, but it has become kind of crazy and confusing.  I am not enrolled in this school but many of the people I know are going to it.  I find it hard to explain why I am not into it.  Can anyone shed some light on this?

[bob johnson]

If you think you have to go to a school to learn a "gift", then it is not a gift from God, but a badge that you can wear to boost your pride and t6hen you can walk around boasting in some gibberish you learned in the 29 books.

[Marv]

What a gracious and rational comment.

bob johnson said:

If you think you have to go to a school to learn a "gift", then it is not a gift from God, but a badge that you can wear to boost your pride and t6hen you can walk around boasting in some gibberish you learned in the 29 books.

[Jack]

Valerie; St.Paul wrote that the Holy Spirit distributes gifts, severally, as He pleases, to every believer, for the building up of the body of Christ. I believe that He still distributes gifts to every believer, for the edification of the church. And, most certainly, these are not all miraculous, attention getting, sign gifts.

Valerie Schuetze said:

Of the material they are given to read, none is based on classical Christian understanding.  I find that they say *good things* to back up questionable practice such as reinstating someone like Todd Bentley to ministry from an adulterous affair.  There is often a lack of reverence, a lack of holiness...self named apostles, prophets, the Third Wave thing, angels, voluntary visits to heaven etc......I see good things mixed with some very bad things, and for those who are less informed in the scriptures, who can be swayed by a lot of noise and excitement, a fair bit of danger.  Sadly few who believe in the gifts today seem to be on sound biblical footing....but I wouldn't trade what I have known of God moving by His Spirit for an outlook that denies the gifts because of the crazy stuff. I find it difficult to put into words exactly why I feel that this kind of emphasis is not on track, and really wish I could.  I have only seen small bits of these ministries on line but that has been enough for me.

[Valerie Schuetze]

I'm in total agreement, Jack..