The Corinthian Catastrophe [Paperback]

George E. Gardiner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1985

An outstanding exposition that contrasts scriptural principles with charismatic practices based on the experience of the church at Corinth.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Gardiner (1919-1984) was pastor of churches in Massachusetts and Ohio before he went to Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he served for thirteen years. He was a popular Bible conference speaker and author.

Product Details

• Paperback: 62 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (June 30, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825427088
• ISBN-13: 978-0825427084
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Soteriology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Short Work That Only Briefly Touches The Issues, March 30, 2007

By 

Roy Ingle "The Seeking Disciple" (Lexington, SC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Corinthian Catastrophe (Paperback)

I was given this book while I was studying my Bible in a public library by a man who, after finding out that I attended a charismatic church, said that this book would change my life. He went so far as to warn me that I was playing with the devil by being around charismatic believers. While I don't always agree with my charismatic friends, I find that the idea that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues are demonic in nature but this is a side point from the book.

The book claims to have been written by a former charismatic himself. I find that much of what he claims to have seen in charismatic churches tends to be the fringe and is far from the likes of men such as Dr. John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Joshua Harris, and Dr. Wayne Grudem (all who claim to be somewhat charismatic themselves). In fact, Gardiner spends most of his time attacking what he has seen rather than dealing with charismatic literature or theologians. The book builds one straw man after another without including any charismatic theologians such as Dr. Gordon Fee or Dr. French Arrington.

Finally, the book itself is quite dated. I believe it was written nearly 30 years ago. Most of the arguments that Gardiner posts are nothing new to those attacking the charismatic movement and I found Gardiner's illustrations from what he has seen to be nothing more than arguing from personal experience and not Scripture. There are better books from a cessasionist viewpoint than this one. Dr. John MacArthur or Dr. Richard Gaffin have both written scholarly works on the modern charismatic teachings.

In conclusion I don't recommend this book if you are a cessasionist looking for arguments against charismatic doctrines. The very title shows Gardiner's misunderstanding of charismatic theology. To call 1 Corinthians a letter written to a church that was in catastrophe over spiritual gifts is not only misleading but ignores the clear point of 1 Corinthians 12-14 (see D.A. Carson's SHOWING THE SPIRIT for a better discussion of these important chapters). I would avoid this book not out of fear of what it teaches but what it does not teach.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent apologetic on 1 Corinthians 12-14, March 27, 2001

By 

jeff weddle (Rhinelander, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Corinthian Catastrophe (Paperback)

Dr. Gardiner does a fine job explaining what Paul was talking about when he addressed spiritual gifts. Much of the confusion in the church today would be cleared up if people took the approach to Scripture that Dr. Gardiner does. THe Bible tells us it is the truth which unites and the truth can only be found in God's Word. Gardiner does a fine job bringing this truth to light. My only problem with the book is it is too brief, many topics are glossed over. Otherwise, an excellent reference tool.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book in general, lacking in a few points, August 19, 2005

By 

The Actor (Chicago) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Corinthian Catastrophe (Paperback)

This is a superb book in many respects. The author does an excellent job of making a good exegetical case and of keeping the book concise. I appreciate his perspective as a former charismatic; I myself am a former charismatic (I left the movement several years ago). I would definitly recommend this book to anyone who is considering the charismatic/cessationist debate.

My main complaint is that there were several issues I wish he had addressed more thoroughly (although, in fairness to him, this is hard to do in such a short book). Although he deals with the gift of toungues fairly thoroughly, his discussion of the gift of healing isn't quite as thorough, and he bairly discusses prophecy at all. After reading the book twice, I am still somewhat confused as to what the author considers the exact function of prophecy in the church to be. With that in mind, though, I think that the author does an excellent job in the space he has. The evidence he gives is very damaging to the charismatic perspective. In spite of a few weaknesses, I would still strongly recommend this book to everyone.