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Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians, 12-14

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I do not always agree with D.A. Carson (although I mostly do), but I always admire and appreciate him. He is a true scholar who tempers his great mind with a heart for God.

Dr. Carson has written a masterpiece! This volume is an intelligent and definitive grappling with a passage that focuses upon spiritual gifts: I Corinthians 12-14.

He devastates the non-charismatic viewpoint that claims the Bible teaches that tongues would end of themselves upon the completion of the New Testament canon or at the end of the apostolic age. He fortifies (unintentionally) the view of non-charismatics who say, "God can give the gift of tongues today. But we do not see the real thing, so He must not be doing that right now." Although he strains to conclude otherwise, this is where his evidence could easily lead. His actual conclusion is that the gift of tongues is being given today, but not meant for all and not intended to be the believer's focus.

Carson likewise corrects common charismatic abuses by proving the following: (1) every true believer has been baptized in the Spirit, (2) there is no one gift possessed by every believer, but we should seek prophecy over tongues, (3) it is not God's will for all believers to be healed, but God can and does heal miraculously as He pleases.

Carson's exegesis is reasonable, respectful, well-informed, scholarly to the nth degree, clearly delineated and thoroughly documented. Although he addresses the entire text, he particularly focuses upon two of the most controversial spiritual gifts: tongues and prophecy. His views regarding prophecy are about the same as Wayne Grudem's: New Testament prophets do not bear the authority of Old Testament prophets (rather, New Testament authority is vested in the Apostles). Prophecy is God bringing something to mind, and the prophet may mix his own thoughts and thus muddy the prophecy. Unlike OT prophets who were labeled as true of false, in the NT, individual prophecies are to be weighed. There is much to commend this view.

His work on tongues is more exhaustive (but still not complete-see my list of unanswered questions below). He points out that repeated evaluation by linguists have shown that tongues are not human languages. He argues that some legitimate tongues may be coded languages or patterns (for example, a language with its vowels omitted). This is somewhat questionable, though possible (since apparently there has never been a study conducted by expert code-breakers).

What is most fascinating is his conclusion that no verifiable correct interpretations of tongues have been made. Although thorough tests have not been done, Carson mentions a friend who recorded a recitation of a passage in Greek and presented the tape to two individuals claiming the gift of interpretation. They presented interpretations that differed from one another and had nothing to do with the text. He writes, "I know of no major work that has researched hundreds or thousands of examples; but it could be a very revealing study."

But based on this and other similar accounts, we might conclude that if God is not (to the best of our knowledge) truly giving the gift of interpretation, then tongues are not for use in church meetings (where interpretation is demanded). In essence, tongues at this point are limited to private use and personal edification.

Although pensive and thorough, Carson has still left a number of unanswered questions, including: (1) How do the tongues seen in evangelical charismatic assemblies vary from those seen in Hindu, Mormon, or Animistic groupings? (2) Can every human being, saved or not, speak in ecstatic utterances? If so, is this the basis for Biblical tongues (since lost people can often teach and yet we find a New Testament gift of teaching, etc.)? (3) If Christian tongues were not qualitatively different from tongues-speakers in non-Christian religions, then are they really miraculous? (4) Should we allow people to speak in tongues, if interpreted, even though the evidence we do have seems to indicate that the gift of interpretation may not exist in our time or in our country? (5) What about the possibility that some of these gifts are distributed more where the Gospel is being established (as opposed to where the church has been embedded)? Is there evidence to commend or reject this theory? Is it possible that the reportedly high level of miracles in Indonesia is an example of this?

This book is not written at a popular level, but challenges the mind. Pastors and theologians will find it stimulating (and it really is not difficult to understand), but its style, vocabulary, evaluations and refutations may be a stretch for the dedicated laymen.

I love books like this!

D.A. Carson has written the best book I've seen on the issues that arise in I Corinthians 12-14. There's a reason everyone refers to this book as the first place to look on these topics. He puts the widely misapplied "love" chapter (I Cor. 13) in its context -- spiritual gifts and order in worship. This is the centerpiece of his incisive analysis. From that viewpoint, noting Paul's emphasis on love, Carson details the reasons Paul said what he said and reconstructs the situations in the Corinthian church to which he was responding. He looks at contemporary views of tongues, prophecy, and other "charismatic" issues, placing them all in the proper perspective of the NT community worship in the Corinthian church, countering many extreme views on both sides of the issue. He shows how there's no Biblical basis for cessation of any gifts, yet most of these gifts are just vastly misunderstood and misused throughout many Pentecostal and charismatic churches. This is the most balanced work I've seen on the topic, and I recommend it to those from both sides of the issue who are willing to look seriously into the issue to see if what they've been taught is correct. If you're not willing to do so, you're probably being intellectually dishonest, so go ahead and read this book. It definitely repays the effort.

Carson is one of the most respected theologians in the world today. Though more conservative than charismatic, in this book he writes almost like a biblical charismatic.

This book is a must for all charismatics interested to study 1 Corinthians 12-14 - a passage that is much disputed and which concerns charismatic issues.

Carson holds to a non-cessationistic view in this book. He also accepts Wayne Grudem's view of prophecy.

I particularly liked the way he handled tongues prophecy in his exposition on 1 Corinthians 14 - all charismatics need to read Carson on tongues here. He agrees that tongues are still given but he wants to see it used properly according to biblical stipulations.

His fifth and last chapter states some of his views on things like Baptism of the Spirit, 2nd blessing theology, revelation, historical evidence and also his review of the charismatic movement - which he comes out very positive.

Overall an excellent book that both conservatives and charismatics can learn from. Very balanced!

Carson's book is relatively short at less than 200 pages, but it offers an excellent exegesis of 1 Corinthians 12-14. He draws on the best of recent scholarship, and is thorough in covering the major issues. Even if you disagree with his conclusions, he will prove helpful in highlighting questions and points of debate pertinent to the interpretation of perhaps one of the most controversial parts of the New Testament.

The author is neither a cessationist nor a charismatic with an axe to grind, and deals with the text fairly even-handedly. As a quasi-appendix (though it is actually probably a third of the book), he addresses a few relevant hermeneutical issues in relation to the book of Acts, and offers some pastoral reflections on the charismatic movement. Overall, Showing the Spirit is a comprehensive, yet succinct, introduction to the main exegetical issues in the chapters it addresses, and a number of great insights are to be found within its pages.

Incidentally, you could probably find a cheaper edition somewhere (my copy, published by Paternoster, UK, cost me less than £5 new just a few years ago).

This is a wee gem of a book. Combines detailed exegesis of this contested passage with balanced, measured theological reflection. A model of serious biblical exposition. However, this book is over 10 years old. Also, Carson does not hide his mildly Calvinistic Baptist leanings. I would now supplement this book with the more recent commentaries of Gordon Fee, Richard Hays and Craig Blomberg on 1 Corinthians (especially Fee and Hays), not only because they are more recent, but also because they offer different perspectives on this contested piece of Scripture.

Carson's book is relatively short at less than 200 pages, but it offers an excellent exegesis of 1 Corinthians 12-14. He draws on the best of recent scholarship, and is thorough in covering the major issues. Even if you disagree with his conclusions, he will prove helpful in highlighting questions and points of debate pertinent to the interpretation of perhaps one of the most controversial parts of the New Testament.

The author is neither a cessationist nor a charismatic with an axe to grind, and deals with the text fairly even-handedly. As a quasi-appendix (though it is actually probably a third of the book), he addresses a few relevant hermeneutical issues in relation to the book of Acts, and offers some pastoral reflections on the charismatic movement. Overall, Showing the Spirit is a comprehensive, yet succinct, introduction to the main exegetical issues in the chapters it addresses, and a number of great insights are to be found within its pages.

Incidentally, you could probably find a cheaper edition somewhere (my copy, published by Paternoster, UK, cost me less than £5 new just a few years ago).

My respect for D.A. Carson increases with each book of his I read. I admire his courage in tackling one of the most controversial portions of Scripture. While many have attempted this (see the massive bibliography), I can't imagine a more thorough academic (yet also spiritual) approach. Here is one who deeply cares about the truth and how it affects people; also how some interpretations can be damaging. The debate on gifts will continue till the End of Days, but this book should have a profound impact on the thinking of any who read it carefully. I would add that anyone wishing to do a study of I Corinthians should add this to their list, even though it covers only three chapters.

Be forewarned, while I very much appreciate Carson's works this is not exactly an exposition of I Cor. 12-14, but more of a review of Wayne Grudem's position on cessationism vs. non-cessasionism. It is also not an easy read. This is partly due to the preliminary reading of Grudem that must take place before this book is read. However, don't let this review scare you off. This is a solid and thoughtful study, just be ready to work.

One of the many great qualities of this book is Carson's sharing pastoral insights about preserving church unity in the face of controversy over such things as charismatic teaching and practice.

It is a most helpful exegesis of a controversial part of the New Testament. Everyone will find something to disagree with here, but will also find much sane guidance.

Highly recommended

As stated before D.A. Carson has a great gift of cutting through the rubbish and taking us to God's word. If you have struggles with issues relating to the charismatic movement and are unsure of what the Bible says regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit, then read this book. Carson is a good biblical guide in an area were we need the light of the word to guide us.