An Illustration From The Miracles Of Romanism, Christian Science And Spiritism

by G. PRASHER, JR. | Category: Miracles And Miraculous Gifts: | Apr 1952

We have now seen that there are but two sources of miraculous power of God or of the Devil. The mere proof of such power in healing or otherwise will not therefore suffice to establish that a movement is of God. By what means can the Christian judge its genuineness? Only by prayerful comparison of its teachings with the Word of God. This may be helpfully illustrated by reference to the professed healing miracles of three modern groups whose doctrines are widely different-Roman Catholicism, Christian Science and Spiritism. Each group uses such cases to advance its own cause, implying that the healing power to which it has gained access is an evidence of the truth of its doctrines.

That this conclusion is unsound must be obvious to all who have any acquaintance with the doctrines of the groups in question. For Catholicism and Christian Science both denounce the principles of Spiritism. Christian Science has rejected the basic essentials of the Roman Catholic position, such as belief in sin and the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The doctrinal foundations of the three groups are entirely different. So it is impossible that God is setting His seal to all of them by granting divine healing through their agency. Even by this simple test of three sample groups of modern miracle workers, we may be assured that at least two of them gain their power from other than heavenly sources.

Carrying our examination a little further, let us apply the principle stated at the beginning of the chapter; let us Consider the doctrines of each of these three religions in the light of God's Word.

1.The Church of Rome professes to honour the Scriptures as a divine revelation. Yet of none is it more true that "they have made void the Word of God by their tradition." The resulting doctrine is a blasphemous caricature of the simplicity of "the truth as it is in Jesus." For salvation by faith in the atoning work of the one Mediator between God and man, is substituted a complex process of human striving, with the Church and priest as an essential part of the scheme on earth, and the Virgin Mary usurping the offices of the Lord in heaven. While some truth is retained in Roman Catholic theology, it is utterly negated by the evergrowing body of human tradition. The most recent Papal Edict regarding the bodily ascension of the Virgin Mary to heaven is a typical example of the extremities to which this monstrous system has gone in adding to the Word of God. Has God condoned such a system by the questionable healings of Lourdes and elsewhere? Nay verily!

2.What Papal Councils did for Romanism, the writings of Mary Baker Eddy have done for Christian Science. Scriptures must be understood by her adherents in the light of her philosophy, notably as contained in "Science and Health with Key to Scriptures." With curious contradiction multitudes of "healings" are claimed, although theoretically disease and sin are said to be non-existent!

3.As for Spiritism, the uncompromising declaration of Isaiah 8.19-20 would in itself suffice to condemn this movement in the eyes of the devout believer.

"Should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead? To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them."

The Scriptures are said to be but secondary to the "new revelation" of modern spiritism, and the Lord Jesus Christ is blasphemously represented as the "greatest medium of all time." Yet many hapless victims have been enticed into this cult, because those teaching such doctrines have professed to demonstrate their superhuman power in the healing of disease t Others have been deceived by the apparent reception of messages from deceased friends; the truth of course being that any such messages come from evil spirits who have transmitted false messages through the spiritist medium.

So we may be unquestionably satisfied that such supernatural power as is demonstrated by any of these groups is not of God, since the doctrines for which they stand are so contrary to the revelation of His Word.

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.

With my whole heart have I sought Thee:

0 let me not wander from Thy commandments" (Psalm 1i9. 9.10).

A MORE SUBTLE PROBLEM.

The illustration given in the previous chapter brought into clear perspective the only criterion by which we can determine whether those claiming to work miracles in the Name of God and His truth are indeed doing so, or whether they are dupes of an evil power. The criterion is the written Word of God in the Holy Scriptures, without any addition of human tradition. God's Word is the acid test. If the teachings of those claiming to speak in God's Name do not accord fully with His Word, the most striking evidences of supernatural power may be discounted as of the evil one.

In applying this test to Romanism, Christian Science and Spiritism, the issues were easily resolved because the fundamental tenets of those groups are so far removed from the right understanding of the one way of salvation through faith in the atoning work of the Saviour. A much more subtle problem confronts the Christian when abnormal manifestations are experienced by those who advocate the new birth, and whose gospel preaching results in the saving of Souls. Yet the believer is charged with the responsibility of 1 John 4.1,

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God."

How can these supernatural experiences of children of God be tried? By exactly the same principles as the miraculous powers of other groups! Their doctrine must be examined to see whether it is according to the Word. If it does not meet that test, we need to be very cautious about their experiences.

The phenomenon is familiar to most Christians to-day. With many fervent "Hallelujahs" on their lips, certain evangelical miracle workers will urge upon all children of God the vital need of a special experience after salvation, described as the "baptism of the Holy Spirit." This, it is urged, will be accompanied at least temporarily by the ability to "speak in tongues," which is taken as one of the proofs of having genuinely enjoyed this experience.

It is also claimed that the miraculous gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12.8-11 have once more been bestowed by God upon those who will seek them with sufficient earnestness. Indeed, many contend that it was never the will of God to withdraw those gifts, but that after the first century or so the spiritual condition of believers waned to such an extent that they could no longer exercise the gifts. Others claim that with the near approach of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, this renewal of the exercise of the miraculous gifts is a special voice from God as the age draws to a close. Yet there are no prophecies which would require this. Indeed, the precedent of the period just before the first advent of Christ would not lead us to expect it. In any case, when a renewal of such powers is claimed, we are responsible to prove them carefully. For did not the Master say as follows?:

"Not every one that saith unto Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say unto Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out demons? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works?' And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity'" (Matthew 7.21-23).

These intensely solemn words should be considered alongside the test of spirits in 1 John 4.1-8. That test may be used in direct examination of individuals who are under the power of a spirit. For some who loudly profess the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who perform signs in His Name, may be mere professors whom He has never known.

In the following articles we shall examine in the light of the Scriptures certain prominent features of these movements which insist on the modern renewal of miraculous gifts to the believer. Let us admit right away that there can be no question about the supernatural power which characterizes these groups.

The immediate question for examination is: "Do the doctrines and practices of these groups so accord with the Word of God, that we may be absolutely assured that their experiences of miraculous power are of Divine origin?" Let us humbly seek the leading of the Spirit of God in our further study of this question!

"Remove from me the way of falsehood:

And grant me Thy law graciously.

I have chosen the way of truth:

Thy judgements have I laid before me.

I have stuck unto Thy testimonies:

0 LORD, put me not to shame" (Psalm 119.29-31).

G. PRASHER, JR. | Apr 1952
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