Try the Spirits: A Reformed Look at Pentecostalism
David Engelsma examines Pentecostalism from a Reformed perspective, arguing that its claims to special revelations and miraculous gifts must be tested against Scripture as the standard. Drawing on the historical example of 16th-century Reformation-era enthusiasts, Engelsma defends the Reformed approach to evaluating spiritual movements by their fidelity to biblical doctrine rather than experiential claims.
Introduction An examination, from the viewpoint of the Reformed faith, of the religious movement known as Pentecostalism is in order. For Pentecostalism makes inroads into Reformed churches. Some hold that the Reformed faith and Pentecostalism are harmonious; others claim that Pentecostalism is the completion of the Reformation in our time; others openly proclaim that the Pentecostal religion replaces the historic Reformed faith. To conduct this examination is legitimate. It is common that...