OK, so SGI have a Reformed soteriology. But they’re in the US. Where are the British Reformed charismatics?

NFI has been mentioned, but where is the evidence that they are Reformed?

In Christ,

James.

Chris Hillcoat - 28 August 2006 07:55 PM

I didn’t think that Affinity was a cessationist organisation!

It isn’t, but some members are cessationist- Like me!

In any case, while some Sovereign Grace churches do practice spiritual gifts openly (see this blog post for some details) others do not commonly do so. Nowt wrong with a reformed charismatic!

I think it depends upon the balance.  How charismatic?  How Reformed?  In respect of Mr Mahoney and his organization, it was his pretension to apostleship that concerned me, not his charismatic stance.  However I do have respect for the other three gents involved, and if they are happy with Mr Mahoney, who am I to contradict?  No way would I join one of his churches though......

Steve

I know of increasingly many British Reformed continuationists (many of whom wouldn’t be happy with the label ‘charismatic’ for its implication of 2nd baptism/blessing/etc.) but not denominational structures such as SGI.  Newfrontiers is generally reformed, but not necessarily - it’s a grouping formed more by relationship than confession - hence the lack of doctrinal statement on the website.  They trust that those who’d want to join with them, recognising their distinctives (charismatic, generally reformed) would hold those.  To a large extent therefore it seems held in its distinctives by Terry Virgo, who has a strong leadership of encouraging faithful Bible teaching.  I’m inclined to think they need to come to a more confessional stance though, for the future if nothing else.  But as someone mentioned before in this thread, some of our churches have rather slender doctrinal bases themselves (e.g. FIEC).

I am now 22 (23 on Sunday). When I was in a church youth group I went to Soul Survivor festivals six times (1996-2001).

I have recently noticed Mike Pilavachi’s endorsements on two books
1) Christian Beliefs - a very condensed version of Wayne Grudem’s systematic theology (this is also endorsed by Terry Virgo, who also is on the back cover of Systematic Theology
http://www.ivpbooks.com/product/1844740889.htm

2) Pierced for our transgressions - a new book written to defend penal substitution
http://piercedforourtransgressions.com/content/view/26/40/

I think some of the music people from Soul Survivor (Matt Redman and Tim Hughes) have been involved in the Passion conferences in the USA at which John Piper is a main speaker.

It has been over 5 years since I had any real contact with Soul Survivor, but I would be encouraged if Christian Beliefs and Pierced for our Transgressions are the sort of books that are being recommended to young people at their festivals. I am not saying Soul Survivor has become Reformed, but maybe there are some good signs.

Happy Birthday, Ben! 

You’re right, I’m not sure if Soul Survivor has ‘moved’ (not hailing from England I haven’t been), but certainly Mike Pilavachi has moved in the direction of endorsing those books. I’m told he has kid(s) in CUs rather than Fusion & UCCF have had a stand recently at Soul Survivor.  As for songwriters of Soul Survivor, Matt Redman has also matured in his view of worship & songwriting, by recent interviews.  It’s hard to grow / develop when you’re in the spotlight / leadership early, and admit previous mistakes, so praise God for his grace evident in these guys and do pray for them in their roles of influence.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. Thanks to Facebook, several of the other students at church knew about my birthday without me telling them.