The relatively recent phenomenon of "Reformed Charismatism" is dangerous and divisive. Those who claim to be both Calvinistic AND Charismatic are guilty of attempting to join together two mutually exclusive positions - i.e. The canon of Scripture is complete and supremely authoritative, but further messages from God (prophecies), along with all the other "gifts of the Spirit" exercised in the days of the Apostles, are to be sought by the Church today. This school of thought, very much a part of the "new Calvinist" movement, is being promoted by such prominent teachers as John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Wayne Grudem, Matt Chandler, Sam Storms, Mark Driscoll and others. In point of fact, Charismatic Calvinism is an oxy-moron. It is impossible to hold to the scripture as a final and complete revelation from God, while continuing to insist that the "Charismata" (gifts) are to be fully expected and sought for today. It has nothing to do with what God is able to do in any age of time. It is a matter of what God has purposed to do in terms of revealing His will to men throughout the ages. The great Reformed Confessions of faith are quite clear as to the "cessation" of the "gifts" of the Spirit. The "old Calvinism" was "cessationist" in its beliefs. However, contrary to the false claims of the "continuationists" - Charismatic Calvinists included - the Reformed and Calvinistic preachers of former times were men who believed, and experienced, the power of the Holy Ghost in their ministries. The revival blessing seen by such giants of the Reformed faith as Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and Spurgeon is a testament to their Spirit-anointed ministry of the Word. Yet, each of these - and many others we could mention - were "cessationists". The so-called "gifts of the Spirit" as seen in Charismatic circles in our day - Reformed or otherwise - are spurious and unscriptural. My position in relation to these matters is further outlined in the attached interview on "Heart of the Matter" with Pastor Ralph Ovadal
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