Spirit Works: Charismatic Practices and the Bible by Jerry Vines

It is not fashionable these days in evangelical circles to question the practices of popular charismatic personalities. Apparently Jerry Vines has place biblical truth above human popularity. As a companion to Vine's other work, Spirit Life, this is a most needed book for our day.

Through sixteen chapters Jerry Vines deals with a number of subjects. Part One (Foundations) covers the doctrinal basics of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Two important topics are dealt with in this section. First is the matter of the Bible itself. Vines reminds us of the basics of Biblical interpretation and the kind of fruit the Holy Spirit produces.

Part Two (Manifestations) seeks to examine the gamut of manifestations being seen in the modern church. The book is worth its price for the first chapter in this section. Here Vines explains the ways God manifested Himself biblically. On page seventy we are given a modern update to Jonathan Edward's tests for true Biblical experiences. These five tests should be posted in the foyer of every church that claims to be seeking to follow God and His Word!

Manifestations examined in Part Two include: tongues, dancing in the Spirit, the laughing revival, animal sounds, and other experiences that have found their way into the modern church.

Part Three (Exhortations) helps us to understand the proper place of emotions in worship and evangelism.

This is as fair and balanced a work as one could hope for on the subject. Vines pulls no punches when it comes to what he considers unbiblical and unethical practices. At the same time, he notes there are differences of opinion within the charismatic movement. Men like John Wimber have repudiated some of the more outlandish practices such as the making of animal sounds in worship services.

Vines reminds us to show Christian charity to each other. We need to learn from each other as well. Forms of worship are not the main issue. Adherence to the Word of God and the Spirit of God are.

Spirit Works: Charismatic Practices and the Bible (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), paper 231 pages.

Jerry Vines is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida.