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Theological Forum

Vol. XX, No. 2 & 3, September 1992

Word and Spirit

 

From the Editor

This Theological Forum is devoted entirely to a report of the Reformed Churches of Australia called "Word and Spirit." It concerns the question whether the gift of prophecy in the church ceased with the closing of the New Testament canon or whether the Holy Spirit still bestows this gift upon believers in the church today.

The lengthy report that follows was presented to the synod of the Reformed Churches of Australia in 1991. The action of the synod is found on page 43.

The committee which submitted its findings to synod was not entirely of one mind. A minority was of the opinion that the church should declare that the gift of prophecy ceased with the closing of the canon. We think that the voice of the minority should be heard and we have therefore asked Professor Richard Gaffin, Jr. of Westminster Theological Seminary, who shares the viewpoint of the minority, to submit a response. Both positions, together with the decision of the synod, stand side by side in this Forum.

It is not a matter of indifference nor of small consequence what position one takes on the question of prophecy today. Nor does it touch an essential doctrine with which the church stands or falls. In any case it needs to be looked into.

The Reformed Churches of Australia have looked long and hard at this issue. By means of this Forum leaders in the international family of Reformed churches can profit from the work done by them.

Paul G. Schrotenboer

Editor