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by Kenneth Berding (Editor)
In this groundbreaking work, New Testament scholar Kenneth Berding suggests that we have misunderstood spiritual gifts themselves and how they function, and thus have embarked on a misplaced search to find individualized spiritual gifts. Berding reconsiders at a fundamental level what spiritual gifts are and argues that the Holy Spirit does not give personalized abilities or enablements, but rather ministries to be undertaken.
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"What Are Spiritual Gifts? is a clear and readable presentation of a subject of great importance to the church. A necessary read for anyone concerned about church structure and ministry, it goes a long way toward bringing together both Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal believers."
--Benny C. Aker, Assemblies of God Theological SeminaryMany Christians have tried to discover their spiritual gifts only to find the process frustrating and complicated. Rarely in our search do we actually ask what should be our central question: What are spiritual gifts?
Kenneth Berding believes we have misunderstood spiritual gifts, which has led to a misguided search. His convincing and readable study suggests that the Holy Spirit does not give special abilities (the conventional view), but rather calls us and places us into various ministries to build up and strengthen the body of Christ.
Beginning with a fictional "spiritual gifts" seminar, Berding addresses up front the concerns and questions readers will have about this popular topic. He then discusses the central biblical texts on spiritual gifts and explains Paul's use of key terms and the role of the Spirit.
Kenneth Berding (Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary) is associate professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, La Mirada, Calif. He is the author of Polycarp and Paul (Brill) and has extensive ministry experience both overseas and in the local church.
