Processing Spiritual Experiences Today: The Validity of Spiritual Gifts by Justine Jacobsen

Processing Spiritual Experiences Today: The Validity of Spiritual Gifts by Justine Jacobsen

Religion

Whether or not the Holy Spirit is active in spiritual gifts today, or even the degree that He is active, is essential in reviving the notion and understanding of God's presence. If the Holy Spirit is moving in spiritual gifts of contemporary culture, God is not an impersonal being. The validity of spiritual gifts can be a reminder that God is moving in our lives and that this is not just restricted to biblical times. A reawakening of awareness in the Holy Spirit is important because it will impact the way Christians act and live their lives; it can bring new spiritual flourishing in society today. There is evidence that in the past century, a renewal in focus of the Holy Spirit and the gifts it supposedly bestows has captured people's interest. In my research, I address three specific areas: how the scriptures of Christianity treat the issue concerning the validity of spiritual gifts (referencing Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and Ephesians 4); while also looking at the historical development in thinking about the Holy Spirit; and, what the contemporary relevance of spiritual gifts is in the charismatic movement today. The specific spiritual gifts I will identify answers to concerning the validity issue include: the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, the spiritual gift of prophesying, and the spiritual gift of healing. I will conclude with my overall takeaway from the research and what my own personal experience with spiritual gifts has been.

Justine Jacobsen

Senior Showcase Poster presentation

Ripon College

April 17, 2018

The author reserves all rights.

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Majors: Religion and Sociology

Green Bay, Wisconsin

REL 552: Religion Senior Seminar