The Best Way to Hear a Horse . . .

A Selective Bibliography for Evangelicals Seriously Considering Charismatic Theology

"Packer's Proverb, however, is that the reaction of man worketh not the righteousness of God. If you are walking backward away from something you think is a mistake, you may be right in supposing it is a mistake, but for you to be walking backward is never right. You know what happens to people who walk backward in the physical sense. Eventually they stumble over some obstacle behind them they never saw, because they fixed their minds and eyes on what they were trying to get away from, and then they fall. We are meant to walk forward, not backward, and reaction is always a matter of walking backward.
I believe the reformers' reaction against the supernatural in the lives of God's people in this age of the Holy Spirit was, frankly, more wrong than right- as have been many subsequent attempts to rule out the present-day reality of the supernatural."
J.I. Packer, The Kingdom and the Power, p. 211

The best way to hear what a horse has to say, is to listen to the horse himself! So, I offer this list of titles which I think any Evangelical truly seeking to understand Charismatic teaching ought to read and prayerfully consider. Not all will be convinced, but all will be edified.
Much poor scholarship, from both sides of this issue, has been published and popluarized- shaping the landscape of Cessationsim/Continuationsim Discussion as that of a war-zone. Reaction has characterized this discussion for far too long! It behooves any honest student, though, to hear the most responsible spokespersons for a view and then listen to the most responsible spokespersons for the opposing view rather than pitting extremist against extremist. Christian Charity does not dissolve doctrinal differences, but it does call us to listen respectfully to others to disagree. The Reformation Spirit calls us to weigh everything, even our long held views, against the Scriptures, and sometimes it takes opposition to expose error and clarify Scriptural teachings.

1. Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? edited by Wayne Grudem
2. Joy Unspeakable by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
3. The Sovereign Spirit by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
4. The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts by Sam Storms
5. The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts: Then and Now by Max Turner
6. Fire in the Fire Place by Charles Hummel
7. The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today by Wayne Grudem
8. Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere
9. God's Empowering Presence by Gordon Fee
10. Surprised by the Voice of God by Jack Deere
11. When the Spirit Comes with Power by John White
12. The Kingdom and the Power edited by Gary Greig & Kevin Springer
13. Showing the Spirit by D. A. Carson
14. Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan & Ken Wilson
15. The Word and Spirit Church by Doug Bannister

From the Cessationist viewpoint, I recommend considering the following:
1. Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? edited by Wayne Grudem
2. Perspectives on Pentacost by Richard Gaffin
3. Signs of the Apostles by Walter Chantry
4. Charismatics and the Word of God by Victor Budgen
5. A New Systematic of the Christian Faith by Robert Reymond
6. Keep in Step With the Spirit by J. I. Packer
7. Pentacost Today? by Ian Murray

If you know of other titles, which you feel simply must be included in these lists, please email me or leave it in a comment. Thank you!