Counterfeit Miracles

With brilliant academic precision BB Warfield starts out his discourse by challenging the unhistorical assertions held by the mass-media-marketing segment of Christianity. The cause of much criticism, and praise, this work has remained the bastion of cessationism. Christianity has been historically involved in a web of deceit and the words and deeds recorded in church history have been evidence of the very opposite of the authentic words recorded in Scripture. Criticism of religion on theological and philosophical but especially historical grounds is of the utmost importance in the pursuit of truth. 'The wonder-tale strikes but one note and has as its single end to arouse astonishment. It will be readily understood that the wonder-tale - the motives of the traveling prophet or philosopher having being fairly worked out - should eagerly seize on the new material offered it by Christianity. But the matter did not end by its seizing upon Christianity. Christianity turned the tables on it and seized upon it. With its passage thus into Christian hands this literary form has lost none of its marvel-mongery.' pg 19 'Miracles', Warfield wrote, 'do not appear on the pages of Scripture vagrantly, here, there, and elsewhere indifferently, without assignable reason. They belong to revelation periods, and appear only when God is speaking to His people through accredited messengers, declaring His gracious purposes.' pgs 25-26 The view which holds that miracles died out gradually in the early church over time is contra to church history, yet is overwhelmingly evident in much of what Warfield majestically sets out to prove erroneous by supplying a true account of the story from its Judeo-Christian inception. 'It is very clear from the record of the New Testament that the extraordinary charismata were not (after the very first days of the church) the possession of all Christians, but special supernatural gifts to the few; and it is equally clear from the records of the sub-apostolic church that they did not continue in it.' pg 235-236, footnote 6 Warfield, without a blind adherence to Catholic doctrine that has defeated some, conquered the view that after the decease of the apostles miracles remained 'until they finally dwindled away by the end of the 3rd century, or a little later'. 'It is from these apocryphal miracle-stories and not from the miracles of the New Testament, that the luxuriant growth of the miraculous stories of later ecclesiastical writings draw their descent.' pg 18 The 'lying wonders' that arose in essence from the sphere of apocryphal literature will eventually find their ultimate manifestation in the appearance of the Antichrist, who will, quiet imaginably, be difficult to identify if the accepted and rising cult of seducing miracle workers had to continue. If the two cases, that of the biblical warning of 'lying wonders' and that of the claimed miracle workers, had to be compared, we shall have to say that they agree in the unholy

As a former member of the Charismatic movement, I belived that the doctrines of the charismatic movement were "obviously" Biblical and that the issue was black-and-white, and that there were few if any legitimate reasons to agree with cessationism or to question the basic tenents of the charismatic movement. If this describes you, think again! After reading this book, I will never again be able to think of the issue as "black-and-white" or Charismatic doctrines as "obviously" proven. In this book, Warfield: 1. Examines church history and various "examples" of miracles, such as "mind-cure" miracles (like those of Christian Science), Roman Catholic miracles, etc., and shows that we are in no way obligated to believe them, and that the case for these miracles is weak at best. In one particular section of the book, Warfield takes several examples of Christian "miracles" and gives examples of similar miracles being performed through other movements/factors, such as mesmerism, placebo effect, suggestion, and non-Christian religions. Warfield also critiques several miracle "movements." For example, his critique of the Christian Science movement was extremely interesting and informative; for example, Warfield shows how Christian Science is not really Christian at all, but is really a form of pantheism. 2. Shows that many of the common proof-texts of the Charismatic movement do not really support their position. 3. Shows that the Bible actually supports the cessation of the charisma. My one point against this book: I think that Warfield's arguments on the third point are fairly strong, but could maybe a little stronger. He does an excellent job refuting his opponents' views, but his arguments for his position related to the third position could be a little more in-depth. In all fairness though I am not sure that his primary purpose was simply to write an exegetical case for cessationism, and his arguments are strong in my opinion. I would definitly recommend this book to anyone who thinks that there is "clear" Scriptural or historical evidence for the charismatic movement, or who is dealing with the charismatic movement or has friends/family in the charismatic movement.

I completely do not agree with Warfield's Reformed theology that the charismata (aka - sign gifts) ceased at the canonization of the New Testament Scriptures, but I can definitely admit that he gives a good exegetical argument for his side of the theological debate. Warfield advocates a cessationist viewpoint of the miraculous and argues firmly that the miracles were only to validate the Gospel and the apostles. He also believes that God doesn't heal today and that today's church is in no need of signs and wonders. As I said, I definitely disagree with his theology, but as a student of the Bible, I can definitely appreciate other view points. The reason why I didn't give this book 5-stars is because at points in it, Warfield shows more bias than objectivity...but you can't really judge him on that. Who can EVER be 100% objective? As compelling as Warfield's argument is, always remember, there are ALWAYS two sides of EVERY debate. For those who would like to read the definitive book for the continualist side of this theological debate, read "On the Cessation of the Charismata: The Protestant Polemic on Post-Biblical Miracles" by Jon Ruthven. You'll find that Ruthven, an equally capable theologian as Warfield, counters every argument that Warfield presents. Also, try "Are Miraculous Gifts for Today", edited by Wayne Grudem. This book presents the four views of this question: Cessationist, Open but Cautious, Third Wave, and Pentecostal/Charismatic. Whatever your denominational persuasion may be, this book covers it all. Try both of these books in addition to "Counterfeit Miracles" and you'll find yourself on the way to becoming an "expert" on the debate.

My "one star" compadres haven't given the book its due in any fashion. It is well and good to say (with fingers in ears, repeating like a mantra) "Miracles happen every day...I've seen them...everybody's seen them...God never changes...etc etc." But when one gets down to brass tacs, the complete dearth of evidence for - as an example - miracles of regeneration or resurrection is embarassingly obvious. Does anyone think that if Benny Hinn had more to offer than mind-cures, suggestion, and cures of psychosomatic illnesses that he would not FLOOD the airways with footage to prove it? TBN would be ALL MIRACLES, ALL DAY. I was raised in a charismatic home and fully believe that God gives special providences and that our prayers ARE answered. But the special apostolic gifts are, whether you gauge it by quality or quantity, not with us anymore. I understand the worldview of the charismatic; but charismatics need to learn that whether or not the last regenerative miracle was in 70 AD or yesterday actually has no bearing on the truth of Christianity. Warfields excellent exegesis not only answers questions of charismata that endure to this day, but also reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun. Read this 80 year old tome, change the names, and you have a scathing indictment of the modern practitioners of faith healing. Bravo to a scintillating intellect. A final note: If we are truly to be living from one miracle to the next in our Christian life...isn't the term completely diluted of its meaning?

In "Counterfeit Miracles" B.B. Warfield makes a persuasive case for the cessation of miralcles after the time of the apostles. The book is well written and cogently argued, and I would highly recommend it. For those wanting to read a good response to Warfield's thesis, I would also recommend Jon Ruthven's "On the Cessation of the Charismata."