tions over the inner experience. Jesus had something to say about a generation that needs a sign. Thirdly, I felt the revival move ment in Indonesia did not need these physical confirmations of its authenticity. Renewal in the church, new believers by the tens of thou sands, church growth so rapid it could hardly be charted — these things were proof enough to me that God was wonderfully visiting the country. This was the substance, the cake. Anything else was just frosting. But what about the frosting? Did some miracles occur? Undoubted ly. No one who is acquainted with the situation disputes this. A mis sionary in Indonesia says: “We know that Cod has done miracles, although reports from responsible church people question some of the 'miracles' purportedly done by God." There is no clash of faith and unbelief in that statement. It re flects a healthy attitude. Faith to believe in miracles does not pre clude an inquiring mind. The Bible advises us to test the spirits. What ever is truly of God will stand the test. On the other hand, why should we stagger when Cod — who, if He is anything, is omnipotent and sovereign — sends miracles when and where He chooses to confirm His Word? In his book, Miracles, C. S. Lewis says, “The mind which asks for a nonmiraculous Christian ity is a mind in process of relapsing from Christianity into mere 'relig ion.'" Perhaps it will help our under standing if we know something of the time, the place and the people. The time was 1964-66. The place
ian pastor explained it to me this way: “These people are very prim itive. They've always lived in a spirit world, and they readily un derstand the conflict between God and evil spirits. With their child like faith, miracles are no problem for them." Having met some of these new believers, I understood what my friend was saying. I did not ques tion their word or his. However, some of the things which I heard taxed my capacity to believe, and since I could not personally authenticate any of the stories, I did not, and do not, want to be identified with their retelling. The second reason I did not re port them was my belief that these mind-boggling stories would de tract many people from the greater miracle of tens of thousands of Animists and Muslims turning to Christ. It is distressingly true that we become much more excited over miracles in the physical realm than those of the spiritual. The extraordinary interest in this book is evidence of this. It seems the western mind — both Christian and non-Christian — today is so jaded that it takes supernatural demonstrations to arouse it. One group is captivated by miracles and signs; the other turns to witchcraft and the occult. Both seem to need a cosmic break through— divine or demonic— to titillate their sated spirits. I am not trying to start an argu ment with anyone who has had a charismatic experience. I respect every gift received from the Holy Spirit for use in the body of Christ. My concern, which I know is shared by many, is about our preoccupa tion with the outward manifesta
Page 30
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker