Surprised by the Power of the Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today

by Jack Deere

What caused a former Dallas Seminary professor to believe that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit are being given today? What convinced someone skeptical about miracles that God still speaks and heals? A dramatic change took place in Jack Deere's life when he took a fresh look at the Scriptures. He discovered that his arguments against miraculous gifts were based more on prejudice and lack of personal experience than on the Bible. As soon as Deere became a seeker instead of a skeptic, the Holy Spirit revealed himself in new and surprising ways. In Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, Deere provides a strong biblical defense for the Spirit's speaking and healing ministries today. He also describes several reliable cases of people who were miraculously healed or who heard God speak in an unmistakable way. Finally, he gives sound advice for using spiritual gifts in the church. Written in a popular style, with the care of a scholar but the passion of personal experience, this book explores: the real reason Christians do not believe in miraculous gifts, responding to charismatic abuses, whether miracles were meant to be temporary, and why God still heals.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith

302 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1993

About the author

Jack Deere, formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a writer and lecturer who speaks throughout the world on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of the bestselling book Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. Follow Jack on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorJackDeere.

Reviews

[Cory Jew · Rating 5 out of 5]

You MUST read this book! I encourage anyone who is curious about the gifts of the Holy Spirit or anyone who simply is skeptical about the Holy Spirit to read this book. I believe this book to be the best I've ever read on describing the modern church in regards to this issue! Incredibly well researched, documented and filled with evidence for living daily in the presence of God through the Holy Spirit! Leans more on the academic side of reading and logically flows smoothly to convince the reader that all should seek the Greater Gifts that Paul encourages the church to seek! I'd give it 6/5 stars if I could! Seriously!

[Glenn Bertsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This probably goes down as one of the best books I've ever read. It was the deep and thorough look at what the Bible teaches on spiritual gifts that I expected, but it wasn't dry and theoretical. Deere didn't use emotionalism or arguments from experience, but instead used Scripture for every point he made.

What amazed me most of all, though, was how practical the book was, and how it was both encouraging and convicting.

I highly recommend Surprised by the Power of the Spirit to anyone who wants to grow in their relationship with Christ.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A better-than-average critique of the cessation doctrine. Having taught at a seminary which held this view, Deere does a better job explaining it as well as his reasoning and scriptural support against it than might someone raised in the direct theology. I’m no theologian, so I can’t say how a believer in cessationism would respond.

The reader will not doubt that Deere used to teach college. The text is structured, repetitive and detailed just as a college lecture might be. This is not light reading, but may help one truly searching for an explanation.

Observation: Having recently read C. S. Lewis Vs the New Atheists by Peter S. Williams, a critique of the new atheist thinking, I was struck by the parallel between the thinking of modern atheists and the cessationists. Both make an a priori commitment to a standard of proof which is itself not examined. Both rest their argument on the premise that what they have not experienced isn’t true. Similarly I detect a lot of talking past, not to, one another in both discussions.

[Brett Monge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing coming from a former Dallas Theological Seminary professor who was a staunch cessationist to now believing the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit have continued until the modern day. This book has challenged me to re-read the New Testament more at face value, and to not put a theological grid or tradition “over” the text.

I gave 4 stars because I was already convinced prior to reading the book that the supernatural gifts are still operative in believers…I think testimony from my own life and the lives of others (including the global church) are too great of a witness to ignore alongside what seems to be the most plain reading of the Scriptures.

[ThePrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack Deere’s interpretation of Scripture is not very good at all. I highly recommend having a Bible next to you when you are reading this, so you can see for yourself where his examples actually apply and when he is making up fanciful nonsense. At several points, his hermeneutics are so off that I fear for those reading this who do not have a solid, Biblical foundation. He also comes off as an extremely arrogant man, both before and after he became a charismatic. My complaints could go on, but he also seems to have a personal vendetta against John MacArthur, which is a curious one. Please just test everything in this book against Scripture, and you’ll come out of this book relatively unscathed.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Spirit at work

Deere tells some great stories of ways he has seen the gifts of the Spirit function active in our day. While I a, not sure this book will win over cessationists it is helpful reminder of the work of the Spirit and it hopefully kindles more of a passion for Jesus.

[Brandon Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal read even if you're not convinced of the gifts still being around. Deere tells of what he has experienced, but doesn't make that convince us. He takes it back to scripture and argues for the spiritual gifts biblically and in a way which is easy to understand.

[Nola Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Deere was a Biblical scholar and an associate professor at a conservative theological seminary that endorsed cessationism--the view that the more miraculous spiritual gifts like healing, miracles, and speaking in tongues ended with the Apostolic age and are no longer given today. Deere's views were changed by a series of events that showed him beyond a doubt that those gifts are indeed still in effect today and that the power of the Holy Spirit is available to all believers.

As well as talking about his experiences and those of others, he also builds a strong case from scripture. He deals with some of the main objections people might raise, including some of the abuses of spiritual gifts seen in some sections of the church. He also looks at tricky questions such as why God doesn't always heal.

He emphasises that any ability to operate in these gifts today is dependent on God and not in the individual person, but that we should be diligently pursuing the gifts as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:1.

There are also three detailed appendices with extra information--'Other reasons why God heals and works miracles', 'Did miraculous gifts cease with the apostles?', 'Were there only three periods of miracles?' I didn't read the appendices, but they would be a good resource for those who were unsure about whether these gifts operate today.

As Deere has come from a background that didn't think these gifts were still in operation, he spends a lot of time explaining how he came to change his views and also building up a scriptural basis for what he came to believe. Therefore, the book would be especially helpful for anyone in a similar position who is willing to grapple with what the Bible actually says. I didn't need convincing, as I already believed these gifts operate today. However, I still found his arguments interesting and it gave me some new insights. It was a good reminder that nothing can be done in the Christian life without being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

I especially liked the real-life examples he gave, though one case regarding an issue in his own family was mentioned but seemed unresolved. Unless I missed it, we never found out what happened regarding his prayers for an unborn child. He also ends by saying that he was intending to include some information on how to hear the voice of God, but he ended up with so much information that he is putting that in another book (which has been published). I suspect the info in the Appendices may also be extra material he had collected for this book.

Still, I found the book very helpful overall. It would be especially relevant for someone who was skeptical about the more miraculous spiritual gifts and whether they are still in effect today. However, it also has some insights and good reminders for people like me who might already believe in those gifts but have not been actively using them or nurturing them as much as they should.

[Tom Fenske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfassbar gutes und tiefgründiges Buch. Jack Deere kommt als Theologieprofessor an einem der renommiertesten Seminare in Amerika in Kontakt mit Christen, die seine Sicht von Gottes Wirken heute nicht nur theoretisch, sondern vor allem durch ihren praktisch ausgeübten Dienst in Frage stellen. Er stellt fest, wieviele seiner Ansichten überhaupt nicht auf die Schrift gegründet waren. Er legt hier eine Klarstellung mit Hand und Fuß vor, die keineswegs trocken-theologisch ist, sondern herausfordert, viel mehr von Gott zu erwarten. Die letzten Kapitel des Buches, das viele beeindruckende Beispiele von Gottes Wirken in unserer Zeit berichtet, drehen sich um das für Deere wichtigste Thema unseres Lebens: "Leidenschaft für Jesus entwickeln"!

Ich denke das Buch ist zurzeit sehr relevant, denn in vielen reformierten Gemeinden wird das Dämpfen des Geistes, die Verachtung von Weissagung und die Ablehnung der Wirkungen des Geistes offen gepredigt. Gottes eindeutige Gebote werden auf Grundlage von theoretischen Spekulationen und Traditionen für ungültig erklärt.
In dem Buch werden die kontroversen Geistesgaben mit ausführlicher Begründung durch die Bibel erklärt. Der Autor gibt auch praktische Hinweise für die Umsetzung.

[cush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid! Really liked hearing his story turning from skeptic cessationist to finding a new passion for King Jesus and then operating powerfully in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Definitely a good book for those who are perhaps highly skeptical of the charismatic movement / vineyard…I personally lean more towards the charismatic side, but still good to hear a very well trained theologian and professor have profound experiences with these gifts. In the end, we need more unity in the body and for us to love one another despite our differences!

[Onisim Pînzariu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Deere talks so well, with actual proofs from the Bible, about signs and wonders and the power of the Holy Spirit still being active in the twenty first century.

[Miah Bartlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, I appreciate a lot of the encouragement as well as the challenges Jack Deere gives his readers. His humility and honesty made the book and easy and fairly quick read.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I have been on a quite a journey, both recently questioning the practice of spiritual gifts in the church. Though we never doubted that they are still meant for the building of the church today, we had a lot of practical questions. Though we are still wrestling, seeking, and growing in our understanding in regards to the practice of gifts, this book has once again given me the encouragement I needed to obey the Word of God when Paul said to the church, "Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy" (1 Cor. 14:1).

Jack Deere did not want to believe that all the gifts were for today. But after a careful study of the Scriptures, he was convinced of just that. There is something admirable and noble about a person willing to dig so deep for the truth, even though he had been openly opposed to that very truth for so long. Though Scripture began to transform his beliefs about the gifts, soon he began to witness miraculous healings in the lives of friends as well.

As I have been reading this book, I have also been listening to theological podcasts from balanced continuationists such as Mike Winger and Remnant Radio on Youtube. During this process I enjoyed loving the Lord with my mind rather than just my heart and spirit. But I also quickly learned that there is danger on both ends of the spectrum. Intellectualism can lead to pride and self-righteousness. Emotionalism can lead us to seek an experience or feeling above seeking Jesus himself. Like any good thing, too much of it can lead to idol worship.

Jack Deere is nothing but honest, thorough, and sincere as he shares how God delivered him from unhealthy extremes in his Christian walk. And most importantly, he takes us through so many Scriptures to show us how the gifts are still meant for today.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone. I not only grew in my understanding of Scripture and of the unchanging character of God, but more importantly I grew closer to the Person of God as a result. I plan on rereading this soon, but I also can't wait to read his sequel, Surprised by the Voice of God, as he dives deeper into what it looks like to hear from a God who has not only spoken through his holy Scriptures, but who is also speaking today to every believer who has ears to hear.

[Brad Dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mesmerizing narrative and solid theology to back the continuation of spiritual giftings — and told by a former cessationist.

My hesitations lie in a couple of friends he touts as true disciples who have since come under fire for scandals. At the time, though, they did not have this reputation and even disciples run astray. But between those and my typical skeptical Westernism, it’s hard to buy into many of these stories. I’ll pray about that (:

[Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It gave me some insights and things to consider I hadn’t examined before, such as looking in-depth at why Jesus healed in the New Testament and why God still heals and works miracles today. It was good that Deere affirmed the impact of tradition and experience, as it can be easy for people to blindly follow and believe what their pastor says instead of examining the Bible for themselves. I did want to know more about how specifically White’s phone call rocked Deere’s world; I understand it opened him to the possibility of God still working miracles, but Deere didn’t go into some of the ways it altered his work or relationships. When he talked about the call, he made it seem like it upset or devastated huge areas of his life. What were specific times when he had to yield the control and comfort of His life in order to follow and obey God?

I liked how in-depth Deere was when he discussed healing, but I felt like this book was focused too much on healings and not enough on prophecy or tongues for it to be a book about miraculous gifts as a whole. I especially wanted him to take even one chapter to briefly break down and explain his understanding of prophecy and tongues today, even if there was no anecdote to illustrate. He mentioned in the epilogue that he has another book focusing on these things, but I feel like they ought to have been incorporated in his discussion a bit more.

When he discussed healing, I also sometimes felt like he was implying that if a person is not healed, then there is something wrong with their faith. Deere seems to think that God will heal people 99% of the time when it is prayed for, and I felt like he didn’t do a good enough job stressing that some people are never healed, and that is according to God’s will—not because a lack of faith. Addressing things like mental or physical disabilities, especially from birth, would have been an interesting discussion.

Related to this, there seemed to be other times when Deere made a broad and general statement, but then did little to clear it up in order to avoid confusion, anger, or concern. One such example was when he said “the inability to weep over these things [Scripture and our inability to keep God’s Word]…is a sign of a traumatized or hardened heart” (92). I myself do not cry often, and I know some people who cry at the slightest thing. That type of statement made me feel guilty because my heart can feel burdened with sadness or righteous anger at injustice or sin (of myself or others), but I may not weep. Deere seemed to contradict himself slightly on page 94, however, which left me confused about his ultimate stance.

These were some of my biggest concerns while reading this book. If he had taken the time to explain himself a bit more in some sections, I think it would have helped a lot. Despite his occasional vagueness, though, it was still a good read.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with Wayne Grudem and Sam Storms that this is the best exegetical refutation of cessationism available. I suspect that I'll be using and citing from this book a lot going forward.

The book is strongest when the author is offering an apologetic for continuationism and/or refuting cessationism. It's weakest when it offers an admonition for the Vineyard style piety that the author seems to prefer. It's strongest when the author exegetes from scripture, it's weakest when he appeals to anecdotal evidence and personal experience.

The book is also marred by the fact that much of that anecdotal evidence and personal experience involves controversial Pentecostal minister Paul Cain. To be fair, this book was originally published in 1993 long before Cain's moral problems began to manifest themselves in the early 2000's. The author was intimately involved in confronting and seeking to restore Cain during this time (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Ca...). Suffice to say I think that if this book had been written later, it might not have included content about Cain, and frankly been a better book as a result of it. Hindsight is always 20-20, isn't it?

That said, this is a solid book that I enjoyed immensely and will be freely recommending to others. After a short break to get through some other books, I fully intend to tackle the author's sequel to this book entitled, Surprised by the Voice of God: How God Speaks Today Through Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions.

[Emilee Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I don't often pick up nonfiction but this was a required read for a program I was going to do. I didn't end up going through the program but I had already got this book from the library and after trying the first chapter I knew I wanted to continue with it. I'm so glad I did. I'm on the side that have grown up and believed in the voice and power of the spirit and gifts but reading this was even encouraging for me. It was fantastic to see an in-depth response and biblical reason for why I believe what I believe and that what I believe is actually valid. It also made me realize that I shouldn't believe just because I've been taught and told. That I need to do actual biblical research for myself.

At this time I've also been struggling with my relationship with Jesus and my passion for Him so that last chapter about passion and power was so incredibly uplifting. I definitely want to buy a copy of this to reread and highlight.
I would absolutely recommend this to any Christian. It's still extremely valid and encouraging for believers today.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We must not equate Jesus with any of these good things. Jesus is not a doctrine, a theology, an abstract principle, a ministry, a church, a denomination, an activity, or even a way of life. Jesus is a person, a real person. And he demands that we put him above all these good things. None of these things died for us; the Son of God did. None of these things controls our destiny; the Son of God does. Anytime I begin to give more attention to one of these things or pursue one of them more than I am pursuing the Son of God, it will become an idol in my life to taken me away from Him. We so easily confuse loving these good things with loving Jesus. We so easily confuse being committed to these good things with being committed to God."

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good argument for the continuationist position on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are a few places where perhaps he overreaches, but his main arguments were sound. This book helped to put some biblical support to see of the things the Lord was doing in my life in college and the better part of it still rings true. I am very grateful for Dr. Deere's work here. It holds up well and I'm glad to have reread it.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Biblical exposition that brings irrefutable defense against cessationism. Those who claim "sola scriptura" trying to prop up their powerlessness will be totally confronted by the Scripture and church history presented here.

Many of us have had a "form of godliness, denying the power" but this book leaves us no excuse.

[Edwin Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. That was something I didn't expect.

Read the whole book in just a couple days. It engaged with the Scriptures, it engaged with the skeptics, and it engaged with the snake oil salesman.

It presents a strong case for the continuation of spiritual gifts, including the more miraculous ones. Certainly makes me question my paradigm.

[Kari Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a cessationist, but I have been someone who is skeptical about modern day gifts of the spirit such as prophesy, tongues, and healing, due to my lack of exposure and the abuse I have seen. This book has greatly strengthened my faith in this area, and I recommend it to anyone as a Biblical exploration of how God works through His spirit in the modern day.

[Alex Lupoian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very beneficial for understanding the arguments for the work of The Holy Spirit in the Church.
As far as I'm concerned, Jack Deere is loyal to the Bible message.

Using other texts you'll reach all sorts of conclusions...
Using the Scriptures, you'll have reach the conclusion that God has similar gifts for the Church today, as He had in the first century.

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable defense of Charismatic theology, from a former Dallas Seminary professor, although I can't say I'm convinced yet.

[Michael D'Offay · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved every page of it. Deere argues convincingly from scripture and personal experience the need for the Work of the Holy Spirit as we see in the New Testament. Really good stuff

[Wendy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best apologetic for modern "charisma". Biblically based Dallas theological professor, turned from the evangelical culture to a more Spirit filled. Best book I've read on this topic.

[Mark Ackeret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Deere creates a straw-man argument claiming that cessationists do not pray for miracles to occur today (or believe that God can do them today). Further he generalizes the cessationist response to known healings as blaming demonic activity. This could not be further from the reality. I am a cessationist and I have never met anyone that actually believes as Deere claims. This is the type of logic and argument that comes from someone who pridefully claims they never knew a single verse of the Bible until age 17 and then 10 years later is a theological professor. Deere further attacks the biblical view of cessationism as not having any scriptural basis and as a "lack of experience." However, the book largely does not argue biblically, but rather experientially. It is filled mostly with the author's personal anecdotes. Personally, I see the "healings" as mentioned in the story, as just extraodinary answers to prayer, rather than the gift of healing, visions or prophecy. Deere does not adecuately address the use of these gifts in relation to their regulation found in 1 Corinthians. Neither does he address the completion of the canon, the marked distinction between the apostles and current church in the book of Hebrews or any further biblical arguments for cessationism. The premise of the book: God is a miracle worker, so healings must occur. I find this yet another fallacious argument.

Deere conveniently describes the gift of healing as not controlled by the healer, but rather as God wills in relation to the "level" (his word) of faith and spirituality. However, his anecdotes share instances of healing when healing services were previously scheduled or occurred for the personal benefit of the healer (e.g. a sensational story of healing a deaf man to escape an angry mob in Africa).

Overall, I'm not surprised by the Power of the Spirit, because God answers prayer. I just don't see these stories the same way the author attempts to portray them.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars


Jack Deere spent the first part of his Christian life believing, and teaching, that the Spirit had passed on and wasn't alive and working in people *today.* And then something happened to change him and his mind. As a result Deere needed to leave his teaching position as Dallas Theological Seminary, left the church he was pastoring, and even lost friends. Crazy right? Well, us Christians are awful that way. But that isn't Deere's soapbox and I won't step up on it right now. *wink*
In this book Jack Deere starts by relaying his personal story and testimony about his life of faith and his experiences with the Spirit. He then moves into sharing the evidence - biblical and physical - about the activity of the Spirit today. I really liked this book, Deere relays his story with relatability and his testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit is convincing (although I didn't need convincing). It was a surprise read for me in that I was surprised at how much I liked it.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

God really used this book to ignite truth in my brain. I can be such a black and white thinker but God is merciful and isn’t willing to let us stay in our stubborn and set ways. He is near to us and desires a deeper and fuller relationship with us. If we limit God and look at scripture through a black and white cultural lense we can misinterpret because it is easier to follow our religious traditions than to follow the Holy Spirits guidance. It is safer to keep God at a distance rather than invite him in to change and shape us. I would highly recommend this to anyone coming from a baptist/cessationist background that would desire more of God’s presence in their life.

[Jacky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Deere makes a compelling and biblically rooted case on why the charismatic gifts continue today. Speaking from an anecdotal perspective, he shares how he was once a cessationist theologian and how he was convinced by both Scripture and personal experience how wrong that was. I am encouraged by his writings, speaking as a person who was also theologically "conservative" (when it came to matters of the Holy Spirit) and, in a similar journey to Deere's, now enjoy an empowered life of learning to be filled with, anointed by, and sensitive to the Spirit daily.