Nathan’s review of The Spiritual Gifts Handbook: Using Your Gifts to Build the Kingdom > Likes and Comments
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Thank you for your thoughtful review. I found no heresy in this book, therefore, if you could point out what you found heretical, since you mention it twice in your review, that might be helpful. Thank you. I disagree with your perspective that "the authors seemed unaware of how little discernment there is in terms of the operation of many gifts." The many examples they gave and cautions provided evidence of such awareness. Finally, you may have misinterpreted references to Catholic mystics -- they are not widely understood -- but I didn't find either author overemphasizing Catholic mystics as proof of charismatic modes. It seemed to my view the authors took pains to share Protestant and Catholic history in equal portions. They defined a charism as "a capacity to act in a way that surpasses human power" and "dependent on the operation of the Holy Spirit" for "the building up of the Body of Christ." Dr. Healy clearly states on page 30 that charisms "do not belong primarily under the heading of mystical theology, but rather of ecclesiology (understanding of the Church)" and on page 31, that the charismatic and institutional dimensions are "co-essential" to the very nature of the Church. This was in the first chapter titled, " What Are the Spiritual Gifts?" In general, I found much in their writing about the complementariness of many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the working of God ecumenically to bring unity to the entire Body of Christ regardless of denomination, continent or nation. The Spirit blows where it wills. "Whether Gentiles could be included in the Church and on what basis was settled primarily by the activity of the Spirit." I found the Protestant-and-Catholic combined approach to how the Holy Spirit has worked through the centuries to be a refreshing and instructional read.
Nathan, I just finished this book today and am scrolling through reviews. Could you indicate your personal credentials for this review ? Are you a theologian? A pastor?
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Chris
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Nov 15, 2025 11:09AM
Thank you for your thoughtful review. I found no heresy in this book, therefore, if you could point out what you found heretical, since you mention it twice in your review, that might be helpful. Thank you. I disagree with your perspective that "the authors seemed unaware of how little discernment there is in terms of the operation of many gifts." The many examples they gave and cautions provided evidence of such awareness. Finally, you may have misinterpreted references to Catholic mystics -- they are not widely understood -- but I didn't find either author overemphasizing Catholic mystics as proof of charismatic modes. It seemed to my view the authors took pains to share Protestant and Catholic history in equal portions. They defined a charism as "a capacity to act in a way that surpasses human power" and "dependent on the operation of the Holy Spirit" for "the building up of the Body of Christ." Dr. Healy clearly states on page 30 that charisms "do not belong primarily under the heading of mystical theology, but rather of ecclesiology (understanding of the Church)" and on page 31, that the charismatic and institutional dimensions are "co-essential" to the very nature of the Church. This was in the first chapter titled, " What Are the Spiritual Gifts?" In general, I found much in their writing about the complementariness of many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the working of God ecumenically to bring unity to the entire Body of Christ regardless of denomination, continent or nation. The Spirit blows where it wills. "Whether Gentiles could be included in the Church and on what basis was settled primarily by the activity of the Spirit." I found the Protestant-and-Catholic combined approach to how the Holy Spirit has worked through the centuries to be a refreshing and instructional read.
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Nathan, I just finished this book today and am scrolling through reviews. Could you indicate your personal credentials for this review ? Are you a theologian? A pastor?
