The Hyper-Cessationism Error

In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, Pastor Aldo Leon is joined by Ryan Denton to examine what they describe as "hyper-cessationism"—the tendency within some Reformed circles to extend the cessation of apostolic sign gifts into a denial of any ongoing, non-canonical and circumstantial work of the Holy Spirit. Ryan Denton is an organizing pastor with Vanguard Presbyterian Church in Texas, and his ministry includes church planting, pulpit supply, open-air preaching, and jail and prison ministry. The discussion draws heavily from the Reformers, Puritans, Covenanters, and Westminster tradition to argue for a careful distinction between infallible canonical revelation and the ways God may providentially guide, impress, or communicate with His people.

• What "hyper-cessationism" means and how it differs from historic cessationism
• The crucial distinction between immediate and mediate, or circumstantial, revelation
• Why the cessation of apostolic sign gifts does not necessarily mean that every unusual work of the Holy Spirit has ceased
• Historical evidence from Peter Martyr Vermigli, Samuel Rutherford, James Durham, John Flavel, John Knox, Robert Blair, and other Reformed and Puritan writers
• Rutherford's discussion of a category of revelation distinct from canonical Scripture and the Spirit's internal testimony
• How dreams, visions, prophetic impulses, impressions, and other unusual experiences should be distinguished from authoritative, infallible revelation
• Why any claimed circumstantial revelation must remain subordinate to Scripture and must never add to the rule of faith or practice
• The relationship between divine providence and the Holy Spirit's work in the ordinary circumstances of Christian life
• How a materialistic or functionally deistic worldview can cause Christians to overlook God's providential activity
• Why unusual spiritual experiences should be approached with humility, discernment, prayer, and counsel rather than either unquestioning acceptance or categorical denial
• The pastoral importance of spiritual sensitivity in preaching, shepherding, family life, and everyday Christian decision-making
• The importance of holiness, prayer, Scripture, self-denial, and a disciplined Christian life in cultivating sensitivity to the Spirit
• Why Christians should be more concerned with the redemptive work of the Spirit—love, joy, holiness, repentance, and communion with Christ—than with extraordinary experiences
• The importance of recovering a robust doctrine of providence and a serious regard for the Lord's Day in an increasingly naturalistic Christian culture

Ryan Denton: https://ryandenton.com/

Vanguard Presbyterian Church: https://vanguardpresbyterianchurch.com/

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Get Aldo Leon's book, Christ's Crown: Christianity and the Civil Realm: https://www.berithpress.com/bookstore/p/christs-crown-christianity-the-civil-realm