AN APPRAISAL OF CHARISM IN PAULINE THEOLOGY

ABSTRACT

This study is an evaluation of an Appraisal of Charism in Pauline Theology. The giftedness of the Spirit, according to the Bible, should be used in ways that are consistent with the following four principles: Spiritual giftedness is to be used for the purpose of building up the church. As already discussed above, the purpose of the Spirit's gifting of all believers is to build up the body of Christ, the new multi-ethnic humanity which is the church of God.  Paul's garden metaphor can be stretched a bit to make a further point. If there is no growth in God's garden, then perhaps - and it must remain a potentiality, since God is sovereign - the climate and activity in the garden is not right for such growth. If a genuine giftedness growth and ministry of all believers is not happening spontaneously, then it is likely that there is not a proper climate for spiritual growth in the church. Church leaders must also correct false motives and false teachings. To use the above metaphor again: part of creating a proper climate in the church for giftedness growth is the hard work of pulling out weeds. False motives and false teachings are like weeds that seriously stunt or even prevent genuine giftedness growth. Since many Christians are still spiritually immature they are 'tossed to and for by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes'.