Usehername
On a mission
- Joined
- May 30, 2007
- Messages
- 3,794
Obviously I disagree with a lot in this thread, but... I am very curious if there are other interpretations of these gifts. I seem them as being very metaphorical and not applied in the more direct sense that was talked about early in the OP.
I'm just curious, then... are there multiple interpretations or views depending on denomination?
Yes. Some denominations view all the listed gifts as completely applicable and distributed today as in Bible Times while others would say that some were only at the emergence of the Christian church.
(i.e. the book of Acts talks about speaking in tongues, some would say that while it happened then, it's clearly not something that happens today b/c it's unnecessary and they argue the point of tongues in the emergence of the church was to unify all people as one through Christ (as opposed to Jews who were a 'chosen people'; it was a "new idea" then and not necessary today).)
Some people view Spiritual Gifts as something that can only be gifted to professing, practicing Christians, others disagree and say it's available for all people...
(if you're more like Jen and I by saying there's less specifically outlined gifts as mentioned in Corinthians, and instead just more ways that God communicates, I think you're more likely to say that it's gifts available to all. I personally think God can work through anyone, no problem, no matter what religion. I don't know so much about specific gifts, though. Clearly that would not work for something like Evangelism)
I think the majority view, though, is that gifts are:
a) gifted to professing, practicing Christians (and everyone has at least one gift)
b) as listed in the bible (however there are discrepancies as to what exactly "makes the official list" b/c some are mentioned in other passages than the one in Corinthians and it's arguable as to whether they are considered Spiritual Gifts)