The Holy what, eh?

First thing is first, a little of my background. The church that I grew up in was cessationist. The preaching was great the people were great and sometimes the praise was great. I often felt that not just in my church but many evangelical and baptist churches like mine had perhaps replaced the Holy Spirit for the Holy Bible. I by no means want to negate the importance of the Word! It is essential and it must be preached in an expository manner.

In my teens I started to infrequently attend some charismatic churches with some friends. I felt like they had something that perhaps my church was missing, however it was pretty much always done in an un-biblical manner often made me feel uncomfortable. But still I felt like I was missing something...

Over the past few years iv really been challenged to study the work of the Holy Spirit and His role today in the church. I'm still wrestling this one through to be honest. I feel like we are often to scared to talk about him in-case something crazy happens like on the God Channel (don't bother watching it). Surely there has to be some balance thou? Right? Is it possible to be a 'Charismatic Calvinist'? I think it is, but what does this look like?

I realise I'm asking a lot of questions here. However I think its something us reformed guys have to work through. Its been put to the side too often. I have seen the Holy Spirit move in power during street preaching in Chicago where a guy ripped of his stookie (cast for you yanks) because his arm was healed. Is this supposed to be normative? I don' know...

Don't get me wrong the most amazing work of God was to save a wretched sinner like me and to continually sanctify me even though in my pride I often don't live according to his will.

Now here is the challenge.

Anyone who is up for it, lets read together this short e-book published by the guys at Resurgance and see if it helps us in our understanding of the Spirits role today. If it happens that we are wrong (my self included), lets repent and change.

Feedback is encouraged.