Timothy Clothier - To Each is Given: Spiritual Gifts in the Life of the Church

What Others Are Saying about

TO EACH IS GIVEN

To Each is Given is marked by biblical conviction, detailed clarity and humble courage. I found my understanding of spiritual gifts confirmed in some areas and challenged in others. Read Timothy Clothiers book. Read it with an open Bible, an open heart, and an open mind.

Larry E. McCall, D. Min. Author of Walking Like Jesus Did, Loving Your Wife as Christ Loves the Church, and Grandparenting with Grace
Warsaw, Ind.

Timothy Clothier sets forth the biblical and theological reasoning upon which he has constructed his view of the role of spiritual gifts, signs, and wonders in the church today. His gracious tone models how to respond with respect and conviction to Christians holding opposing views on this issue, particularly charismatics and the New Apostolic Reformation. Even more, his careful and thorough approach to Scripture, and his desire to allow Scripture to speak for itself, provide a valuable resource for everyone who desires greater clarity on how the Holy Spirit does and does not continue working among us today.

Adam Copenhaver, PhD in New Testament, ThM in Old Testament, pastor, Grace Brethren Church
Mabton, Wash.

Though this topic often solicits intense reaction without listening and resorting to preconceived theological conclusions, Clothier shines exegetical light on the pertinent biblical passages to help us take a deep dive into the world of the first-century world where Paul (and Peter) were addressing these same disruptive problems. Without name calling, he sets the pace for how we can allow the New Testament to inform our understanding of spiritual gifts in our churches today. Theres plenty of room for more dialogue, but this book gives us plenty to talk about and even more to agree about as we take Scripture seriously and unity just as seriously.

Jeremy Wike, senior pastor, Community of Hope Church
Columbia City, Ind.

In To Each Is Given, Clothier blends biblical precision with pastoral care as he revisits the complicated topic of spiritual gifts. He systematically works through relevant texts of Scripture, defining key words, analyzing commentaries, and providing personal insights. Clothier gracefully touches on gender roles and thoughtfully challenges modern abuses of signs and wonders. His respect for Gods Word, the Spirits power, and churchs unity resonate throughout this book.

Tim Sprankle, pastor, Grace Church and doctoral student at Biola University
Leesburg, Ind.

Born out of deep pastoral concern, and an equally deep love for the truths of the Word of God, Timothy Clothier charts out a via media on the issue of spiritual gifts in To Each Is Given. Not landing in the traditional charismatic or cessationist camps, he thoughtfully exegetes the Word of God to examine the questions of which spiritual gifts are active today, and how we utilize them for the glory of God and the building up of the Body of Christ. As the number of pastor-theologians seem sadly to be ebbing away, Timothy reminds us that there is no substitute for having a firm grasp on the eternal truths of the inerrant Word of God as we seek to shepherd and lead the Church as we are called.

Davey Ermold, Th.M, pastor, Blue Ridge Grace Brethren Church
Winchester, Va.

Taking complicated subject matters and making them understandable is a gift that Timothy leverages throughout To Each is Given. I believe this will be a tremendous tool on the bookshelves of pastors who desire to teach a Biblical perspective of spiritual gifts in our modern context. Whether youre looking for sermon prep material or your next small group study, To Each is Given is a must have!

Mark Lingenfelter, president of Inspire: Charis Fellowship Pastors Network and pastor, Grace Fellowship Church
Duncansville, Pa.

TO EACH
IS GIVEN

Spiritual Gifts in
The Life of The Church

TO EACH
IS GIVEN

Spiritual Gifts in
The Life of The Church

TIMOTHY CLOTHIER

To Each Is Given

Spiritual Gifts in the Life of the Church

Copyright 2020 by Timothy Clothier

ISBN 978-0-88469-361-1 (print)

978-0-88469-362-8 (ebook)

REL062000 RELIGION / Spirituality

REL067000 RELIGION / Christian Theology / General

REL099000 RELIGION / Christian Living / Spiritual Warfare

Published by BMH Books

Box 544, Winona Lake, Ind.

bmhbooks.com

Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

Cover and interior design: Terry Julien

DEDICATION

TO MY FATHER,
DR. THOMAS CLOTHIER

You are the greatest theologian
I know because you live out
what you believe. Your faithful
preaching, teaching, and parenting
have done more to shape my
theology and hermeneutic than all
my schooling has. Your steadfast
living continually serves as an
active testimony of the Bibles
unwavering truthfulness and
Gods unending faithfulness.

AND TO MY WIFE,
CARRIE CLOTHIER

Words are unable to fully express
my love and appreciation. Your
constant support, listening ear,
critical thinking, and desire to
glorify Jesus have made this
project a reality. I love you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I remember the day like it was yesterday. My wife Carrie and I were living in Indiana at the time, and on this evening, we were playing Ticket to Ride in our living room. We were alone, having just put our daughter Allegra to bed, when we heard a knock at the door. Stopping by was one of our close friends, Susan. We knew Susan well and had spent a considerable amount of time with her over the years.

We first met Susan in 2006. She was one of the 30 students on a summer ministry team that Carrie and I led. That fall Susan moved to Indiana to take classes at Grace College, and while doing so she attended our church.

For two summers, during her time at Grace, Susan lived with us and became known as Aunt Susan to our daughter. She was one of many college students in our lives whom we grew to love deeply.

That night, Susan had some big news to share with us. She was leaving Indiana and enrolling in the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). I was floored, bewildered, speechless, shocked, angry, concerned, and hurt.

Up to this point, Susan had sought counsel from my wife and me for many of the major life decisions she had made during college. Yet, here was a blockbuster of a decision that was made without any advice from us, or even an advanced warning. Her decision had already been made, and she was stopping by to simply inform us of it.

During the previous year, I had become vaguely familiar with BSSM through another mutual friend whose son was enrolled in the program at the time. She and her husband were very involved in our local church. However, her son was not, having been away at college for four years. Consequently, many of the discussions about BSSM and her son didnt lead to the same set of emotions because I didnt know him nearly as well.

Nevertheless, there we sat in our living room trying to make sense out of what Susan had just told us. More than anything I felt troubled by what we had just heard and what I believed Susan was getting herself into. Immediately after she left, I jumped on the internet and began searching for BSSM, eager to learn and understand just what kind of school this was. In many ways, what I found confirmed my fears.