November 13 1995

ARTICLE TOOLS

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I appreciate the balanced presentation that "Toronto's Mixed Blessing" and "The Surprising Works of God" [Sept. 11] bring to the Toronto Blessing controversy. I find great comfort and stability in my traditional, evangelical Christian beliefs, and intellectual satisfaction in my practice of Reformed theology. As a result, I am not prone to emotionalism or "feel-good" religion. However, I also believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us with God's unspeakable joy and guide us by God's wisdom displayed throughout Scripture, and in the church. I could be characterized as an evangelical charismatic.

On October 1994, I attended an international, nondenominational conference in Toronto on spiritual renewal and revival sponsored by the Airport Vineyard, called Catch the Fire. There I received a miraculous emotional healing through prayer, which has positively impacted my marriage as well as increased my desire to see others touched by God through the power of prayer. This healing could have happened in a different venue, but for reasons known only to God, he chose to touch me dramatically, powerfully, and emotionally through the prayer ministry of this renewal meeting. If I could have planned my own healing, I would certainly have planned it in a much less conspicuous manner. But his ways are not our ways.

I have seen and heard things at the Toronto Airport Vineyard meetings that appeared odd to me. But life (like Scripture) is full of odd things. In the big picture of God's kingdom and within the acceptable context of any given meeting, does it really matter? I think not.

As a Reformed Presbyterian who has never personally experienced the "spectacular" gifts, I find myself startled at how ...