An Indian Bible scholar has urged the Asian church not to follow the path of rationalism within the Western church, but instead seek to recover the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
From October 17 to 21, the Asia 2022 Congress gathered about 600 Christian leaders from across Asia in Bangkok, Thailand under the theme of "Rethinking Church and Mission: God’s Agenda for Today". It was convened jointly by the Lausanne Movement in Asia, the Asian Evangelical Alliance, and the Asian Theological Association.
On October 20, Finny Philip, the principal of Philadelphia Bible College in India, shared three points: "Why We Need to Restore Supernatural Power", "What We Need to Restore" and "How to Restore" in a Plenary Seven themed “Recovering the Supernatural”.
Dr. Philip pointed to the need and urgency of restoring supernatural power to the indigenous churches of Asia. Firstly, he found there is scholarly skepticism regarding claims about the seismic shift of the Holy Spirit movement. Many scholars doubt the authenticity of supernatural experiences claimed by the churches of the Southern Hemisphere. They question the growth of Christianity in that area because that growth merely reflects the general growth of the region's entire population. They warn believers to be wary of Southern Hemisphere Christian theology, some even claiming outright that its power is not from Christ.
Secondly, he pointed out that reductionism and western syncretism continue to govern our mindset, dominating how we read and understand the Bible and how we are to live as Christians.
Thirdly, the concept of one Jerusalem versus multiple “Jerusalems” continues to exert influence. He pointed out that the indigenous Asian church's Holy Spirit movement emerged years before that in Europe and North America, but it has always faced challenges from the "one-center" view. The classical Pentecostalism of the first wave, the Charismatic movement of the second wave and the Neo-Charismatics of the third wave have permeated the theology of the indigenous churches in Asia. They continue to influence how believers worship, practice their faith, and spread the Gospel.
Dr. Philip then shared that facing these forces of Western nationalism, the Asian church should restore three aspects of the supernatural: The first is to restore a broader comprehension of prayer and spiritual warfare. Dr. Philip found that the third wave of Neo-Charismatics brought reductionism into the church, reducing all to a narrow understanding of prayer and spiritual warfare. He urged the Asian church to recognize that spiritual warfare is multi-dimensional. Prayer brings not only healing but also personal and regional transformation.
The second is to restore the spiritual gifts of healing, prophecy, dreams, and vision. The scientific worldview since the Western Enlightenment has left little room for the supernatural. People have pluralized the interpretation of supernatural facts and spiritual experience has been restricted to specific places and time such as in church on Sunday. He used a local church example to emphasize that the church should break these limitations when availing itself of its spiritual gifts.
Third, citing Craig Keener's book, Dr. Phillip stated that the church needs to lead believers back to spiritual hermeneutics, which is experiential, missional, and eschatological. He quoted Dr. Keener: "The phenomena observed in the book of Acts is similar to what is being seen throughout the world in the global Charismatic movement. What is seen in these cross-cultural experiences as well as the New Testament is the contextualization of faith and the challenging of modern notions that have dismissed the demonic and the miraculous.”
He encouraged the local church “to use the hermeneutics of trust against the hermeneutics of suspicion when approaching the Bible”. Sensing the spiritual truths witnessed in the biblical narrative can be transferred to the spiritual experiences of people today.”
Dr. Philip shared that to restore the supernatural, the Asian church today should first rethink the church of the New Testament era and let the church become a habitus nurturing the supernatural.
The places that served as churches during the Apostolic period mostly were an atrium-house, a non-elite domestic space above a shop, a carpenter’s shop, commercial and dwelling places, etc. He said: "I'm not talking about house churches. I'm talking about the home as a place to practice theology. If that becomes a space nurturing the supernatural, it has the opportunity to both mentor as well as to allow spiritual gifts to move within the church.”
Dr. Philip also suggested that the church should build up an ecosystem of leadership that nurtures the supernatural. He said Ephesians 4:1-16 shows us that Jesus bridged the natural and supernatural and gave an ecosystem that encompasses the fivefold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers.
He added: “I'm not talking about hierarchy, I'm not talking about titles, I'm not talking about positions. I'm talking about an ecosystem in which five or any other multiple work together for the building up of the church.” “Let’s be natural in our own being and expect the supernatural in the church.”
In closing, Dr. Philip encouraged all participants to seek for the supernatural to become alive throughout the Asian church.
2022年10月17日至21日，来自全亚洲600名基督教领袖齐聚泰国曼谷，参加主题为“重思教会与事工：上帝给今天的议程”（Rethinking Church and Mission: God’s Agenda for Today）的“亚洲2022大会”（Asia2022 Congress），从三个方面见证了亚洲教会的健康发展：活力、团结和深度。
超自然依然是亚洲主流世界观中非常重要的一面，任何发展迅速的教会都是圣灵能力一次次彰显所带来的突破。本次大会第七次全体会议以《恢复超自然能力》（Recovering the Supernatural）为主题，探讨如何令亚洲教会更好恢复超自然的权柄和能力，如何构建教会的敬拜和神学，令圣灵恩赐可以在教会中顺利运行，在超自然领域与新约完全接轨。
北印度菲拉德尔菲亚圣经学院校长芬尼·菲利普（Finny Philip）和专注伊朗服事的以拦事工(Elam Ministries)执行主任大卫‧叶格纳扎(David Yeghnazar)针对该主题先后做了演讲。
其中芬尼·菲利普牧师从“为何需要恢复超自然能力”、“恢复什么”及“怎么恢复”三方面分享，指出当下教会所面临的挑战，鼓励今日教会要突破过去几年年西方流行的理性主义的冲击，努力追求圣经性所记录的圣灵的超自然恩赐。
为什么需要恢复超自然能力？
菲利普牧师以全球语境中的超自然讨论为基础，指出亚洲本土教会恢复超自然能力的必要性和紧迫性。
首先，他观察到学术怀疑主义者对南半球教会中所出现的超自然事件的真实性持怀疑态度。圣灵运动在全球发生剧烈性转移，超自然现象从北半球转向南半球，许多学者怀疑其可信度，警告信徒要警惕南半球基督教神学甚至直言其能力并非来自基督。与此同时，学者质疑南半球基督教发展不过是该地区全体人口增长的结果，而北半球则可以在世俗化和新生儿减少的冲击下，依然保持信徒人数稳定。
其次，还原主义和西方融和主义依然主导人们的思维模式。他指出，亚洲本土教会非常重视人类存在中的超自然维度，但亚里士多德主义特别是希腊哲学中的罪论以及托马斯·阿奎那的思想已成为基督徒默想的基本范例，西方融合主义的思维模式主导着我们如何阅读和理解圣经，以及作为一个基督徒该怎样生活。
最后，一个耶路撒冷超越多个耶路撒冷的观念仍在发挥影响力。他指出，与新约教会有很大的相似之处，亚洲本土教会的圣灵运动比欧洲北美还要早几年出现，但始终面临“一个中心”观点的挑战。第一次浪潮的古典五旬节派，第二次浪潮的灵恩运动，和第三次浪潮的后灵恩运动，渗透进亚洲本土教会的超自然神学中，持续影响着信徒如何敬拜，践行信仰，和传播福音。
恢复什么样的超自然能力？
随后，菲利普牧师提出问题：我们要恢复的超自然能力是怎样的，他从三个方面进行了阐述：
第一，祷告和属灵争战
第三次灵恩浪潮将还原主义带入教会，祷告和属灵争战的概念被压缩到狭隘的理解中。他敦促教会要认识到，属灵争战涉及方方面面，祷告不只带来医治，也能带给个人和地区全方位的改变。
第二，圣灵的医治、预言、异梦和异象的恩赐
西方启蒙运动以来的科学的世界观，几乎不为超自然留下任何空间，人们将超自然事实进行多元化解释，理性高于感性，伦理道德被处境化，神学和证道理性化，属灵经验也被限制在教堂和主日等特定的时间地点中。他强调教会要打破这些限制。
第三，属灵释经学（spiritual hermeneutics)
菲利普牧师引用克雷格·基纳（Craig Keener）的书籍指出，教会要带领信徒恢复属灵释经。属灵释经是经验性的，这是与上帝的属灵经历和读经的核心；它也是传教性的，属灵叙事可以为传教赋能；同时属灵释经要求信徒带着末世临在的感受读经。
他引用基纳博士的话说，“使徒行传中观察到的现象与全球灵恩运动中在世界各地看到的现象相似。在这些跨文化经历以及新约圣经中，我们看到了信仰的语境化，以及对剔除恶魔和神迹的现代观念的挑战。”他鼓励本土教会要用“信心的释经学”克服“怀疑的释经学”，让信徒接近圣经，感受到圣经叙事中见证的属灵真理，将其转化为个人的属灵体验。
超自然体验引人归主的2个阶段是什么？
随后，菲利普牧师接着讲到超自然体验引人归主的二大阶段；
首先，属灵体验让人接受四个基本事实：耶稣是医治者、释放者、供应者和保护者。耶稣医治他们的肉体，在家庭经济社会等各个方面提供支持，保护他们的生命、牲畜、农业、财物不被剥削或破坏，从社会压力中释放他们，让他们成为被看顾的群体。
第二，在第一阶段的基础上，信徒对耶稣的信仰将从功能性转向基督本体：耶稣会成为他们的救赎主、生命的主人、至高上帝。也就是说，并不能仅仅局限于第一阶段让人体验到耶稣的能力，更重要的还有第二个阶段，要从体验到认识、接受耶稣的救主、个人的主和上帝：
1，耶稣作为救赎主
耶稣成为唯一一个可以拯救他们脱离自己罪恶的人，因为耶稣曾在生活各个方面帮助他们：精神，肉体，物质和社会。
2，耶稣作为主人
如果耶稣医治，释放，供应，保护，并且饶恕了他们的罪，给他们平安喜乐，那么他就比万有都伟大，值得敬拜。
3，耶稣作为至高神
因为耶稣的爱和看顾，带来平安和安全感，以及他超越之前所信奉神袛的能力，使他们能够将祂奉为至高上帝。
怎么样恢复超自然能力？
菲利普牧师对于今日亚洲教会如何恢复超自然能力提出来2点：
首先，教会要成为培育超自然能力的居所。
使徒时期作为教会的地方多类似穹庐，商店上面的私人居所，木匠商住两用的工作室等，他说，“我不是在谈论家庭教会，我说的是家，说的是神学的实践。如果这里可以成为培养超自然的空间，就有机会指导和鼓励属灵恩赐在教会内流动。”而新约时期展现出来的教会特质，可以很好指导并发展信徒对超自然能力的渴望和信心。
其次，教会要建立能够培育超自然权能的领袖生态系统。
以弗所书4章1-16节向我们展示出，耶稣将自然和超自然联系在一起，建立起包含使徒、先知、传道人、牧者和教师这五重职事的系统。他说，“我不是在谈论等级，不是在谈论头衔，也不是谈论职位。我说的是一个生态系统，在这个系统中，所有五个人或多个人能一起为教会的建立做工。”他鼓励全体与会者，“让我们一起期待超自然的能力，这对教会来说本就是自然而然的事情。”
问答环节：
随后，另一位演讲者大卫‧叶格纳扎(David Yeghnazar)就哪五个方式显示耶稣今天仍活在我们中间的话题进行了演讲。会议最后，菲利普牧师和另一位演讲者大卫‧叶格纳扎(David Yeghnazar)回答了与会者提出的相关问题。
问题一：亚洲整体宗教化程度较高，人们易于接受超自然现象，但同时也带来挑战，人们会偏向神迹奇事，忽视门徒训练，该如何应对？
菲利普牧师：关键问题在于经历超自然体验后，如何进行门徒培训。以我自己的经验来讲，往往要花费长时间带领这些人学习圣经，8个月到1年左右，之后再受洗。提到洗礼让我想到迫害带来的两方面影响，一方面迫害确实伴随更多的神迹，另一方面，迫害给人们接受洗礼带来压力，因为受洗意味着完全脱离主流社会。
问题二：使用超自然圣灵恩赐的五重职事非常混乱，甚至成为了领袖和教会结构的一个难题，有没有什么可行的建议？
菲利普牧师：恩赐可以覆盖和保护教会，不误入歧途。对于五重职事的建构，不要只从结构上去看问题，而要从本体论上解决问题。亚洲神学的教会论要在这个方面努力。
叶格纳扎：不管是什么恩赐，都要在基督里成为一体。教会要教导信徒的是，要成为一体。如果教会不承认、忽视、不使用这些恩赐，拥有恩赐的人很可能会出走，自己使用这些恩赐，那么情况会更混乱，甚至危险。
问题三：西方启蒙运动带来的科学的世界观，令超自然没有立足之地。这是我们正在失去超自然能力的原因吗？如果是的话，怎么才能恢复？
菲利普牧师：二元主义、西方融合主义等都在影响我们的思维模式，我们要恢复圣经性的世界观，认识到上帝如何真实地来到我们这里做工。
叶格纳扎：问题中提出的猜想有部分是正确的，但要看到的是，非基督徒世界也在重新发现超自然现象，甚至在西方也是如此。希望教会最好不要落后于非基督徒。
问题四： 21世纪福音派需要辨别超自然的可信度吗？毕竟其他宗教也有超自然现象发生，该怎么处理？还有一些地方教会并不相信超自然依然存在，又该怎么做？
菲利普牧师：其他宗教确实也有超自然事件，但据他的经验，伴随圣灵带来的超自然经验的是，一个人生命的转变。生命的转变是关键。
特写| 洛桑2022亚洲大会第七次全体会议(上)：亚洲教会不要走西方教会理性主义的老路 恢复圣经性的超自然体验
An Indian Bible scholar has urged the Asian church not to follow the path of rationalism within the Western church, but instead seek to recover the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
From October 17 to 21, the Asia 2022 Congress gathered about 600 Christian leaders from across Asia in Bangkok, Thailand under the theme of "Rethinking Church and Mission: God’s Agenda for Today". It was convened jointly by the Lausanne Movement in Asia, the Asian Evangelical Alliance, and the Asian Theological Association.
On October 20, Finny Philip, the principal of Philadelphia Bible College in India, shared three points: "Why We Need to Restore Supernatural Power", "What We Need to Restore" and "How to Restore" in a Plenary Seven themed “Recovering the Supernatural”.
Dr. Philip pointed to the need and urgency of restoring supernatural power to the indigenous churches of Asia. Firstly, he found there is scholarly skepticism regarding claims about the seismic shift of the Holy Spirit movement. Many scholars doubt the authenticity of supernatural experiences claimed by the churches of the Southern Hemisphere. They question the growth of Christianity in that area because that growth merely reflects the general growth of the region's entire population. They warn believers to be wary of Southern Hemisphere Christian theology, some even claiming outright that its power is not from Christ.
Secondly, he pointed out that reductionism and western syncretism continue to govern our mindset, dominating how we read and understand the Bible and how we are to live as Christians.
Thirdly, the concept of one Jerusalem versus multiple “Jerusalems” continues to exert influence. He pointed out that the indigenous Asian church's Holy Spirit movement emerged years before that in Europe and North America, but it has always faced challenges from the "one-center" view. The classical Pentecostalism of the first wave, the Charismatic movement of the second wave and the Neo-Charismatics of the third wave have permeated the theology of the indigenous churches in Asia. They continue to influence how believers worship, practice their faith, and spread the Gospel.
Dr. Philip then shared that facing these forces of Western nationalism, the Asian church should restore three aspects of the supernatural: The first is to restore a broader comprehension of prayer and spiritual warfare. Dr. Philip found that the third wave of Neo-Charismatics brought reductionism into the church, reducing all to a narrow understanding of prayer and spiritual warfare. He urged the Asian church to recognize that spiritual warfare is multi-dimensional. Prayer brings not only healing but also personal and regional transformation.
The second is to restore the spiritual gifts of healing, prophecy, dreams, and vision. The scientific worldview since the Western Enlightenment has left little room for the supernatural. People have pluralized the interpretation of supernatural facts and spiritual experience has been restricted to specific places and time such as in church on Sunday. He used a local church example to emphasize that the church should break these limitations when availing itself of its spiritual gifts.
Third, citing Craig Keener's book, Dr. Phillip stated that the church needs to lead believers back to spiritual hermeneutics, which is experiential, missional, and eschatological. He quoted Dr. Keener: "The phenomena observed in the book of Acts is similar to what is being seen throughout the world in the global Charismatic movement. What is seen in these cross-cultural experiences as well as the New Testament is the contextualization of faith and the challenging of modern notions that have dismissed the demonic and the miraculous.”
He encouraged the local church “to use the hermeneutics of trust against the hermeneutics of suspicion when approaching the Bible”. Sensing the spiritual truths witnessed in the biblical narrative can be transferred to the spiritual experiences of people today.”
Dr. Philip shared that to restore the supernatural, the Asian church today should first rethink the church of the New Testament era and let the church become a habitus nurturing the supernatural.
The places that served as churches during the Apostolic period mostly were an atrium-house, a non-elite domestic space above a shop, a carpenter’s shop, commercial and dwelling places, etc. He said: "I'm not talking about house churches. I'm talking about the home as a place to practice theology. If that becomes a space nurturing the supernatural, it has the opportunity to both mentor as well as to allow spiritual gifts to move within the church.”
Dr. Philip also suggested that the church should build up an ecosystem of leadership that nurtures the supernatural. He said Ephesians 4:1-16 shows us that Jesus bridged the natural and supernatural and gave an ecosystem that encompasses the fivefold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers.
He added: “I'm not talking about hierarchy, I'm not talking about titles, I'm not talking about positions. I'm talking about an ecosystem in which five or any other multiple work together for the building up of the church.” “Let’s be natural in our own being and expect the supernatural in the church.”
In closing, Dr. Philip encouraged all participants to seek for the supernatural to become alive throughout the Asian church.
Indian Bible Scholar Appeals Asian Churches to Recover the Supernatural, Free From Impact of Western Rationalism
