The Problem of Old Wineskins

Today’s Old Wineskins

Today, the Holy Spirit continues to be poured out with supernatural signs and wonders worldwide as Christianity continues to grow at accelerated rates. Even in some of the darkest corners of the world, Christianity is currently growing at unprecedented rates. But not all regions are experiencing growth.

Today’s “old wineskins” are, for the most part, the churches of Europe, North America and other westernized nations, many of which may outwardly appear to be new, modern, and contemporary, but inwardly are still “old wineskins” because they no longer preserve the work of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, neither can the work of the Spirit any longer preserve these churches. Thus, the dichotomy—Christianity continues to grow steadily worldwide, while in the West, it remains in a state of freefall.

Scholars and experts agree a major reason for this is because the Western church has forsaken a supernatural God. When people come to Christ in the emerging world, much like the apostle Paul, whose words came in demonstration of the Spirit and power, church leaders provoke their imaginations with something they can see, hear, and experience. While in the West, all we offer is talk, good morals and politics. Philosopher Peter Kreeft called this “the master heresy of our civilization…a loss of belief in the supernatural.” J.D. King, Director of World Revival Network, calls it “abandonment of the miraculous.” Call it what you will, the problem is old wineskins.

Why Westerners Reject the Supernatural

But not all Western church leaders reject the supernatural for the same reason. Some, like the Sadducees, cling to old powerless, cessationist doctrines. Others, influenced by a secular, scientific culture simply do not believe. Still others, believe Spirit manifestations actually hinder the work of evangelism. While still others live in abject fear of the supernatural. Jesus certainly encountered such in his own ministry. His miraculous works were severely limited in certain cities and regions because of their unbelief. He also addressed the doctrinal error of the Sadducees when he said, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” (Mk 12:24 NLT) Thankfully, many church leaders today are ditching old cessationist doctrines and, in light of scriptural and historical realities are adopting Pentecostal, charismatic and continualist beliefs. Unfortunately, many do so in name and theory only, not in practice.

Tags: problem, wineskins

Category: Spirit, Spring 2018