SEARCHING FOR THE TRUE BOTTOM LINE

In his early thirties, with a wife and two kids, he was repairing the tail light on the back of a dump truck. Somehow, someone in the cab hit the starter pedal and because it had been parked in reverse gear, the huge vehicle lurched backward and in doing so crushed the repairman against a wall killing him instantly.
It was a devastating tragedy for the family, of course, but it was also something that deeply affected everyone in the small church family. A day or two after the incident a young man came into the church office. It took a few minutes for the pastor to understand what he wanted me, that pastor to do. Finally, after some delay the young man came to the point. He wanted me to lead a group of people down to the funeral home. There, we would stand around the coffin and ask God to bring back to life the one who had so tragically taken from us.
The question to be considered is, why not? If Jesus raised the dead, if Peter and Paul did it, as recorded in the book of Acts, why shouldn’t we? Is it not suggested by some that we follow Jesus’ example? As far as we know Paul had not actually seen Jesus perform such a miracle. But he did not hesitate, nevertheless, to attempt the impossible. Why shouldn’t we not hesitate to do such a thing? So, the chapter of this book is entitled, “WHY NOT?” (Taken from first few lines of chapter one, “Why Not”)(From chapter three- Case in Point)
Once in a dinner meeting with a small group of pastors, I took part in a discussion concerning the matter of exorcism. Our guest was a man whose special ministry was exorcism. He had written books on the subject. I took the opportunity to ask him about the fact that exorcism is not listed among the Spiritual Gifts found in I Cor. 21-14 or Romans 12. After hesitating a moment, he suggested that it is not singled out as one of the Charismata because all believers have the authority to do it when necessary. He did not address the fact that nowhere in the Epistles are all believers said to have such authority, nor are they encouraged to practice exorcism.
The above is a prime example of that which pertains to my thesis. Very often emphasis is given to matters that are not supported by the New Testament Epistles. There is no mention of exorcism in the Epistles, although, admittedly, there is a good deal about spiritual warfare. (taken from the first part of chapter three, “Case in Point.”)
She was a rather attractive woman in her forties, a new Christian, who was fighting a serious battle with cancer. Our church family in New Jersey had fervently prayed for this beloved woman. After several surgeries she was losing her battle. One day a man came to me and said, Pastor, I believe that the reason that the Lord is not healing her is because we are not fasting. It should be a matter of fasting and prayer. In deference to his suggestion we did set aside a day of fasting and prayer. Nothing changed in her situation. And yes, it was a good experience for myself and others. That was many years ago. Now I have refined my thinking to realize that nowhere in the New Testament Epistles are we exhorted or admonished to practice fasting. It was good to just focus on the Lord, putting aside distractions and spending time in His presence.
This now brings me to state again that which is my thesis in this writing. Exhortations, admonitions and instruction for the Christian life today are found in the Epistles (the books of Romans through Revelation). The Epistles present to us the bottom line, that which is normative for our day. Fasting, as a spiritual disciple, is simply not there. (Taken from chapter four, To Fast or Not to Fast, the first part of the chapter)