For the month of September, we've been pursuing a biblical understanding of spiritual gifts ... the charismata, or "grace-gifts," as they are called. Below are a few resources that I am using, including books, articles, and even a few sermons.  The listing is by no means exhaustive or extensive.  And just because it's listed does not mean that everything within the book or sermon or article is endorsed or agreed-with.  So keep your Bible open and your brain engaged and be led by the same Spirit you hope to better understand in your study!

Some BOOKS

The best and most thorough treatment of 1 Corinthians 12-14 is D.A. Carson's Showing the Spirit. It's a series of lectures turned into a book, so it reads like classic Carson, but more "listenable."

A great introduction to and explanation of the 'continuationist' position (that the gifts of tongues, miracles, etc continue into our time), along with an overview of all the related issues, is in Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology.  Check out chapters 52 & 53 especially. Grudem's book is a must have, whether you have a systematic theology or not.

I'm cruising Sam Storms book which is a spiritual gifts primer called The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts.  He is a "continuationist" and his website is www.enjoyingodministries.com.  Jury is still out on the book and his views, as I haven't finished it yet.

For a 'cessationist' position (that the gifts of tongues, miracles, etc have ceased to continue in our time) there's Richard Gaffin's Perspectives on Pentecost. There's also John MacArthur's Charismatic Chaos which I read some years ago.  MacArthur, a cessationist, exposes the excesses and abuses of the "charismatic movement" (which, if you think about it, isn't too hard to do) but I don't hold with him on why the gifts have ceased.

Some COMMENTARIES

Anthony C. Thiselton, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, New International Greek Testament Commentary

David E. Garland, 1 Corinthians, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, The NIV Application Commentary

Some FREEBIES

Some great sermons are John Piper's on gifts (generally), and here as well, and on Romans 12 and faith (make sure to check out all 3 parts). 

If you have the time for a 6 part series, here's Mark Driscoll's look at the gifts when he preached through 1 Corinthians in 2006, "Christians Gone Wild." Insightful in addressing our Corinthian culture.

Finally, there's an article by Vern Poythress, who is solidly reformed and incredibly detailed.  He deals with the continuation of gifts from a cessassionist position ... a man at war with himself!  This is not for the "faint of heart" readers, but if you read the latter portions of the paper first, it may help, so that you know where he's going.  Poythress is a website buddy with John Frame ("Main Frame"), and their website is A MUST KEEP on your bookmarks for future reading, research and just some downright biblical and building stuff.  Frame's Evangelical Reunion, out of print, is downloadable from here, free!!!  Just follow the link and scroll down to the second book and begin downloading (and remember, always read the preface!).