17
effective execution of the Great Commission does not depend upon what is not known as "power
encounters." Or, the biblical writers left out information critical to our obedience to our Lords
commands. The former agrees with the first nineteen hundred plus years of church doctrine. The
latter can not be avoided if Third Wave theology as espoused by C. Peter Wagner is correct. To
depend upon conjecture, speculation, and implication counters Pauls words to Timothy, "All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
and for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16,17)."
Wagners Third Wave intertwines Pneumatology, Soteriology, and Demonology into a
theology consisting of demons, curses, and enslaved souls dead and alive with God requiring
exorcisms to "release" the dead. The New Testament model of Jesus in the gospels is one
focused on the proclamation of the kingdom. Jesus did not use signs and wonders to draw
crowds. Whether it was the woman with the issue of blood or the Gadarene demoniac, the
"power encounters" were incidental to Jesus ministry. In fact, fixation on the demonic is
unscriptural. Wagner readily accepts the testimony of demons. He agrees that, "Every time the
words of a demon are recorded in the New Testament, they speak the truth [emphasis
Wagners]."
66
However, Jesus identifies Satan as the father of lies (John 8:44).
Jesus did not commit Himself to the crowds because he knew their hearts. The people were
only interested in the signs (John 2:23-25). In fact, Jesus said, "Many will say to Me in that day,
,,Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done
many wonders in your name? And then ,,I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from
Me, you who practice lawlessness (Matthew 7:22-23)." Supernatural power does not, in and of
66
Ibid., 69.