Phil Johnson can always be counted on to speak his mind, especially when it comes to postmodernism and the charismatic movement. 
Yesterday’s excerpt from The Spurgeon Archive is no exception:
There are some, and these are generally the most uneducated, who expect to experience remarkable dreams or to behold singular visions.
…
What if you did see anything, or dream anything, what would that prove? Why, prove nothing whatever except that you were in an ill state of health, and that your imagination was morbidly active.
Put such things away, they are superstitions fit for the uncivilized, but they are not fit for Christians of the nineteenth century….
I agree that, for many people, the desire for God to speak to them in visions and dreams is a matter of vanity or laziness (or some combination of the two). I also agree that it’s troubling for people to think such things as “I had a dream where Jesus’ face was smiling at me from inside a waterfall, so I know I’m saved!” However, I see in myself this same desire for dreams and visions today—but not (at least not wholly) for the above reasons.
You see, if God doesn’t speak to us in visions and dreams today, then either the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 was a false prophecy, or “the great and awesome day of the LORD” (v.31, ESV) has already taken place sometime between Jesus’ Revelation to John and our present day.
For me, this is a matter of whether the Bible is true or not. In this post, Spurgeon is basically quoted as saying that we ought not believe the silly little superstitions in the Bible, because we’re Modern, rational men now. In other words, Spurgeon sounds like Richard Dawkins. He’s got “scientific” reasonings that explain away the supernatural. And in the process, he has “changed the truth of God into a lie” (Romans 1:25, KJV) and told us to ignore what the Scriptures themselves testify to.
What is so troubling for me as I read this sermon excerpt is that Spurgeon is touting the modern “wisdom of the world” (“they are not fit for Christians of the nineteenth century“) and contrasting that with what the world considers foolish (“generally the most uneducated… expect to experience [dreams and visions]“). Spurgeon then casts his lot with what the world considers wisdom, and against the testimony of Scripture.
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’” — 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (ESV)
So as much as I’ve benefited from Charles Haddon’s teachings in the past, I have no choice but to say, “Let God be true though (C.H. Spurgeon) were a liar,” (Romans 3:4, ESV)
First of all I do not want to get into an discussion concerning the perpetuity of the gifts. But, first of all, you must realize that this prophecy was fulfilled. Primarily it has to do with the dispersion of the Jews and then their restoration which happened before Christ. And when Peter adapts this to the current situation, it is forward looking also to A.D. 70. So that, much of it was fulfilled before that date. And, if you want to use this verse and its reiteration by Peter, then you must also contend with the rest of the prophecy eschatologically, and spiritually, as to it fulfillment as a type. Now, based on the context A.D. seventy did happen as the Lord and Peter predicted, and since the passage in Joel is indicating that this phenomenon in particular percedes that day, after the restoration from the dispersion prior to the advent of Christ, there is no need for this to be in continuance.
In other words, the last dispersion happened after Pentecost, and Joel’s prophecy, as Peter said was fulfilled.
The burden then is upon you to prove that there must be continnuance for it to be fulfilled. But, since it happened, it cannot be said that it wasn’t fulfilled, even though it doesn’t continue.
So, we can still trust fully in God’s Word, and not have to have everything done according to preconceived ideas. And, since there was not in the Pyro discussion a denial of the fact that God does communicate this way, but merely a denial that it is necessary, or should be sought or can be verified. There is in fact no need for it. That is, God is not bound by it and can use any means beside it, agreed? And, those who claim that it does happened can provide no proof that it does. Still, Elihu’s comment to Job stands true. However, Elihu was a true prophet of God (“one who is perfect in knowledge is here with you”), and contrary to that is the phenomenon that we find in the Charismatic movement where people do not claim infallability. And, beside that, there is no authenticating authority, anywhere. We rejected that with the Reformation and the implicit faith required by the Pope as Vicar of Christ. That is, a unity of doctrine is necessary. Until that is established, my friend, until we all come into the unity of the faith, we will no longer experience a true prophetic voice, (by the way I believe that Ephesians 4 is prophecy, to be fulfilled within the life of the Church, not a possible impossibility that will not occur until the parousia). Ergo, the necessity of the Canon, for now. If you and I can agree as to touching anything on Earth, that is complete, unequivocable unity of doctrine, based in Scripture, then and only then, according to the Lord’s own prescription, will it be granted to us. Until, adieu.
tt
“you must realize that this prophecy was fulfilled”
I take it you’re a Preterist? I’m not, but welcome. And yes, I completely recognize that preterism makes a nice, neat package out of all this. But the burden of proof is on you to establish preterism as the only appropriate eschatological view.