Jack Deere is a former professor at Dallas Theological Seminary who became a key proponent of the Vineyard Movement, Latter Rain theology, and the teachings of John Wimber. Deere’s transition from a cessationist background to charismatic theology marked a significant shift in his approach to Christian faith, particularly in areas related to spiritual gifts, prophecy, healing, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. His theology, influenced by the Latter Rain movement and the teachings of John Wimber, diverges in several ways from confessional Christianity.
Key Beliefs and How They Differ from Confessional Christianity
1. Beliefs about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
- Jack Deere's View: Deere teaches that all the spiritual gifts described in the New Testament, such as prophecy, tongues, healing, and miracles, are still available to and should be actively practiced by the church today. He emphasizes the importance of experiencing the supernatural and believes that the power of the Holy Spirit is meant to be demonstrated through miraculous signs and wonders in the life of every believer.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity, particularly Reformed theology, generally holds to a cessationist or cautious view of the miraculous gifts, believing that the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit (such as tongues, prophecy, and miraculous healing) were primarily for the apostolic era and served to confirm the foundation of the church and the authority of the apostles (Hebrews 2:3-4; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10). The Westminster Confession of Faith emphasizes that the ordinary means of grace, such as preaching the Word and administering the sacraments, are the primary ways God works in the church today.
2. Beliefs about Prophecy and Modern Revelation:
- Jack Deere's View: Deere believes that God continues to speak to believers today through modern prophets, and he teaches that prophecy is a normal part of the Christian experience. He encourages believers to be open to hearing God’s voice outside of Scripture, through impressions, visions, and dreams. Deere's view aligns with the broader teachings of the Latter Rain movement, which advocates for the restoration of the prophetic ministry within the modern church.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity holds that Scripture is the final and complete revelation of God’s will (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches that God’s revelation is sufficient and that no new, authoritative revelations are being given today. While God may guide believers through providence or impressions, these experiences are always subject to the authority of Scripture and should not be regarded as new or binding revelation.
3. Emphasis on Power Evangelism and Healing:
- Jack Deere's View: Influenced by John Wimber and the Vineyard Movement, Deere emphasizes "power evangelism," which teaches that the gospel should be accompanied by demonstrations of God’s power through healing, prophecy, and miracles. He believes that these signs and wonders validate the message of the gospel and make it more effective in reaching unbelievers. Deere has also taught that physical healing is available to all believers as part of the atonement and that Christians should expect God to heal in response to faith.
- Confessional Christianity: While confessional Christianity acknowledges that God can and does perform miracles, it teaches that the primary way the gospel is advanced is through the preaching of the Word (Romans 10:14-17) and that signs and wonders were not meant to be normative for the ongoing life of the church. The Westminster Confession of Faith emphasizes that the Holy Spirit works through the ordinary means of grace—preaching, sacraments, and prayer—to bring people to faith and maturity in Christ.
4. View of Apostles and Church Government:
- Jack Deere's View: Deere, influenced by Latter Rain teachings, suggests that God is restoring the offices of apostles and prophets to lead the church in the modern era. He teaches that these individuals have unique authority and gifting to equip and direct the church, similar to how the early church was led by the apostles.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity teaches that the office of apostles was unique to the foundation of the church and ceased with the death of the original apostles (Ephesians 2:20). Reformed theology holds that church government should be led by elders and deacons, not by modern apostles or prophets. The authority of the church is rooted in Scripture, not in contemporary claims to apostolic or prophetic office.
5. Emphasis on Personal Experience over Doctrine:
- Jack Deere's View: Deere often prioritizes personal spiritual experiences and encounters with the Holy Spirit over adherence to established doctrine. He encourages believers to seek direct experiences of God’s presence and power, often suggesting that these experiences can be more impactful than simply studying theology or doctrine.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity values personal experiences of God’s grace but emphasizes that doctrine and theology are foundational to a proper understanding of God and His work in the believer’s life (Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:2-4). The Westminster Confession of Faith asserts that all experiences must be tested by Scripture and that sound doctrine is essential for guiding the Christian life.
Summary of Differences
Jack Deere's teachings, influenced by the Latter Rain movement and the Vineyard’s charismatic practices, emphasize ongoing prophecy, supernatural experiences, healing, and the active presence of all spiritual gifts. His approach prioritizes personal encounters with God, the restoration of modern apostles and prophets, and "power evangelism," which often blurs the line between personal revelation and the authoritative teaching of Scripture.
In contrast, confessional Christianity upholds the sufficiency and finality of Scripture, the cessation of the apostolic and prophetic offices, and the centrality of the ordinary means of grace (preaching, sacraments, and prayer) for spiritual growth and the advance of the gospel. While Deere’s approach appeals to those desiring a more experiential and charismatic expression of faith, it lacks the biblical grounding, doctrinal clarity, and emphasis on the authority of Scripture that are central to Reformed theology and historic Christian orthodoxy.