Robert R. Gonzales Jr. is the academic dean and a professor of Biblical Studies at Reformed Baptist Seminary. Dr. Gonzales is a graduate of the Reformed Baptist School of Theology, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also holds an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. in Old Testament Interpretation from Bob Jones University. He is a contributor to The Reformed Baptist Theological Review and The Founders Journal, as well as a member of the Evangelical Theological Society.
In 2009 Gonzales wrote a series of articles on the seminary blog, arguing for the Cessationists position on sign gifts. These articles are based on his teaching series for an adult Sunday school class. Gonzales does not want to merely make a case for Cessationism, rather he wants to do it in a spirit of humility, acknowledging that there are good men representing each of these positions. When teaching this series in the adult Sunday School class, he placed framed photographs of D. Martyn-Lloyd Jones, John Piper, and a well-known and loved Reformed Baptist missionary on the pulpit so that they were visible to him and to his audience. He wanted to present the case for cessation as if these highly esteemed men who are not Cessationists were present.
In part 1, he does a brief survey of convictions held by Christians in the past and briefly explains the three positions that are held by bible-believing Christians today. In Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this series, he argues for the cessation of Scripture quality revelation with the completion of the canon. In Part 5, he clarifies the point of debate, namely, whether NT prophecy and tongues should be placed in the same class as Scripture quality revelation. In Part 6, he provides the reader with an overview of the position of Wayne Grudem, a leading advocate of Continuationism, as well as his main arguments. In Part 7 and Part 8, he presents arguments in favor of viewing NT prophecy and tongues as belonging to the same species of revelation as canonical prophecy. Then in Part 9 and Part 10, Gonzales attempts to address common objections raised against the Cessationist position. Finally, in Part 11, he concludes with some words of commendation, caution, and exhortation addressed to those on all sides of this debate.
If you have never come across a learned defense of Cessationism, then this series of articles would be very helpful for you. Gonzales fares not only in his scholarship, but also in his humility. Whether you agree with Gonzales or not, his combination of astuteness and humility makes this article series a delightful and educative experience for any serious student of Scriptures.
