Journey from Charismatic to Reformed

Description

Across the landscape of practices and teachings within the church, there are many pitfalls for the unwary. Sylvester Konteh’s initial commitment to Charismatic practice and teaching gave way when he began to identify discrepancies between this and the Scriptures. In this book he uses his own experience to demonstrate how the Reformed faith is a safer way.

Chapter topics include critiques of tongues, prophecies and healings, as well as a welcome presentation of the true work of the Holy Spirit in the church today and the Reformed approach to worship and the interpretation of Scripture.

Pastor Konteh has admirably succeeded in his stated aim — to highlight and correct the errors, in belief and practice, of the movement he is addressing. Although he does so with commendable brevity, clarity and cogency, one especially notable feature of this work is that it is marked by evident and sincere pastoral concern.

This concern is no doubt heightened by the partly autobiographical nature of the book — some of which must have been quite painful to live through. We heartily pray that the book will fall into the hands of those pastors and teachers who most need to read it, to release both them and those who hear them from these errors and their consequences.

— Rev Kenneth Stewart, Minister of Stornoway Reformed Presbyterian Church

Rev Sylvester Konteh exposes Charismatic errors through clear biblical teaching, pairing rich Reformed theology with an experience of failed prophecy, tongues, and exorcism from his time in the Charismatic movement. This engaging read will help those in the Charismatic movement see the riches of Biblical, Reformed, Christianity.

— Rev Romesh Prakashpalan, Minister of Zion Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg, VA

Pastor Konteh’s testimony and journey to the Reformed faith is a clear indication that God can change people. I was impressed at Pastor Konteh’s humility to share his past errors in order to help those who are still trapped in these movements. I was impressed at his scriptural critique of our Charismatic, Pentecostal and Word of Faith brothers, of which I was once a part.

Few people enjoy confronting others, knowing we often will receive in return hostile responses from hard hearts, but confronting others with the right spirit is the evidence of our love, and according to Scripture it is something that must not be neglected. ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend’ (Proverbs 27:6). Pastor Konteh’s testimony is interesting, and I love the way he uses the objective truth of Scripture to show that his past experiences were not valid. This is a relevant and good work for those needing answers in the church today.

— Rev Edrissa Colley, Teaching Elder, Presbyterian Church in the Gambia