We continue our interview with Brandon Rickabaugh concerning how Kingdom Triangle has influenced him.
Can you give us an example of how the Holy Spirit's power has been more realized in your life?
This is the area of my life that has been transformed the most as a result of reading Kingdom Triangle. Since being convinced of third wave and kingdom theology I have had a strong hunger to take part in the life of the Spirit, such as spiritual gifts and power evangelism and power healing. Again, to list all of my experiences would take too long, so I will give some general examples.
First, I have begun to understand what some of my spiritual gifts are, and I have started to practice them in a very supportive environment of very mature Christians who are very gifted. This has included praying for the sick as well as learning to hear the voice of God. I have received prophetic words for people I was sharing the Gospel with, which resulted in their reconversion to Christ.
Most profoundly, however, has been how I have been ministered by others who are empowered by the Holy Spirit. One profound case was the first night my wife and I attended a kinship group at the Anaheim Vineyard. At this meeting, during a time when they invite the Spirit to minister, someone received prophetic words, which I knew where for me. Throughout that week I continually had the word "hope" on my mind and the distinct idea that God was telling me I would come into a place where I would no longer hope alone. This was the first time I can remember having such an experience. That night, one individual said that God was telling them that the word "hope" was for someone there and that they where not going at it alone anymore. I acknowledged that it was me and the group gathered around me and prayed for me. Several individuals received prophetic words about me that no one could have known about. That night ministered to me in such a profound way. I knew throughout my entire being that God was with me and intimately involved in caring for and nurturing me. These kinds of experiences continue at our church and kinship group on a regular basis. I have recently written about the most powerful experience of the Spirit’s power I have ever encountered. It would take too much space to explain it here.
Who else has helped mentor your thinking?
My first reading of KT inspired me so much that last summer I devoted three to four hours almost every day to study and prayer. I read nearly every book Moreland referenced in KT as well as Moreland and Issler’s, In Search of a Confident Faith. At the beginning of the summer, I was an LCMS Lutheran and after a few months of study and prayer I was convinced of third wave kingdom theology. This theological shift led me and my newly wedded wife to visit the Anaheim Vineyard, which was only 15 minutes from us. To explain all that God has done for both of us through that church would take up too much space. Suffice it to say that we have both found excellent mentors and friends.
Both pastors Nigel Morris and Craig Lockwood have been two of the most significant mentors in my life. Their friendship, example, and counsel have been an answer to prayers that began at least 11 years ago. The home group that my wife and I have been a part of over the past 8 months has been the most loving and wise group of people we have ever been a part of. Beth Issler has been a wise and loving mentor to my wife as well. The Anaheim Vineyard has been the very first Christian family I have ever really been a part of. I am mentored by so many of them every week.
J. P. and his wife Hope have also been such a strong source of support, love, wisdom, and encouragement to me and my wife. They have so openly invited us into their fellowship and lovingly befriended us. J. P. has given me a great deal of advice, council, and healing prayer. He has ministered to me week after week in such a profound way, through his example, his mentoring council, his joyful presence and humor.
Others that have recently mentored my thinking through their writing have been, Sam Storms, Jack Deere, John Wimber, Derek Morephew, Brennan Manning, Dallas Willard, Ed Piorek, N. T. Wright, William Lane Craig, M. Robert Mulholland Jr., R. T Kendall, and Alvin Plantinga.
What does Kingdom Triangle provide for the Christian philosopher and apologist?
Much of my philosophical training has been at a secular university and, like most schools working in the analytic tradition philosophical issues, it has been most often kept in the abstract. Cultural implications and influence are rarely, if ever, discussed. Kingdom Triangle offers an excellent treatment of the cultural consequences of philosophical ideas. In particular, Moreland does an excellent job of linking both the competing notions of happiness and the experience of rampant anxiety with the prevailing worldviews of naturalism and postmodernism. This provides the Christian philosopher and apologist with a culturally relevant point of contact, where fruitful discussion can take place.
Secondly, Moreland offers philosophical arguments in KT, which are very underrepresented. Most significant for me was his use of Roderick Chisholm’s work on skepticism. The Particularist approach is highly underrepresented in current work in philosophy. I am sure many Christians studying epistemology would not come across this treatment of skepticism, and that is a shame. Moreover, Moreland’s criticisms of physicalism are refreshing in a time where many Christian scholars are abandoning substance dualism. His recent book, Consciousness and the Existence of God, is a must read for any Christian studying philosophy and apologetics. Likewise, KT offers a substantive criticism of postmodern confusions of what constitutes knowledge as well as the nature of truth. These issues are in dire need of attention for today’s church and any Christian studying philosophy and apologetics must be ready to bring this issue to the church as well as the world. Again, with the rise of postmodernism in the church today, Moreland’s thinking is refreshing and highly relevant.
Lastly, KT offers the Christian philosopher and apologist a well thought out reminder to attend to issues of the heart and soul as well as the intellect. Unfortunately, pride is a common trait among those who study apologetics, philosophy and theology. The significance of spiritual formation is a necessary component for every Christian and an often overlooked area for the more intellectually inclined believer. Work in spiritual formation has been a much needed component to my faith. Similarly, Moreland sets forth a case for the restoration of the Spirit’s power that can no longer be ignored by the more intellectual side of the church. If spiritual warfare takes place within the realm of ideas (2 Cor. 10:3-5) where philosophers and apologists spend much of their time, then to ignore the Spirit's power is a very dangerous mistake. KT does an excellent job of bring the authentic life and power of the Spirit to a community of Christians who have been without it for far too long.
