"These Signs Will Accompany Those Who Believe": A Response to John M. McDermott, S.J.

Abstract

ABSTRACT:This article contends, in response to John M. McDermott, S.J., that healings and other supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit are essential to the Church's life and mission. Explaining why this is the case entails a reexamination of important questions raised by McDermott's article: Is love a charism? Does Jesus' commission to evangelize in Mark 16 belong to the canon of Scripture? Is faith necessary for the recipient of healing? Are death and sickness due to sin? It also entails overcoming false dichotomies, such as the opposition posed between dogma and experience, institution and charism, apologetics and demonstrations of the Spirit's power. The Church today, as in every age, is called to evangelize with accompanying signs that demonstrate the inbreaking of Christ's kingdom.