DID THE HOLY SPIRIT RETIRE? THE PROBLEM WITH CESSATIONISM Ryan Denton on Charismania, Cessationism, Impressions, Miracles, and the Leading of the Holy Spirit Fake healings. Phony prophecies. Televangelists demanding seed money. Reformed Christians have plenty of good reasons to reject charismania. But have we reacted so strongly that we have driven into the ditch on the other side? In this episode, Pastor Joseph Spurgeon and Zach Krugler sit down with Presbyterian pastor and evangelist Ryan Denton to examine cessationism, what Denton calls “hyper-cessationism,” and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Did the closing of the canon mean God stopped leading His people through extraordinary providence, impressions, dreams, remarkable answers to prayer, or miracles? Can a Christian ever say, “I believe the Lord led me to do this”? How do we distinguish the Spirit’s leading from emotion, imagination, or indigestion? And what did the Reformers, Puritans, Scottish Covenanters, and Westminster divines actually believe? Denton argues that some modern Reformed Christians have adopted a form of cessationism stricter than the historic Reformed position. The conversation tackles the difference between canonical revelation and other forms of divine guidance, the danger of binding another Christian’s conscience with “God told me,” and the need for an experiential Christianity rooted firmly in Scripture. The goal is neither charismania nor cold rationalism. Christians have the completed, sufficient Word of God, and they also have the living Holy Spirit dwelling within them. CHAPTERS 00:00 Speaking in Tongues and $777 Seed Money 00:47 Has Reformed Theology Overreacted to Charismania? 03:00 Did the Holy Spirit Retire? 03:54 Ephesians 1 and the Promised Holy Spirit 05:21 The Important Taco/Sandwich Debate 06:07 Introducing Ryan Denton 07:35 What Is Classical Reformed Cessationism? 10:14 Hyper-Cessationism and the Westminster Tradition 12:28 The Spectrum from Charismania to Hyper-Cessationism 16:54 The Biblical Case for Cessationism 21:37 Spiritual Warfare and the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 25:05 Where Did Hyper-Cessationism Come From? 28:19 Materialism and Modern Reformed Theology 30:44 Can Christians Say, “The Lord Told Me”? 31:27 John Flavel’s Remarkable Dream 36:31 The King’s Council 38:39 “God Told Me I’m Going to Marry You” 40:23 Fallible Christians and Divine Impressions 41:30 How Does the Holy Spirit Lead Christians? 45:40 Does Divine Guidance Mean New Scripture? About the Show The Patriarchy Podcast features in-depth conversations on faith, culture, theology, and leadership. Each episode equips Christians to live boldly and biblically in an age of compromise—exploring the challenges and opportunities of standing firm for truth in the modern world. Support the Mission We’re still raising funds to expand Sovereign King Academy and keep tuition affordable for families. Want to invest in the future of Christ’s Kingdom? Give here: https://sovereignkingacademy.com Connect with The Patriarchy Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePatriarchyPodcast Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/58tm5zjz Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/f3ruzrsa Website & All Links: https://linktr.ee/thepatriarchypodcast Follow Joseph Spurgeon: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatriarchyPodcast X/Twitter: https://x.com/PatriarchyPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepatriarchypodcast Gab: https://gab.com/thepatriarchypodcast Sponsored By Steadfast Cigars – For men who reject passivity and take dominion Order: https://steadfastcigars.com/ Fit Father Project – Dr. Balduzzi built the Fit Father Project to help men stop drifting, reclaim discipline, and get strong for life. If you're ready to take ownership of your health, don’t wait. This is the first real step toward lasting strength—for your body, your family, and your legacy. Start: https://secure.fitfatherproject.com/a/transformation/4539 Books by Joseph Spurgeon: It’s Good to Be a Boy – https://a.co/d/7zpEh5D It’s Good to Be a Girl – https://a.co/d/6VlBTzS Final Call to Action Subscribe for more conversations that sharpen men for battle. Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. Like and share to support biblical masculinity. cessationism, Holy Spirit, hyper cessationism, Reformed theology, Ryan Denton, spiritual gifts, miracles, charismania, charismatic movement, continuationism, Reformed cessationism, biblical cessationism, leading of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit guidance, impressions from God, God told me, hearing from God, dreams and visions, prophecy, gift of prophecy, gift of healing, speaking in tongues, miraculous gifts, sign gifts, apostolic gifts, Westminster Confession, Westminster divines, Puritans, Reformers, Scottish Covenanters, John Knox, John Flavel, BB Warfield, John MacArthur, Strange Fire, charismatic theology, Pentecostalism, experiential Christianity, extraordinary providence, providence of God, answers to prayer, spiritual warfare, Ephesians, sufficiency of Scripture, canon of Scripture, revelation, Reformed Christianity, Presbyterian theology, pneumatology, work of the Holy Spirit, grieving the Holy Spirit, quenching the Holy Spirit, The Patriarchy Podcast, Joseph Spurgeon