Some theologies propose a strong cessationism, the belief that the special gifts of the Spirit ended with the New Testament age. This position is motivated by a desire to curb abuse of charismatic gifts. While this is an understandable aim, the majority of Christian traditions recognize that such spiritual gifts are available in every age (a position sometimes called continuationism) and that we must respond to the abuse of gifts not with a denial of those gifts but with discernment.
