My name is Tyrell Haag. I am a pastor at a church plant called Heritage Baptist Church in Johannesburg North, South Africa. After the Lord graciously saved me at the age of seven, through various trials and blessings He worked in my life to the end that in 2004 I began working as a Youth Pastor in Johannesburg South Africa.
At the end of 2007 I was called as a student Pastor to Constantia Park Baptist Church where I work with a wonderful eldership and under a godly pastor, Martin Holdt. At the end of 2008 I was called as an associate Pastor at the same Church and continued to serve there. In the beginning of 2011 the Lord laid it on my heart to, along with a friend of mine, plant a church in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, so we began services at Heritage Baptist Church on the 2nd of January 2011.
I have a Honours degree from the Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa, I have also done course work for a Master’s in Nouthetic (Biblical) Counselling. I have a passion for apologetic and polemical issues. I enjoy theology so much as it brings glory to my Saviour Jesus Christ. My personal confession of faith is mostly in keeping with the “1689 Baptist Confession”. In 2014 I began my work on a Masters in Systematic Theology
I long to see the gospel permeate South Africa, and I am convinced of its power to change lives and bring real hope. It indeed is the power of God unto Salvation (Romans 1:16). It is my prayer that by God’s decree the majority of people in South Africa would be converted, either by the slow progress of the gospel or by sudden revivals that God sees fit to bless parts of the earth with in HIS-story.
The Lord has seen fit to use me on various TV and radio programs, at the moment I do a Q&A every Friday on Radio Pulpit. I also preach two sermons for a weekly radio show called ‘Word to the World’. I live with my beautiful wife and three kids Together we strive to see the gospel make progress in our country, To God alone be the Glory.
Called. Convicted. Converted. 
Hi Tyrrell
Thankyou for your email, much appreciated. We will chat about that some time. I saw your blog address at the end of your email so I thought I would have a peek.
My only comment on your article is that I believe that “cessationism” is an inconsistent hermeneutic. Firstly, an abuse of tongues, healing etc does not mean that tongues or healing does not exist. You should perhaps look at doing some wider research before you reach a final conclusion. My experience is that there are responsible charismatic churches and christians (and some irresponsible evangelicals – KJV only etc!). Because a bakery may sell burned breadrolls does not mean that all breadrolls are inedible. In the same way the hyper Calvinistic doctrine of double presdestination and all the speculation that can come with that (supra lapsarianism etc) does not mean that election is now a false doctrine or does not exist.
Secondly, I cannot see anything in the biblical text indicating that these gifts would cease in this age. (Certainly not when I look at the book of Acts or Paul’s ministry). There may have been periods where certain supernatural gifts were more prevalent and then died out somewhat and then were revived again, but if you are to apply a consistent hermeneutic it would be stretching things from 1 Cor 12, 13 and 14 that tongues would cease in the “apostolic age”, rather than in the context which indicates the age to come, when hope and faith will also cease. I would say that straining cessationism out of 1 Cor 12, 13 and 14 is on the same level as the claim that all must speak in tongues from reading those chapters!
Thirdly, some of the reformed christians, like the Puritans were not cessationists (Richard Baxter for instance who believed in prophecy). In addition some exceptional theologians and preachers like Wayne Grudem, DA Carson, John Piper and Martyn Lloyd Jones would also disagree with you in a pretty big way.
My feeling is that excluding the more supernatural gifts limits ones own effectiveness in ministry. At the end of the day each person must be convinced in their own mind. I would urge you to read more widely and take more time before you reach a final conclusion.
Blessings on the way
Bernard
Thanks Bernt, it would be great to chat sometime, I am really excited that you are now at Mondeor, you are often in my prayers, and it is always a joy to see you when I get the chances. If I may respond to what you said regarding cessationism, and please take this in the tone of friendly Christian discourse as iron sharpens iron
Cessationism is not a hermeneutic, what you would be saying is that you disagree with the historical-grammatical hermeneutic. Cessationism is the doctrine systematically affirmed by a number of Scriptures taking into account the historical grammatical nature of text, as well as the nature of progressive revelation. I don’t think on should say the supernatural gifts continue based upon ones own alleged experience of them either, so a argument would not be because I or other people supposedly experience them. In my own personal journey I went from an extremist in tongues to a more along the line calm ‘biblical’ tongues guy, mostly under the influence of men like Jack Deere, as in his book ‘Surprised by the Holy Spirit’
Talking about hermeneutics one should obviously interpret Didactic literature (IE the Epistles) in a different way from narrative (ie Acts), so to read Acts and then gather that it is normal for the Church would be a bad hermeneutic. Furthermore, where in Acts does anyone but an Apostle or someone like Stephen (one instance) who was a close associate preform and miracle, healing or wonder (Acts 2:43, Acts 4:30-33, Acts 5:12, Acts 6:8, Acts 7:36, Acts 14:3-4, Acts 15:12, Romans 15:19). Then when one reads the rest of the New Testament, it always says that the signs followed the apostles, or was to attest to the word of the apostles (Acts 3:6 Acts 5:12-16 Acts 8:6-7 Acts 28:8, 2 Cor 12:12). I am not the biggest advocate of the when the perfect has come passage, however if you admit that it seems to have died for a time, then you would have a problem with the word ‘cease’ in reference to tongues, since the Greek word and its passing implies to suddenly stop and not reoccur.
To that cessationism is one the same level as the teaching that all must speak in tongues is I think a bit invalid since cessationism is built on a number of passages, not on a concept.
Some reformed Christians do not hold to cessationism (note: Baxter was not actually reformed), however, has Piper ever allowed prophecy or tongues as I assume you would accept it? Has he ever witnessed genuine tongues? Piper said regarding this, “I confess that as far as I can remember there has been no question in all my preaching ministry that has caused me more heart-wrenching uncertainty. ” He added in another sermon regarding the gifts continuance, “My answer is yes, but not in the same measure that the apostles experienced this miraculous power” However the Scripture to talk about a shift of power level is no where. What about, Clement of Rome, Justin Martyr, Origen, Chysostom, Augustine, Edwards, Calvin, Luther, Wesminster Confession, Spurgeon, MacArthur, Sproul, Boice?
I have no problem with working together with those who have a sensible and and ‘biblical’ view of the gifts, even John Piper, praise the Lord for him, I would link arms and fight for the gospel with that man, and anyone else who like myself may merely be striving his best to be God honoring. I have read numerous articles defending the gifts, I like to think I read widely, perhaps you could recommend others, or read some cessationist (or almost any church document save a few from before 1900) books.
Where I must disagree and sometimes cause contention is when young Christians during an alter call are forced to try and speak in tongues, when prophecies are given about the expansion of a persons ministry and God’s coming blessing a few months before their death, where people are encourage to march and tear down strongholds in an area instead of fast/pray/evangelize, where the explicit ministry of the church, and the lives of those brought with Christ’s blood are in danger of quickly falling into sentimentalism and abuse. I am sure you would agree with that. As John Piper said on this very issue, ” Oh, Lord, forbid that we should lose our Biblical bearings; forbid that we become trendy or faddish and begin to substitute the sand of experience for the rock of revealed truth. Show us the fullness of the power of the gospel, Lord, and keep us from preoccupation with secondary things, no matter how spectacular”
Hi Tyrell
okay, regarding your last comment which now dissappeared.?
When I speak of “a hermeneutic”, I mean more the application of the Historial-Grammatical hermeneutical approach. Most evangelicals would now follow that approach to interpretation.
I believe that cessationism is an inconsistent exegesis or an inconsistent application of the historical grammatical interpretation of the text.
Also, regarding gifts resurging and then sort of being less prevalent. There were groups and individuals throughout church history who experienced the supernatural gifts.
Then lastly regarding Richard Baxter. he certainly would broadly fall under the category of “Puritan.”
As for pressure to speak in tongues. I whole heartedly agree with you that it is utter nonsense to practice that sort of thing. I am not trying to defend any of those abuses as I have myself been on the receiving end.
Blessings
Bernd
Hey SuPeR T
I just wanted to say:
KIRSTEN WAS HERE! 😉
Hey hey! Finally found your blog 🙂
Hey Tyrell! Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting.
I like your blog’s new look, by the way. Looks cool!
Renate
Hey Bro…
Yes, been reading your blog…interesting clip from the Tube on the growth of Islam…anyway, will post something more meaningful sometime soon.
Chat @ Church.
Thanks for the visit
Hi Tyrell, thanks for your words on Assurance very helpful. Cheers Grant
Hi Tyrell,
I’d like to link to the articles you’ve written lately regarding worship. I’d like to also post a profile of you, including a mugshot and a one paragraph description of who you are, what you believe and where you minister.
For an example check out http://markpenrith.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/spirit-and-truth/. At the bottom I’ve profiled John MacArthur and John Piper. I’d like to do that for more South Africans.
(When you going to drop the feature into my inbox)?
In Christ,
Mark
Hi Mark
Looks good. SO I assume you need me to send you a mugshot?
With regards to the feature for your inbox, I have been a bit swamped lately, bit will try to get one to you bu next week Friday. Did we decide on a topic, or are we sticking with the more general idea of ‘glory of God and joy of believer’?
Hey man, i like your blog. I’m at a church in Pinetown (KZN) and myself and two other guys are going to be preaching a short series entitled “Look to the cross” in a few weeks time. Would you mind if we used your image (https://tyrellh.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/cross.jpg) of the cross as part of our ppt?
Thanks man.
Adrian
Hey Adrian
Sorry for getting back to you so late.
Thanks for the encouraging words
Yes, please feel free to use it