Signs and wonders', such as healing and exorcisms, are characteristic emphases associated with the 'Third Wave' of contemporary charismatic renewal, which has been particularly influential in the church, across the denominations and around the world.
Exponents of such emphases claim to reflect a model for Christian discipleship that they find presented in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts by Jesus and his followers, in which 'signs and wonders' are normative for the church today.
Keith Hacking's contention is that Third Wave commentators too often fail to grapple adequately with important historical, literary and theological issues that arise from the biblical text. From an engaging and thorough analysis of the relevant material in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts, he offers an approach that more accurately reflects the evidence and that, therefore, is more appropriate for informing contemporary theology and practice.