Strange Fire is a Strong Rebuke

John MacArthur's latest book --  Strange Fire -- offers a strong rebuke against the charismatic movement that many include within the umbrella term of evangelicals.  MacArthur rails against the charismatics as false teachers that purport special revelation from God.  Instead, he argues that their actions area not rooted in Scripture and, in fact, make a mockery of the God from whom they have supposedly received some type of special revelation.

Strange Fire opens with statements from former charismatics that have left "the movement" to join Biblical Christianity.  After a strongly worded introduction, the book is clearly divided into three sections -- the counterfeit revival (some history as to the formation of the charismatic movement), exposing fake gifts (a systematic deconstruction of the tenets of charismatics), and then an exposition as to the true work and nature of the Holy Spirit.  

In using Scripture as the basis of the argument, MacArthur says that charismatics twist or ignore the Bible when it seems to undercut their beliefs.  According to the Gospel of John, the Holy Spirit points others to Christ never self; yet, charismatics exalt the prominence of the Holy Spirit as THE goal to be attained.  Charismatic theology no longer espouses redemption by grace through faith in Christ alone because one must not be "slain the Spirit" or be "filled with the Holy Ghost" as show by tongues, prophecies, or other odd manifestations. 


To say that this book has stirred a controversy, well, that is a huge understatement.  MacArthur's church hosted a conference of the same name that drew barbs from the likes of Charisma magazine (a major publication for the charismatic movement) and charismatic pastors Mark Driscoll and James MacDonald (who showed up at the conference to pass out their own materials).  Blogs on both sides, Tweets and Facebook posts claiming seizure of materials, and articles reporting the issues, only heightened the controversy further.  Whenever these types of things occur, an observe must simply ask this question to really figure it out:   so what?

MacArthur blisters charismatics with statement such as:  "in reality it is a sham -- a counterfeit form of spirituality that continually morphs as it spirals erratically from one error to the next" (xvi).  Yes, he uses strong, stinging, forceful, and confrontational language; however, he backs us his claims with evidence.   For instance, how is it that modern day prophets of the charismatic movement are not held to the same standards as those of Scripture?  How is it that people continually believe the so-called prophets, who speak on behalf of God, that cannot get things right?  If they say "thus says the Lord" but the prophecy is in error, then that means God is not truthful but does contain error.  If He contains error, then Christ could not have been our perfect, redemptive sacrifice.  In other words, this aspect of pneumatology has a direct correlation with soteriology.

Is it possible that the tone of his language has immediately turned off many charismatics?  Sure.   Does the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth need to be spoken?  Yes.  Is this a book worth reading?  Absolutely.  In reading Strange Fire, look up every Scriptural reference for yourself and evaluate whether or not you believe John MacArthur is, in fact, teaching the truth.  As Jesus has said -- "the truth will set you free."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”