My Review of Strange Fire by John MacArthur

I was excited about reading the book (and reviewing it here), even though his conference by the same name caused quite a stir among many Pentecostals and Charismatics.

As I start this review, let me state I am very, very familiar with John MacArthur's teachings and have read many of his other books and listened to countless sermons of his.  Most of his material is great and I love it; except when he gets on the subject of spiritual gifts, tongues, healing and miracles, and on those subjects I lovingly and respectfully disagree.

When MacArthur stays with scripture, he's an awesome teacher.  But when he closes his mind to charismatics, he also throws out any scriptures that support Charismatics'/Pentecostals' view of miracles as still being for today as well as tongues, etc.

In about 90% or more of this book MacArthur's examples refer to the Word of Faith, TBN or some other false sect of the Charismatic/Pentecostal movement.

Even with the shortcomings cited in the Charismatic/Pentecostal movement, it is usually no more flawed than any other non-charismatic (even cessationist) ministry or church.  Man is flawed and if you look deep enough no one is perfect.  But on the other hand, I am thankful for the many ministers that do represent the Lord in a God glorifying way.

Throughout this book he calls "tongues" gibberish and irrational blabber.  Wow! That seems quite disrespectful and irreverent to call something Charismatics look at as from the HOLY Spirit!  He also calls all healings or miracles that happen when the sick are prayed for as fake. Really, are ALL healing's and miracles that happen in a prayer meeting or through the laying on of hands fake?

Note: I do believe John MacArthur believes God can sovereignly heal or do a miracle today, but it has nothing to do with the gift of healings or miracles as taught among Charismatics.

Based on my reading of this book,  he could have more accurately named it, "Charismatic Chaos II – Exposing the Word of Faith Movement (TBN) in the 21st Century".

All that being said, since he does share some real concerns, I found his book somewhat helpful.  I also found it informative on how a cessationist's mind set works.

Interestingly, it has made me think all the more how precious it is to me to be a conservative Continuationist.

John MacArthur is a wonderful teacher when he sticks to the Bible passages and stays away from this issue, and very possibly a Biblical view called Continuationism as believed by Charismatics.

My recommendations on this subject from a Continuationist's view would be Wayne Grudem's book  "Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" (Covers many doctrines), or his book "Bible Doctrine" (abridged from Systematic Theology).

Also two book that I know of, but have not read, that have been written by Charismatics as a response to John MacArthur's "Strange Fire" are "Authentic Fire" by Michael Brown and "Holy Fire" by R.T. Kendall.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Jesus - You're Too Late!

   Let this devotion minister to and encourage you. 

Please read John 11:1-45 to best understand this devotion.

Martha said - “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11:21

Mary said - “Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died.” John 11:32

Have you ever felt that way, Jesus you're too late - I know I have (more than once)!

Here’s the situation - Mary and Martha called on Jesus to come pray (heal) their sick brother Lazarus and Jesus says, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Then Jesus delays his coming to Lazarus, and when He gets there, Lazarus has been dead 4 days! This is what you call a HOPELESS situation. These were 3 people that Jesus LOVED, yet He let this happen (See John 11:5)! They believed Jesus could have healed their brother Lazarus, but RAISE him from the dead (4 days dead), now that’s another story. When He asked that the grave be opened, Martha said, “.....Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days” - John 11:39. But being the awesome Jesus He is, He raised up Lazarus from the dead AND HEALED HIM. What a sight that must have been!

There is so much in this passage we could do deep studies on and it would take quite a few messages to do so, but today's study is primarily to encourage you to understand, that we have had things in our life die that were a Lazarus to us (these were good things - Jesus loved Lazarus). It might or might not be a person (relationship), it could be a ministry, a business, etc. We had asked Jesus to touch (heal) that relationship, ministry, business, etc., and He said it would be fine, and then the next thing you know the doors are closing and that relationship, ministry or business is over (DEAD and BURIED so to speak). You're saying as Martha and Mary, if you had been here you could have saved this relationship, ministry or business (whatever your Lazarus might be). Why did you let it DIE?! And Jesus says, “Thy brother (relationship, ministry, business, etc.) shall rise again," and like Martha (v.24-27) we try to reinterpret what Jesus is saying. And then when told by Jesus that it’s time to remove the stone from Lazarus' grave, Martha said, "Lord, HE STINKS" (he’s too far gone, don’t bother with him). Is your Lazarus too far gone even for JESUS to raise from the dead!!! Nothing and no one is ever too far gone IF JESUS WANTS THEM RAISED.  Do you have something that you felt Jesus loved, but now is too far gone?  Just know JESUS can raise even the DEAD!

Mother, do you have a son who loved Jesus and Jesus loved him, but now it seems he STINKS spiritually, or a ministry that Jesus' loving hand was on and now it’s gone (or dead), or a business that went under (and you knew Jesus was in this business). This devotion is not to say that ALL will be raised; but if it’s a “Lazarus” to whom Jesus has spoken to you, “Thy brother (relationship, ministry or business) shall rise again,” then don’t try to figure it out, don’t say it’s too late (IT STINKS). Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth .....” And you know when Jesus raised him He also obviously healed him, so whatever killed Lazarus in the first place was GONE! So with you whatever killed your relationship, ministry or business in the first place will be gone when Jesus raises it up from the dead.

Jesus let Lazarus die, so He let something die in your life. Why? So HE could raise Lazarus (it) up for the Glory of God and to Glorify Jesus. Let me tell you, this will get peoples attention! All may have thought that your family member, ministry, business, etc., were history (DEAD), BUT God has said of your Lazarus, "I WILL RAISE IT UP!"

Brother/Sister in Christ has God has spoken to you about something, and told you it’s dead, but I will raise it up then obey JESUS when He tells you to Roll back the stone and get READY as Jesus is going to do some raising up!

Mother, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a spiritually dead son.

Wife, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a spiritually dead husband.

Minister, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a dead ministry.

Businessman, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a bankrupt or closed business.

Don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up something or someone.

Remember fellow Christian you obey JESUS by removing the stone, but JESUS is the only one that RAISES FROM THE DEAD!

Remember these closing 5 words:  JESUS  IS  NEVER  TOO  LATE!!!