Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship

Written by John F. MacArthur

Narrated by Maurice England

In Strange Fire, bestselling author and pastor John MacArthur chronicles the unsavory history behind the modern Charismatic movement.

What would God say about those who blatantly misrepresent His Holy Spirit; who exchange true worship for chaotic fits of mindless ecstasy; who replace the biblical gospel with vain illusions of health and wealth; who claim to prophesy in His name yet speak errors; and who sell false hope to desperate people for millions of dollars?

The charismatic movement has always been a breeding-ground for scandal, greed, bad doctrine, and all kinds of spiritual chicanery. As a movement, it is clearly headed the wrong direction. And it is growing at an unprecedented rate.

From the Word of Faith to the New Apostolic Reformation, the Charismatic movement is being consumed by the empty promises of the prosperity gospel. Too many charismatic celebrities promote a “Christianity” without Christ, a Holy Spirit without holiness. And their teaching is having a disastrous influence on a grand scale, as large television networks broadcast their heresies to every part of the world.

In Strange Fire, MacArthur lays out a chilling case against the modern Charismatic movement that includes:

• Rejecting its false prophets.
• Speaking out against their errors.
• Showing true reverence to the Holy Spirit.
• Clinging to the Bible as the inerrant, authoritative Word of God and the one true standard by which all truth claims must be tested.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Nov 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781400206360

John F. MacArthur

Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker. He has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren. John's pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in seven countries. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly two thousand English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, and digital recordings by John MacArthur. John is chancellor of The Master's University and Seminary and has written hundreds of books and study guides, each one biblical and practical. Bestselling titles include The Gospel According to Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, Slave, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.

Reviews for Strange Fire

[Carl Gilles · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I appreciate the research put towards this book. While I agree with some of what is in there, I found the author too bashful of other denominations as though his is the best. I would have also preferred that he started with facts and then give his opinions instead of the other way around.

[peter nieman · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

More balanced approach as opposed to very rigid, dogmatic and a very aggressive tone. Well meaning but overly harsh—no grace here for a man who calls his ministry “Grace to you”

[Zoran Dzoic · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book, I'm glad I found it, I will come back to it for sure, as it clearly proves that pentacostal movement is sadly a disgrace for christianity. I agree with everything he said except for his heresy about the fact that we can lose our salvation. He claims that it is impossible to lose it, but Jesus said in a parable in Luke 19 that lazy servants will be condemned on the day oglf judgement. So go ahead, bury your talent and try to be saved. Thanks for the great book.

[Anete · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Compelling. Eye opening. Trustworthy. Author honors the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

[Heather King · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this! I have read the book and now listen to the audio version and still learn so much! John MacArthur sticks with the Bible and that is why I trust him in his teachings. He does not swerve left or right but stays on the narrow path. Even when others may attack him, he remains true to the Word and that is what this world needs. sola scriptura!

[Ray · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every pastor, every seminary student, and every Christian HAS TO read it. A must read!

[Benoy Raj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Eventhough Johnny Mac uses very strong language against the movement, he is true in most cases. Every Christian should read it whether or not he agrees to what JM is saying.

[Joshua White · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Simply unbiblical, arrogant and uninformed. One wonders how someone can claim to espouse "sola scriptura" whilst simultaneously denying large sections of Scripture in defending their faulty assumptions. We are called to "eagerly desire spiritual gifts", and "not quench the Spirit". Sadly this is all Macarthur does. Even the most coherent cessationist scholars confess to there being no biblical basis for this view, and instead admit that the Bible speaks clearly about the ongoing work of the Spirit. Macarthur is a false teacher and I advise everyone to avoid this Bible denying heretic at all costs. Please read Michael Brown's response to this embarrassing book from what I can only describe as a Spirit quenching pharisee.

[MaricioBiblos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredibly uplifting. (Translated from Spanish)

[Acua · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mackarthur clearly exposes the false doctrines and false teachers of today, being uplifting for the true Christian. (Translated from Spanish)

[hgbutchwalker · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a sharply criticized book but it primarily points to the rampantly unbiblical word of faith movement, which needs to be exposed as heretical. He does address charismatics who preach the true gospel but his biggest argument to them is that they are lending credibility to the Benny Hinns of the world.
You may not agree with every word but you should read this book.

[sparkleandchico · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I should probably state upfront that I am a MacArthur fan, although I don't agree with all of his views. I read "Charismatic Chaos" a few years ago and found it really helpful in trying to find the correct path through the maze of charismatic confusion that seems to be everywhere. I remember being astonished by just how much error had crept in to mainstream evangelicalism and even into what I had thought were trusted sources. I shouldn't really have been surprised as of course the confusion is predicted in the Bible but the enemy is clever in his schemes.

"Strange Fire" is an updated and in my view more comprehensive read than "Charismatic Chaos." It addresses the issues of modern day tongues speaking, prophesy, health and wealth prosperity teaching and healing ministries. MacArthur uses scripture to definitively show how the "gifts" being exercised in charismatic circles and now even in mainstream churches bear little or no resemblance to the true gifts experienced during the New Testament era. He leaves no room for confusion or doubt clearly stating a Biblical position on each topic.

In perhaps his boldest move he concludes by writing an open letter to continuationist Pastors and Preachers in mainstream evangelicalism (including John Piper who is frequently quoted) encouraging them to effectively "get off the fence." He details the damaging effect that holding a continuationist position is having on the attempts to stem the tide of charismatic chaos.

I highly recommend this book to anyone involved in a charismatic church or one that is sympathetic to charismatic practice. Also to anyone who is or has become confused about any of these issues due to experiences they or others have had. This book will provide clarification and help from the only worthwhile source; the Bible.

[robsumrall · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

John MacArthur doesn't pull any punches. He thinks the charismatic movement is dangerous. Strange Fire is his plea with the modern church to rethink the Charismatic Movement through the lens of Scripture.

MacArthur always writes with clarity. Strange Fire is no exception. MacArthur builds both a biblical and historical case against the Charismatic Movement. He goes all the way back to the start, tracing the the suspect origins of the movement. He follows the line through the heretical thought of E.W. Kenyon and those that followed him to develop the Word of Faith Movement. Hardly any television preacher is left unscathed by MacArthur. Like I said - he doesn't pull any punches.

This book is a must-read today. Any believer, whether conservative, liberal, or full blown Pentecostal, will benefit from this book. The explosion of the Charismatic church in the developing world as well as here in the U.S. makes this subject one of utmost importance. If you are a proponent of the charismatic movement, MacArthur will challenge your thinking. If you are a skeptic, MacArthur will help you understand what is at stake. If you are against the Charismatic Movement, MacArthur will arm you with biblical information that will help you warn others against the excesses of the movement.

Did I mention that MacArthur doesn't pull any punches? He even takes a swing at one of my favorite authors, Wayne Grudem. Grudem's Systematic Theology is a staple in my library. I give them away to young preachers like Tic Tacs. I think it is a phenomenal work that should be read and digested by every believer. But Grudem is open to the continuation of the charismata, and MacArthur firmly believes that is an untenable position. In fact, MacArthur ends the book with an open letter to his brethren that still view the gifts as operative.

Overall, I think this book is strong. If it has a flaw, it's that at times it is too strong. MacArthur can be guilty, in my opinion, of writing in a scathing fashion. I sometimes wonder if he wouldn't help his cause more my writing in a more pastoral tone.

Still, this book is excellent and I highly recommend it!