Frank Viola | Beyond Evangelical

Official Blog of Author & Speaker Frank Viola. Digging below the surface and moving beyond the shallows in today's Christianity.

POURING HOLY WATER ON STRANGE FIRE

A critical review of John MacArthur’s Strange Fire & Charismatic Chaos.

Strange Fire: A Response

What follows is the Table of Contents and Endorsements.

The cover design was created by Ryan J. Rhoades of ReformationDesigns.com.

Contents 

1. Why I’m Making This Critique Available

2. Broken Fellowship Over a Peripheral Doctrine

3. Commending & Criticizing MacArthur’s Charismatic Blasting

4. Did the Sign Gifts Cease During the Age of the Apostles?

5. The Scriptures and the Power of God

6. The Relationship Between Truth and Experience

7. Revelation Misunderstood

8. Interpreting the Bible by the Spirit and the Intellect

9. The Third Wave

10. Does God Still Heal Today?

11. What About Health and Wealth?

12. Did the Apostolic Ministry Really Disappear?

13. That Thorny Gift of Tongues

14. Five Big Questions

15. A Challenge & Request

Appendix: Does the Bible Replace the Role of Supernatural Gifts?

ENDORSEMENTS

“Frank Viola offers a clear, concise, and penetrating response to the harshest expression of hard cessationism today, while at many points also inviting readers to greater biblical fidelity and a deeper walk with Christ.”  

Craig Keener, Professor of New Testament at Asbury Seminary

“Strange Fire has re-ignited a debate among Christians that will likely never be fully resolved this side of heaven. But the dialogue need not be characterized by angry and divisive rhetoric. While we should all aim for theological clarity and understanding, we should as readily be concerned for Christ-like charity and unity. Frank Viola’s insightful analysis of MacArthur’s rejection of charismatic theology and practice should contribute immensely to our growth in grace and a deeper understanding and experience of the Spirit’s work in the church today. One need not agree with Viola on every point to profit greatly from this work.”

Sam Storms, Ph.D., Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OK

“What a great, edifying read! This is not only an effective, concise rebuttal to Pastor MacArthur’s Charismatic Chaos and Strange Fire, but it presents a Jesus-exalting, faith-building case for the continuance of the New Testament gifts of the Spirit, replete with excellent, inspirational quotes.”

Michael L. Brown, Ph.D., author of Authentic Fire: A Response to John MacArthur’s Strange Fire (December, 2013)

“Strange Fire has ignited a debate on the issue of Christian experience that at times has generated more heat than light. Frank Viola’s contribution avoids the unhelpful rhetoric of some, and demonstrates his biblical convictions. Viola rejects the extreme views of many who are charismatics or cessationists. This critique will definitely help you understand the perspective of one who could be called a moderate charismatic.”

Adrian Warnock, adrianwarnock.com

This book is now only part of Frank’s Titan. You can check it out here.

Category:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hello! Is there any chance you might republish this book, Frank, (Even just as an eBook?), given its now only available in your Titan Collection, which had limited copies? I’ve just been through Strange Fire and I’ve read only resounding praise for your response, so you can understand my interest!

    • When the second Titan is published in the future, people can order it and get the electronic version of the first Titan as a free gift (we had the electronic version made after the hard cover, not before). Not sure when that will happen, though. Maybe in several years.

  3. Frank, thanks for this book. I’m wondering about something: most people who disagree with McArthur are “charismatics” (I mean: people who believe in the continuation of the gifts and use them), and most of those who agree with him are non-charismatics. Do you know of any charismatics who would publicaly disagree with others about certain things, or in this case, some non-charismatics who would disagree with (at least some of) McArthur’s? I think of Rob McAlpine, but don’t see any others.

    • Charismatics disagree with each other all the time over various things. For instance, Michael Brown doesn’t agree with Joseph Prince on many subjects. Both are charismatic. There are thousands of other examples. And many non-charismatics disagree with MacArthur’s fundamentalism, his view of women in ministry, his eschatology, etc. Anyways, to the point, what did you think of my critique of MacArthur’s two books?

      • First, I must say that I did not read McArthur’s 2 books. Concerning your answer: there are many strengths in your books: it’s precise, well documented and researched, accurate, and also measured and humble. What makes it good is that it is rooted in the scriptures and theologically adequate.
        You say in the intro that the charismatic movement is an easy target, and that is my point: there is not enough people from within who publicly disapproves with things like the health & wealth gospel, latter rain theories, shepherding movements/domination practices, etc, who are again and again coming back in different forms. I appreciate that you talk about those false teachings in your books. Coming back to my first comment, I believe it’s much needed from “Charismatic” voices. I believe the reason most “charismatics” (again, equal believe in the continuation of the gifts and use them) in my area (European country) who becomes non-charismatics do so because they are not strongly rooted in the scriptures and think “if gifts equal latter rain, I’d better quit everything”.

        • Actually, there have been many charismatics in recent times who have spoken about those excesses. Michael Brown, David Wilkerson, John Piper, and countless others have spoken against the excesses in the movement at different times. All of them believe in the gifts.

  4. I am unable to pay for this from Canada, it seems. At least on this website.

    Does anyone know how I can get it?

    • You can pay for it anywhere in the world. You can use a Paypal account or credit card. The company Paypal handles both. If you have trouble for some reason, call them: 1-402-935-2050 (if calling from outside the U.S.)

  5. I fully admit that I’m a little biased on this one. After all, what would you expect from a fourth generation Pentecostal? But even with that disclaimer, I thought Frank Viola did a masterful job in his critique called Pouring Holy Water On Strange Fire.

    Viola’s book is a critique of John MacArthur’s book Strange Fire, in which MacArthur attempts to make the case that the way Pentecostals and Charismatics advocate and practice their faith is unscriptural. MacArthur would fall into the camp of the cessationists, who claim that all of the operational gifts of the Holy Spirit enumerated in the New Testament ceased when the apostles died, or when the canon of Scripture was closed. I’ve always found this a strained argument at best, or as one man says, one needs to do “exegetical origami” to reach the cessationists’ conclusion.

    Frank Viola systematically critiques Strange Fire thought-by-thought, section-by-section. He does so fairly and academically, using respected Bible commentators, the writings of Church fathers, logic, personal examples, as well as other respected contemporary voices who express similar concerns against MacArthur’s arguments.

    This is a good book for any student of the Bible to read. It’s not a lengthy tome, so you will not get bogged down in reams of academia, but you will be able to weigh the evidence that both cessationists and Pentecostals use.

  6. Thanks Frank! Years ago when I was a newer Christian I had purchased the Charismatic Chaos book. I could not even finish reading it as it repulsed me so much. Even my young Christian spirit discerned it was not truth. So, he’s at it again? I look forward to reading your critique!

  7. I love your e-book Frank. To believe in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit for today — is one thing and it’s a very good thing. But truly selfless biblical exercising of these gifts is quite another thing – wonderful, but very rare and very precious to the Lord. As we learn to submit together to the Holy Spirit as well as to one another in all aspects of life — and especially in gatherings, we will grow to levels of maturity and humility that only comes by repentance and receiving the grace of God through Christ. The New Testament teaches us that all of a Christian’s life, including our church life (as portrayed in 1 Cor 12 and 14), is to be fully led by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit-led way of life should be especially evident in all gatherings of Christians. Being fully submitted to the Holy Spirit as the true Leader of our meetings precludes any system of one-man control. But a more complete application would further prevent the common practice of small groups where individuals seem to take turns asserting themselves to act as “pastors” or temporary leaders. Why is it that most have resorted to continue to hold human-led meetings rather than function together biblically as the Body of Christ with the Lord as our Head? Could it be that we have rejected the main point of 1 Cor 14? –that nothing meaningful is accomplished through man trying to lead — even in exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit — unless we continually yield all our personal agendas and self-will to the Lord. Thank you Frank for all you do.

  9. Good morning Frank. Per your suggestion, I tried to post my Matt 10, 1 John 3:6 question on Phil Johnson’s Broad Brush blog and on John MacArthur’s Answers His Critics blog. In both cases my post has not shown up in the list of viewable comments and I have received no response. Blog posts that were presented after I sent in my questions have been published, but not mine. I have sent follow up queries, and there has still been no response.

    Do you think that there us there something about the nature of my question that could account for this?

  10. Thank you for writing this digital book and offering it for free until the 18th. I’m reading it now, and it’s good. The tone is christlike, and that makes it a refreshing change from some stuff I’ve read online in the wake of the conference. Thank you!

  11. I love your e-book Frank. To believe in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit for today — is one thing and it’s a very good thing. But truly selfless biblical exercising of these gifts is quite another thing – wonderful, but very rare and very precious to the Lord. As we learn to submit together to the Holy Spirit as well as to one another in all aspects of life — and especially in gatherings, we will grow to levels of maturity and humility that only comes by repentance and receiving the grace of God through Christ. The New Testament teaches us that all of a Christian’s life, including our church life (as portrayed in 1 Cor 12 and 14), is to be fully led by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit-led way of life should be especially evident in all gatherings of Christians. Being fully submitted to the Holy Spirit as the true Leader of our meetings precludes any system of one-man control. But a more complete application would further prevent the common practice of small groups where individuals seem to take turns asserting themselves to act as “pastors” or temporary leaders. Why is it that most have resorted to continue to hold human-led meetings rather than function together biblically as the Body of Christ with the Lord as our Head? Could it be that we have rejected the main point of 1 Cor 14? –that nothing meaningful is accomplished through man trying to lead — even in exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit — unless we continually yield all our personal agendas and self-will to the Lord.

  16. Thank you for your insights. They are a cup of cold water in a dry parched land of spiritual rhetoric

  18. My prayer is just that you would receive a 1000 fold return for this blessing to your brothers and sisters Frank. The heart of Abel is the correct approach to our AWESOME GOD! In a respectful manner I loved reading the critique and just letting the appropriate “terror” of God’s goodness toward His people (Ex 33:19-20) wash over me.( re: page 44, There is something in God which is “like” emotion. God feels something “like” our love ) Oh! God is SO good.

  19. Thanks Frank. I don’t and can’t remember anyone who have taught me as much as you have. God bless you!

  20. Thanks for this Frank. I did not read McArthur book, but one thing I realized while reading your critique: There is one biases of the charismatic “movements”, maybe the biggest I’ve experienced in 7 years in those circles, that I’ve almost never seen addressed.

    There is a legalistic thought that you must achieve levels, so to speak, to reach God’s presence, or breakthrough, or something else you want. It looks like a video game. the levels are being achieved by spiritual (supernatural) disciplines: 4h of prayer = +1 level, speaking in tongues 1h = +1 level, etc. Speaking in tongue is achieved at level 3, level 10 unlock the ability to cast out demons, level 24 unlock the ability to rise a dead people. You see what I mean? I know it’s not only in charismatic circles, but it’s not because “others do it as well” that it’s not an issue.

    Have you ever written about that? I’ve not seen this issue addressed.

    • I’ve never seen this kind of thinking in any charismatic person or church I’ve ever met or known. But there are so many groups that I’m sure some people view things this way.

  21. Frank,

    Thank you for your teaching and ministry. I look forward to reading your rebuttal to John MacArthur.
    Personally, I’ve always thought he sounds angry and kind of mean in a self-assured way.

    I have operative gifts of the Spirit. It doesn’t matter what he or anyone else claims – that the gifts ceased. I have them, others do too. Any one who claims that the gifts ceased is flat out wrong. It just means they don’t have some of the more noticeable ones or clearly supernatural ones.

    While there has been a lot of foolish & “non-Scriptural” behavior in the charismatic movement, deception, and personal puffery — that doesn’t negate the fact that the Holy Spirit still gifts many people for powerful, usually behind-the-scenes service, including addressing pastoral needs, prayer, and sometimes spiritual warfare.

    And I don’t self-identify as being charismatic. Much of that movement as I’ve seen it in the USA is embarrassing. So in that sense, I can appreciate someone criticizing aspects of it, but painting all of us as basically being wrong or whatever (I need to read your critique or rebuttal), is foolish and just as misguided as the more hysterical expressions of charisma.

  25. Ok here goes. Matt 10 Jesus commands his disciples and the 72 heal, cast out demons and raise the dead. The Great Commission says we are to teach people to obey EVERYTHING He commanded. So refusing to do this would be disobedient and sin. 1 John 3:6 says if we engage in ongoing and intentional sin, we do not know Jesus. So if I continually and intentionally refuse to teach people to do as He commanded in Matt 10, do I not know Jesus, ie am I not saved?

    This argument was made to me by a man who has a healing ministry. He knew about the Strange Fire conference and what MacArthur said about most Charismatics not being part of the Body. He made the above Biblical argument and then asked me to consider who is really not part of the Body. do not know what to make of this.

    • This would be a question for cessationists, especially those who are emphatic that the “great commission” is to be followed to the letter by every believer. Let us know what they say in response to your query.

    • SC,

      If I may, I would like to throw my 2 cents down regarding what you wrote.

      In Ephesians 4:11 – 16, we see how Christ has given callings and action gifts (verbs not nouns)for the specific purpose of bringing His Bride into the fullness of knowledge of Him. I really like that about Him.

      I mention this because I have had several, SEVERAL (whew!) dealings with cessationists who I honestly believe are born-again and sons through The New Covenant, but who cannot seem to wrap their heads around the supernatural Holy Spirit and His amazing present-day ministry.

      Here’s where Ephesians 4:11 – 16 comes in.

      While it would be so, so easy to dismiss these people as possibly unsaved and more along the lines of Matthew 7:21 – 23, I would rather err on the side of grace and keep a patient attitude towards them, in the hopes they might see there is nothing evil, wicked, nor demonic about The Holy Spirit and His gifts. We are, all of us, priests and ministers through Christ Jesus, not only to The World but to one another within The Bride. Patience, long suffering, tolerance, and gracious love are needed to keep unity on the essentials and not allow the enemy to paint a picture that is not reality, in regards to how we relate one to another in Christ.

      In simpler terms, just bear with those who would speak against The Spirit and who claim to be believers. It’s His Name, not ours, that is being challenged. It is His ministry, not ours, that is being called into question. It is His Truth, not our applications thereof, that these people have issue with. He can surely deal with them as He will, in His own way. As to us, let us just remain calm, rational, and unflappable.

      It is a shame indeed when those of us within The Bride need to become apologists/evangelists to those also within The Bride. But it is what it is.

  26. I read the whole book this morning. Twice. A wonderful job. Clear, concise, pointed but not vitriolic, and well documented and supported. You taught me so much that I did not know. I can not thank you enough.

    BTW, I posted a Scriptural question on one of your other blogs re Strange Fire. It had to do with Matt 10, the Great Commission and 1John 3:6. I did not see it come up on the blog, and you did not respond to my questions. Can you please explain.

    Thanks again.

  30. Thanks Frank. I will order one tonight. Yours will be my resource for anyone asking for common sense information on this topic.

  31. Frank, I downloaded your book and paged through it. I am really exicted about the scope and all the internet links. I definitly will read this on a device with internet access. I think that this will have many uses. I wonder if it will be OK if I print a few (5) copies of chapter 10 (for instance) and use it as a handout in a small bible study that I lead. Thanks for your faithful follow thorough on such key topic.

  32. I am looking forward to reading this manuscript. Our search for understanding and knowledge should never cease. Let it All to His glory.

  36. Thank you for making this available Frank. I look forward to reading it. Is it possible to put a subheading just above the instructions for the offer? It was almost lost between Adrian Warnock’s endorsement and the footer bolded in grey. Again thanks.

  37. Your generous offer is much appreciated. May this book provide clarity and blessing to many, to the end that Jesus will be seen and known.

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