Charismatic Chaos

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

Where are charismatics leading the church? Are signs and wonders happening today? Does God promise a health and wealth gospel? Is experience a valid test of truth?
Now, in Charismatic Chaos, John MacArthur takes a penetrating look at today's charismatic movement. With seasoned wisdom, he targets critical differences between charismatic and non-charismatic Christians. But he doesn't stop there. "My principal concern" writes MacArthur, "is to call the church to a firm commitment to the purity and authority of the Scriptures, and thereby strengthen the unity of the true church."
To tough questions that seem to divide, Charismatic Chaos provides tougher answers that strive to unite.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction

308 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

John F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.

Reviews

[David S. T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another reviewer summed it up pretty well, this book is biased (but what do you expect from the title). The purpose of this book is to prove that charismatics are wrong and he takes the most extreme examples to prove his points. This does make for an entertaining read, but as someone who was raised in these types of churches, from my experience the majority of what he says never happens or were pretty rare events. He makes it seem that most Pentecostals rely solely on spirit revelations but from my experience most of the ones I know study and memorize scriptures. The 3 stars is because regardless of his biased views this book was very interesting and I won’t argue that there are some crazy things certain charismatics believe, some of my family members are so sold into the Word of Faith movement that I think its dangerous and with little biblical support.

One of the things I’m struggling with is the biblical basis for the cessationist view, even though I grew up in charismatic churches, I’m at a point where I’m not 100% sure that what they believe are spiritual gifts (ie speaking in tongues) are the same as today as they were in the early church. MacArthur quickly points out the errors in the hermeneutics of the word of faith movement, but I question if he has the same problems with his interpretations of 1 Cor. 12-14. I kind of feel perhaps he’s so against continuation, it changes the clarity of the text. Another example he gives is that Paul doesn’t mention the Spiritual gifts in later texts such as 2 Cor. and Romans, but does the absence really prove anything? Paul only mentions the Lord’s Supper in 1 Cor., should we then suppose that Communion became irrelevant after that? I don’t pretend to know anything about this, but I think that perhaps MacArthur might be putting God in a box to prove his views.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

MacArthur's systematic treatment of Pentecostalism, the Third Wave Charismatic Movement, and the Word of Faith movement, in Charismatic Chaos, is written forthrightly and ominously--published in 1992, one could only expect the movement to grow as fantastically as it has done in a mere two decades, thereby prompting MacArthur to respond once more twenty-one years later with his Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship.

Interestingly enough, Charismatic Chaos is much more thorough than Strange Fire but for different reasons. MacArthur deals with the idea of experience as a test for truth, and expounds on the inherent deception of utilizing existential faculties as a gauge for truthfulness, thereby denying the authority of the Scriptures. He discusses biblical revelation, and how God is still not revealing new revelation today. Delightfully so, he also discusses the Kansas City Prophets, a group that is largely untouched today, because they have largely been forgotten. I say "forgotten" in the sense that they have all either created something new, or distanced themselves from scandals. Mike Bickle, who went on to start the International House of Prayer, seems to be venerated and praised in today's circles--even in non-charismatic circles--but little is known about his origins, along with others such as Bob Jones and Paul Cain. MacArthur discusses their aberrant theology, false prophecies, and their cultic tenancies.

Further discussion leads to a great look at proper biblical hermeneutic, and how many charismatics fail on innumerable levels concerning their ability to exegete passages properly; specifically to support false theological claims, like God's desire to heal all people, et al. Later chapters move into a detailed look into miracles, and if the apostolic office of miracle worker is open today. He discusses the "Third Wave" movement, and predicts its future, and also takes a detailed exegetical look at the spiritual gifts of the church, and sees which ones are still operable today, and why. MacArthur concludes with a discussion on tongues and their applicability today, what true sanctification is, and finishes off with a refutation of the false prosperity gospel.

In short, this was an excellent treatment of many serious issues that are plaguing the church today that no one seems to be talking about. This, read in juxtaposition with Strange Fire will give a reader a great wealth of knowledge of the heresies of Pentecostalism that seems to be ever penetrating every aspect of normal church life today in America, as well as across the globe.

This was an excellent read, and will make a great reference text as well.

Brent McCulley

[William Dicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent warning against the abuses of Scripture and experiences within the charismatic movement, but I do think that MacArthur pushes the envelope a bit too far. He should differentiate between continuationist Christians (thoughtful, Scripture bound charismatics) and what I would call charismaticism (the abusive branch among charismatics). Not all charismatics are fringe lunatics, and MacArthur seems to paint over all charismatics with the same cynical brush.

[Percival Buncab · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one of the most prominent theologians of our time, Dr. John MacArthur has done a scholarly work exposing the charismatic heresies (re: tongues, prophecy, healing, apostleship, prosperity etc.) by presenting exegetical arguments as his ultimate basis (as cessationists believe in the sufficiency of the Scriptures), backed up with historical and medical research (from both Christian and secular sources).

Most of the book's citations are from charismatics, themselves. Dr. MacArthur fairly assessed the charismatics appealing to their own official teachings, rather than just making a caricature (strawman).

At first, the book may seem to divide; but it actually strives to unite. As Dr. MacArthur said in one of his sermons (non verbatim), "People accuse us of being divisive when we expose the heresies among the so-called "evangelical" movement. No. When we expose false teachers (wolves), we do not divide the church; rather, we separate the true Church (sheep) from the heretics (goats).

[Melissa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book challenged me to look beyond the warm fuzzy charismatic movement I was in and to seriously reconsider what I have been taught is "normal". We have a walk with God that needs to be real, uncompromising and without all the superficial embellishments. I am thankful for my spiritual upbringing but in the end there should only be a singular focus: God and his grace that bought us at a price.

[Fred Cheock]

I had read this book. The author was confused between the true manifestation of the Spirit, the crazy and the ignorant, the emotional and the demonic manifestation. The reason is he personally have not experience the presence of the Spirit of God and His power.

Personally, I recommend he goes deeper.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I wish every single person within the charismatic movement would read this book!

[Travis Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spring of clarity in times of flooded confusion.

The Charismatic Movement has been growing in popularity in recent years faster than one can keep track. Is there something to it or is it nothing more than a delusion on a massive scale? MacArthur puts forth his all to help clarify what is going on and which side of the fence actually aligns with Scripture. Does the Bible teach that tongues, healing, and prophecy still exist today? Is there such a thing as being zapped in the SPirit? Is experience a valid litmus test for truth? What does history have to say about it all?

MacArthur answers all this and more without fail. He emphatically drives home that Scripture is our only litmus test for truth! Find out what the true purpose of the sign gifts really were. Find out why it is not a matter of the gifts no longer working as much as it is a matter of them being fulfilled. While MacArthur gives a plethora of examples of people who have used the "sign gifts" for their own selfish gain and promotion, there is no lack of every day regular examples. If you have ever been confused on the subject of charismatics, this is the book for you! By the time you finish it, you will understand exactly why MacArthur teaches cessationism as the biblical stance.

[Fred · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love John MacArthur's body of work. Some of the greatest sermons and best Bible exposition I've ever heard have come from his pulpit. And even though I disagree with him in part, I absolutely adore my MacArthur Study Bible for the deep insight and into the biblical text that it contains - it is my "go to" commentary. John MacArthur is not only not my enemy but I consider him a valued ally in preaching the gospel, proclaiming truth, and bringing glory to God alone.

Yet despite my respect and admiration for Mr. MacArthur, I suspect, based on the tone of this highly polemic work, that he most likely can't bring himself to say anything good about me, or even think that I have anything of value to add to any conversation, simply because I'm a Charismatic. While he isn't my enemy I suspect that in his mind I am his. Folks, that's just sad isn't it?

Simply put this book does NOT accurately reflect the Charismatic churches that I have been in for close to 40-years now. Nor does it accurately reflect the theology of those churches. In fact, I wholeheartedly AGREE with MacArthur's expose' and denunciation of the Word of Faith movement - a movement that I've never been in and never will be because it's overflowing with heresy. That content alone has moved what would have been a 1-Star review up to two. In the end, the best review of this book is Vineyard Pastor Rich Nathan's (c.1993) review in which he said:

"I personally agree with a number of points in MacArthur's book. Like many Christians, I too have grave problems with the prosperity message and the positive confession movement. Suffering, as much as faith, is an integral part of the Christian life (Phil. 1:29). I also share the general disgust that most Christians have for those television evangelists who are simply money-grubbers. Like my colleagues in the Vineyard, I oppose a view of spirituality that eliminates the maturing effect of traditional means of sanctification, such as Bible study, prayer and fellowship. And I hate the hyped testimonies of alleged "healings" that evaporate upon honest investigation.

This book, however, is particularly difficult to read for a number of reasons. MacArthur has the unfortunate weakness of exaggerating his opponents' faults. Not only is the bizarre and the quirky repeatedly emphasized, but MacArthur rarely acknowledges a mainstream view within the charismatic or Pentecostal movements that's balanced, Biblical, and mature. MacArthur, moreover, rarely admits that the Pentecostal/charismatic movement - now over 400 million strong - has borne tremendous fruit for the kingdom of God. He simply does not permit himself to acknowledge positive contributions by this enormous and varied movement.

Excessive dogmatism is another fault of MacArthur's book. He lumps heresies, such as the view that human beings can share the deity of Christ, together with questions that should be open for discussion, such as "does the gift of tongues exist today?" Since MacArthur is dogmatic about virtually everything he says (something is either "Biblical" or "patently unbiblical" in MacArthur's book), he leaves absolutely no room for the reader to disagree and yet still be viewed as orthodox.

Indeed, in MacArthur's world, there does not seem to be any legitimate debate about almost any theological issue within Christian orthodoxy. This leads to the troubling conclusion that either MacArthur is unaware of most of the church's history and the legitimacy of differing Biblical viewpoints other than one's own, or he believes that he has received some special revelation regarding what is the truth about all matters. In either case, who can fault the reader for being turned off by MacArthur's excessive dogmatism?

There's another problem of lumping heresies together with matters that should be regarded as debatable by orthodox Christians: by shooting at every rabbit, MacArthur fails to ever bag the really big game. The big game involves the packaging of Christianity to suit the taste and appetites of the American consumer or the necessities of the television medium. A person in Missouri who believes a chicken was raised from the dead is hardly a national religious phenomenon. Consumer centered "Christianity" is, however, a major problem for the church in the 90s (II Tim. 4:3).

Finally, by way of introduction, MacArthur doesn't rebuke charismatics as a person would rebuke a member of one's own family. The book reads like hostile fire shot by an outsider. The tone, as will be seen by the numerous pejorative adjectives that MacArthur uses to describe charismatics, is anything but familial or irenic. It is one thing to have your child spanked by your spouse. It is quite another thing to have your child spanked by a stranger. Charismatics understandably react to being spanked by someone who intentionally positions himself as a stranger and not as a "dear friend, fellow worker... and [brother]" (Philem. 1:2)."
(Rich Nathan, "Vineyard Position Paper #5, April 1993: A RESPONSE TO CHARISMATIC CHAOS, The Book Written By John F. MacArthur, Jr")

That's just the preface to the more detailed review that follows. To this day Mr. Nathan's review of this book is the best one out there. I can't top it - I won't even try. It's 12-pages long and offers the finest analysis of this fatally flawed polemic work out there. Here's the link to it: https://beggarsbreaddotcom.files.word...

In closing, as Mr. Nathan summarizes so well later in his review:

"Ultimately it is MacArthur's rancorous, bombastic style that undermines his objectivity and any value this book may have had as a necessary corrective to excesses or errors in the charismatic, Pentecostal and Third Wave movements. Rabid anti-charismatics will love this book. It provides wonderful sermon illustrations for the already convinced. For those not so zealously anti-charismatic, this book serves only as a painful reminder of the lovelessness that characterizes too much of contemporary Christianity."
(Ibid)

If you're looking for the best summation of this book out there, you've just read it in Mr. Nathan's wise and insightful words.

[Philip Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I randomly acquired a free copy of this after being aware of it for years, so it was time to take the plunge. It was about what I expected:

MacArthur offers solid critique of the doctrine of subsequence, showing that baptism with/in/by the Spirit happens at conversion and highlighting the very real divisive effects of viewing Christianity as a two tier framework. His critique of the Word Faith movement is obviously right. I thought virtually every real life example he documented of concerning Charismatic excess absolutely had it coming and there would be no cons at all if the church dropped them and refrained from the immediately. I think it's undeniable that the wider Charismatic movement is plagued with ridiculous and novel fads which are inexcusably dumb and unhelpful. Given that this was written in 1992, it was interesting to observe the means of disseminating them in a world without Instagram reels etc. etc. Unfortunately, while some of the fads and mediums have changed, the problem hasn't gone away.

I think the wheels fall off in this book in that MacArthur had the kind of personality very likely to be especially irked by this stuff (as do I, honestly) along with a very narrow doctrine of cessationism. The resulting molotov cocktail contains a stack of arguments that either proved too much or are simply non-sequiturs. Considered cessationists will concede, Scripture simply doesn't overtly teach cessationism in the way it does, say, the deity of Christ. I would add, you don't need to hold MacArthur's views to avoid the serious errors he critiques in this book. You shouldn't, in fact.

Unfortunately, MacArthur showed numerous times in the book that he comes to the text looking to find why Charismatics are wrong. For example, in a chapter on hermeneutics, MacArthur lays out his approach to hermeneutics, arguing that a move one ought to make is to discover the text's literal and grammatical meaning. Then, when addressing key Charismatic proof texts, he quickly dismisses that 1 Peter 2:24 could be to do with physical healing, because "there is no mention of physical healing in this verse" (p. 124). Well I mean, there kind of is. Decisive in this is that Matthew 8 quotes the same text from Isaiah 53 that Peter is quoting and applies it to Christ physically healing someone. MacArthur briefly mentions Matthew 8 on the next page, but doesn't interact with the obvious problem that could be raised. To be clear, I do actually hold a view of 1 Peter 2:24 very similar to MacArthur's. Isaiah mentions healing, and that will be fully and finally brought about in the new world. So strictly speaking, it does mention healing, and the Charismatic error is one of an over realised eschatology. But note that he begins interacting with the text looking for an out. He then makes another grammatical point, arguing that Peter says, "you were healed," not "you will continually be healed." But this proves too much. What does this mean for Matthew 8? What would this mean for the eschaton?

MacArthur argues that prophecy could not be happening today because they would necessarily be Scripture quality, universally binding, and needing to be clipped on to the end of our Bibles. But he also argues that prophecy isn't even really about revelation per se, but about forth telling God's already revealed truth. But these are mutually exclusive positions. At one point he even categorises different gifts and puts prophecy (preaching) and prophecy (revelation) into different groups, the latter being the "sign gifts." But on what textual basis?

MacArthur employs Warfield's cluster argument that miraculous gifts are restricted to three periods of redemptive history (Moses, Elijah, Christ+Apostles). In response to Jack Deere's devastating critique of this, MacArthur narrows his definition of miraculous gifts, arguing that there needs to be a human instrument and that they need to "testify to something." I can conceded the former, though the latter I would argue is reductionistic. But even still, what about Noah? What about Joseph? What about Samuel?

MacArthur argues that there's nowhere in the New Testament where believers are told to seek miracle/miraculous gifts. Given that miraculous gifts are mentioned in 1 Cor 12, and then Paul says to eagerly desire the spiritual gifts (14:1), I find this hard to accept. He also commands the Corinthians not to forbid speaking in tongues and to earnestly desire prophecy (14:39). He tells the Thessalonians to not despise prophecy (1 Thess 5:20).

MacArthur argues that only the apostles or those they commissioned performed signs and wonders in the book of Acts. But he also argues that you can't draw doctrine from narratives unless a didactic teaching elsewhere confirms it. Also, it would be very difficult to find an individual in the Acts of the Apostles that plays a major role in the story doing much of anything that isn't either an Apostle or commissioned by them. Also, Acts doesn't say that Philip was set apart by the Apostles to perform signs, but to distribute food. Also, the wider New Testament does mention miracles performed by non-Apostles (1 Cor 12 distinguishes miracle working from apostles, Galatians mentions the miracles being worked in their midst).

MacArthur argues that the gifts were fading out, even in the NT itself. But he employs arguments from silence that if consistently applied would also rule out a stack of other things. He also gets the timeline wrong. For example, he argues from 2 Cor 12:7-10 that Paul could not be delivered from his thorn, "though he at one times seems to have had the ability to heal others at will (Acts 28:8)." But if 2 Cor was written in 55-56AD, and if the shipwreck on the way to Rome happened in 60AD, how does this work? Romans was also written after 2 Corinthians, which mentions prophecy. Further, MacArthur's citations from church history are very selective, which anyone can go and check out if they want do the reading.

For the sake of time, these will suffice as examples. But I really am just scratching the surface. All of this is a shame and hinders meaningful conversation and correction. I wonder whether these kinds of arguments will actually hinder those who find MacArthur's critiques of the Charismatic movement compelling from actually from doing anything about it, because they see the cure as worse than the disease. To be sure, I don't think that's the case, but I worry about the unintended consequences of this kind of thinking. Personally, I don't think there's anything intrinsic to the Charismatic movement that leads to the real problems MacArthur highlights. The issue is not so much in what it affirms as much as what it doesn't sufficiently emphasise. I'm almost certain that if every Charismatic church adopted a high view of Scripture, a regular roster of expository preaching, a love for the confessions, a robust soteriology, and a well-thought out ecclesiology, most of these problems would go away.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

John MacArthur is the teacher know made me discover the doctrines of grace and the true biblical teaching about signs and wonders. I read this book because I wanted to confirm what was teached in it in order to be able to share a copy with someone. Some chapters are not too much actual and talk mostly about American auto-declared prophets. Those chapters will seem to come out of another planet for most Quebecois. However, chapter on Tongues and True Spirituality have less American examples and and are much more readable for them. MacArthur takes a uncommun interpretation of the "tongue" in 1 Corinthians 14 : he says it is the false gift of tongues. I think MacArthur's interpretation is wrong here. I take the view that Paul talked about the real gift of tongues: real known languages.

For 8$, this is a good value on the subject, however, a bit "chaotic" reading.

[Moe Shinola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an enormous help to me. It showed me that I didn't have to worry all the time that I was letting my standing with God slip somehow, just because the emotional displays I saw in the charismatic church were not a reality for me. I'm really a pretty staid individual, and that's alright. The exposure of the doctrinal problems the movement suffered from was a real eye-opener, too, especially the link between Kenneth Hagin and E.W. Kenyon, the New Thought trancendentalist. Highly recommended.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good, in-depth work on why the Word of Faith movement, along with some other crazy trends, is more than just a good idea gone to excess. It's actually quite dangerous, and attempts to replace God's Word with man's word, relying on various texts either taken out of their setting or whose meaning is turned on its head. What really flabbergasted me was the very popular teaching that man is a 'little god', or really only different from God in scope, power, and invisibility.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Kristin Nare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very helpful in understanding the Biblical purpose for the miraculous gifts of the Spirit in the early church era, contrasted with the often counterfeit reproductions we see today. I'm not completely convinced, however, that cessation is 100%. I still have some questions, but this was very helpful and informative.

[Ariel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Agree with the other low-star reviews on this book - absolutely extreme examples that don't apply to anyone I know! Pretty frustrating and divisive read.

[Neil Kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still relevant 30 years later.

Strengths: Pastoral awareness, the call to conform church practice to biblical truth, exposing the extremes

Weakness: Generalisation based on anecdotal evidence

The best part: Chapter 11 - What is true spirituality?

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a clear bias towards the reformed tradition but that shouldn't come as a surprise when you consider the author and title of the book!

John MacArthur sets out his position in a coherent manner using both scriptural , historical and anecdotal evidence throughout the text. For anyone seeking to understand the reformed view on the chakras matrix church this would be a good starting point.

The only criticism is that it needs updating because mention some of the personalities by name and there are a lot of new guys/denominations that are missed.

[John Brackbill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. It is a bit dated with the examples and MacArthur paints with an extreme brush with his examples, but the point stands-charismatic theology is a magnet for doctrinal error. The best parts of the book are when MacArthur is dealing with Scriptural argumentation on the issues. I could have done without the overload of examples and quotes. I plan on reading "Strange Fire" this year so thought it was important to read his first book in this controversy.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My reading of this book was more of a thorough skimming, but I got the points MacArthur was making. Some were well made others less so. He does well showing the dangers of placing "experience," over the Bible. The gifts of the spirit should indeed be used judiciously. However, I don't think he proved that those gifts ended with the apostolic age.
If I had more time, I might actually read the entire book.

[Dylan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't agree with a lot of this book, but John MacArthur is correct in addressing the excess and abuse that can occur in the movement. I think we as charismatics need to be vigilant and discerning while still expecting to see the miraculous.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unbiblical and unconvincing argument. Does God really want us to sit around going mouldy before the return of Christ?

[Raymond Lam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is well written historical account and theological characterisation of the charismatic movement, the movement in evangelicalism that holds God is still delivering revelation and the apostolic spiritual/supernatural gifts are still operational today. The book was published in 1992 and hence is about the beginning of the movement from the 70s to early 90s. The book also offers theological criticisms of the movement in full biblical analysis typical of MacArthur. The book's prose reads like the way he does expository teaching and is hence clear lucid and progresses quickly.

The charismatic movement in question is a mixture of various churches that fit such doctrinal persuasion emerged in the 70s  beyond the Foursquare and Pentecostal denominations . Sometimes it is called the "Third Wave" implying the latter two denominations as the first two waves. It is also called the "Signs and Wonders movement" with its more well known proponents from Vineyard Fellowship churches, and Benny Hinn. Many TV and radio  evangelists such as Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagan, and Kenneth Copeland are also part of it. Their major distinctives are that the apostolic gifts such as prophecy, tongues, interpretation, miracles, and healing are still operational today to be enjoyed by believers today and can be acquired by a second baptism of the Holy Spirit subsequent to the initial indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the point of a believer's conversion. The miraculous gifts offer a higher level of spirituality and direct communion with God.

MacArthur addresses immediately in chapter two the serious theological issue of that movement's audacious claim that God is still making revelation. That would mean the movement's instances of prophecy now are divine revelations subsequent to the New testament which was completed in the apostolic age under a close canon. Should these prophecies be equivalent to and be added to Scripture ?  A delivery either is or is not revelation. If it is, does the church need to have an open canon?  The idea of there still revelations is the critical issue of this movement. Some charismatic leaders avoid equating their prophecies to the level of divine revelation in Scripture, which makes the puzzling notion of different authoritative levels for revelation.

Another issue discussed is the purpose of miracles in Scripture which is for the authentication of messengers delivering revelation. In Scripture, there are three periods of miracles used for such authentication: Moses period of delivery of the Pentateuch, the period of Old Testament prophets, and the New Covenant delivered by Jesus and the Apostles. Charismatic movement purports to claim either the apostolic age has not close or there is a new period of revelation today which some claims today is the last days both of which are controversial unsubstantiated claims.

Beyond doctrinal issues, MacArthur offered many accounts of optical and authenticity issues sourced from Charismatics books, stories from personal or second hand source, and media. Many are interesting, revealing and some comical. Much of charismatic ministry emphasizes on euphoria mystical experience in tongues, visions, miracles as the pinnacle of their spirituality making scripture incidental and uses such experiences to guide scriptural interpretation reversing the hermeneutics cart and horse. Charismatic meetings are often characterised by euphoric chaos with people "slain in the spirit" appearing like epileptic seizures, speaking in gibberish instead of real languages in the apostolic account, or in a trance. Claims of healing were usually limited to psychosomatic illnesses and received only slight improvement with relapses later, or with unverified claims. When believers were disappointed of the results, healers sometimes put the fault on the limited faith of the patients or that their extent to heal is limited how God wants to use them. MacArthur also offers some psychological studies of the miraculous claims such as suggestive healing of psychosomatic illness and tongues as learned behaviour or motor automation in hypnosis. More such clinical studies of the charismatic movement would make the book's explanation more thorough.

This book offers a very good ecclesiastical history of the genesis of the modern charismatics movement and an informed theological criticism of it. There is a newer book, Strange Fire, published in 2013 on the same subject based on a conference on the issue. This later book picks up from 1992 on

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. A treasure trove of wonderful information and arguments about a sect of Christianity I have serious misgivings over, yet knew very little about.

First, I have to say I find John MacArthur very readable. A lot of these books can be indecipherable messes. John Piper, F.F. Bruce, even C.S. Lewis can be hard to grasp and wrap your mind around. They can be far too academic, use confusing diction, and write in circles. I thought MacArthur was easy to read, funny, made solid analogies. There is a reason this guy is good behind the pulpit and it's because he is a solid communicator who gets his point across.

Now, on to the topic of the book. I was right to be wary of the charismatics. In fact, I think John MacArthur gave them far too much credit, and now that we are 30 years further down the road from this book, we can see even clearer that calling this a "Christian" movement is probably a stretch.

It's wild that this was written in the 90's. He had to get information from people who had snuck into conferences, or actually read books to see what these people were doing. Now, we can just pull up a YouTube video and the craziness that is Kenneth Copeland is on full display for all to see. All of these charismatic leaders have gone completely off the rails and it starts with these teachings from the 90's.

There are basically three teachings the charismatics (which are virtually identical to Pentecostals, they just decided to infiltrate other denominations) hold to:

First, they believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is separate from the moment someone becomes a new Christian. This creates a tiered system of believers and causes a divide in the church. Basically a "haves v. have-nots." It is contrary to what the Bible says, and they have no actual Biblical standing for this teaching. (this is called subsequence)

Second, when someone is baptized with the Holy Spirit, they should speak in tongues. While they believe all of the gifts are still in use today (despite all of the Biblical evidence to the contrary), the one that really matters (in fact, the only one that matters) is speaking in tongues. The only way to be a full "Christian" is to have spoken in tongues.

Finally, people can still receive further revelation from God. Anyone can get a message that says anything, and you are not allowed to question them. It's almost like a Crucible situation, where the jury has become the people who are doing the wrong thing and they are not to be questioned. Only those within the movement, who have been given further revelation, are allowed to comment on anyone else's further revelation.

Prophecies don't have to happen (in fact it's expected they won't). New revelation doesn't have to align with scripture. No one else is needed to confirm the revelation. Everyone is just supposed to go with it.

In order to get this further revelation it becomes a race to the next "spiritual" high, where you feel in "God's presence" and He is with you. It becomes crazy town, anything goes, and no matter what is happening in a church service it is accepted and applauded. In fact, the crazier the experience, the more notoriety and popularity you garnish. It is a literal race to see who can act the strangest and have the best "spiritual feeling." All disconnected from God's word.

To me, this flies in the face of everything that is Christianity. To know Jesus, is to know Scripture, and to know the Scriptures is to know Jesus Christ. You can't separate the two unless you simply don't know either. Men around the world have read the Bible and yet not known Christ, and men claim to know Christ and yet don't know their Bible. Both are mistaken. One does not have the full illumination of the scriptures that can only come from the Holy Spirit, the other does not have the knowledge of salvation that only comes through reading the Bible.

MacArthur is trying very hard to give these people the benefit of the doubt and still keep them connected to the Body of Christ, but it is hard to see how teachers can blame sickness and death on a person's lack of faith and still be considered Christian.

It is hard to see how the gross materialism, the outright stupid prophecies, and announcing that they are "little gods," can be anything but pure occult and outright rejected by anyone that is not a raving heretic.

In fact, I imagine John MacArthur would outright condemn any of these practices and just about everything else these people do. It is gross and disgusting.

All teachings are accepted, nothing is wrong or heresy, and this is how you get the like of Kenneth Copeland (who is well represented in these pages), Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen (who came too late for this book), and just about any T.V. preacher or the last 70 years. T.D. Jakes, Michael Todd, and Steven Furtick to name a few. This is how Kanye West can be considered a preacher after being a Christian for all of two minutes and never actually sitting under sound Biblical teaching. This is how Oprah Winfrey, Obama, Trump, Pelosi, Biden, Rob Bell and any number of truly confused people can think of themselves as Christians.

It is mind boggling.

A cool moment from the book:

One was where MacArthur gave the Charismatics some grace and he talked about the reason people do this. Page 298 in my copy, last pages of the "Is the Gift of Tongues for Today?" He claims it is a reaction to our secularized, mechanized, academic, cold indifferent society. Considering we've only gotten worse, men have easily been able to take advantage of this. On top of this, he says it is the lifeless Christianity that permeates so many churches. This was well said. I have sat through many a church service where God's living Word is never opened, and many a service where His Word is so butchered as to be lacking the truth of Christ. It is a call for orthodox churches to be better.

Unfortunately, other than that section, this book lacks a purpose. I sought to know more about this fraudulent system masquerading as Christianity. Beyond that . . . I'm not sure this would convince a Charismatic, maybe. I'm not sure I could argue these points with a Charismatic, maybe in some sort of formal debate, but not from a platform of Christian that would soften their hearts. I guess people that just want to know more, but honestly this movement is sneaky and hides itself. The people I've dealt with don't even realize what they are saying or believe.

I had a false teacher tell me that people still spoke in tongues, that people could still get further revelation from God, and the differences of denominations were all negligible. He then agreed with me when I confronted him that the Bible is sufficient and inerrant. Granted, he was lying through his teeth to keep his job, but he didn't even realize that he believed two contradictory ideas.

This movement is sick. I would not call it Christian and would be highly suspect of anyone that held any of these ideas. This book solidified that view for me.

[Jedi Master Nate Lightray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I left isn’t this bad, this chaotic. However, if I were to draw a Venn diagram, the overlap would be scary. While the UPCI would never claim to believe in “little god” theology, for example, they certainly practice the concepts within the movement, “Naming and claiming” or “speaking into existence”. What matters in the Charismatic Movement is the result of a singular service, geared around the altar experience, and not biblical doctrine and spiritual growth of an individual for the rest of the week.

What truly turned me away from charismata is the concept of how a sermon is manufactured by most within the movement. Eisogesis is the practice of “getting a word”, usually “laid on my heart”, and then butchering the context of the scripture used because they received the word first, and then “found” supporting scripture. In my last month at my old church, I was able to point out inerrancy in the sermon just by reading the rest of the chapter. Yet because this is the custom, no one is there to protect the saints from that inerrancy. An unfortunate number of ministers even admit to not reading the Bible the way they should. How can anyone know what God means to say if they don’t properly go to the source to find out what God is saying? What if it wasn’t God giving them the Word, but themselves or worse, the enemy?

My heart is broken from having to leave good people and a good man who is the pastor, but having kids, if no one else is going to protect my kids from error, then it’s up to me. And this book has helped me to determine how much of my old belief to keep and how much of it to throw away. For that, and MacArthur’s studious and in-depth knowledge, I’m grateful, even where I disagree with him.

[Pastor Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had only become a born again Christian recently when several pentecostals and charismatics informed me that I was still missing something and that I needed another experience with the Holy Spirit that would cause me to speak with other tongues. I began attending a little Apostolic Pentecostal church with a friend that had less than 20 people in attendance and there was an indirect attempt to pull me into this experience (as well as a full on, hostile rejection of the Trinity, eternal security, Easter, Christmas, etc.)

When I approached my pastor at that time, he gave me a copy of this book. This along with several others on the subject of the Holy Spirit and my personal studies in the Bible that went on for weeks helped me see that unbiblical nature of the Charismatic movement.

I later learned about the horrible "birth" of the movement in Corinth-like churches in Kansas and Azusa Street (L.A. area) California and also learned the importance of CONTEXT and of Dispensationalism in "rightly dividing the word of truth". But I have to give credit where it is due and say that this book was one of the first to push my boat in the right direction.

DISCLAIMER: When asked, I do not actually recommend this book as I have other, better recommendations that I have read since 1990. And within a few years of reading this book, I became aware of MacArthur's errors: corrupt Vatican Versions, heresy on the blood of Jesus, overt Calvinism, etc. For that reason, I do not recommend him as a Bible teacher or as an author that should be promoted.

[Bro. Austin McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a Pastoral mentor of mine, Bro. Mike Brown. As a believer in the teaching of cessationism, I previously had little understanding to the doctrinal teachings of the Charismatics in today’s society.

This book gives an in-depth refutation concerning teachings from the Charismatic Movement that don’t align with scripture. Dr.MacArthur spends a considerable amount of time affirming that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at conversion. Dr. MacArthur also addresses dangerously heretical movements such as the “third wave” movement and the “word of faith” movement.

If you are unfamiliar with the biblical charismatic gifts and you want to understand their relationship to the Christian in 2018, I recommend this book to you.

Lastly, the author mentions in his Introduction and Epilogue that he is not attempting to create a division in the church between Non-Charismatics and Charismatics. I feel the same way. If you are a Charismatic, I still encourage you to read this book to understand some of the teachings associated with the Charismata.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read, blew through it in 2 days cause it felt like I was reading an essay. I disagree with some of MacArthur’s stances on the Christian faith, namely a lot of points associated with his agreement with Calvinism, but all of his points challenging false doctrine and false teachers in churches today was 100% spot-on. I’ve wrestled with charismatic churches my whole life so this read helped me put some of my frustrations with it into words. On the flip side, I think MacArthur takes some things a bit too far to the other extreme, especially when he has the nerve to tell readers that if there’s sickness in their life, they need to search for any un-confessed sin. Also this was published in ‘92, so it is a bit dated but still relevant. All around, excellent read, theologically sound for the *most* part, and offers some much-needed questions to charismatic denominations today. Make sure you read from an objective view!

[Lindsay Marino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and fair

Every time I hear/read something by J Mac I remember how biblically solid he is

I have had several close friends over the years who are charismatics and this was a great resource to help address some of the differences we've faced

I really appreciated that he went into the basics of interpreting the Bible and why the canon is closed and the way he kept the Bible central. He gave a fair, well rounded argument in which he clearly did his research into what the movement has been teaching and even studies that have been done regarding, for example, the supposed miracles achieved by its leaders.

I highly recommend for anyone exposed to the health and wealth/prosperity gospel/speaking in tongues/faith healing/"I have a word from the Lord for you" movement!!

[Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

MacArthur critics the Charismatic movement, defending the Biblical position, as graciously as MacArthur is able.
Topics discussed:
- experience vs what the Bible says
- is there on-going revelation of God?
-weird experiences of some charismatics and their ministries
-how to interpret the Bible
-spiritual gifts
-a review of the book of Acts and spiritual gifts
-healing
-tongues
-health and wealth

Basically, tongues is the unifying 'gift' of the charismatic movement. No Biblical basis for the 'personal' gifting and no Biblical basis past the apostolic age.
Briefly, the Bible doesn't teach:
-extra baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced in speaking in tongues
-what the Bible says overrides a person's personal experience
-revelation ceased at the end of the first century, no need for 'prophetic' gifts (which often contradict the Bible)
-the canon is closed
-God is able and sometimes does miracles but there is no evidence that there is a gift of healing today
-health and wealth gospel, the prosperity gospel minimizes the sovereignty of God and submission to God.
Just some of the subjects covered. Good book to come back to as a reference.