Authentic Fire: A Response to John MacArthur's Strange Fire

by Michael L. Brown

In response to Pastor John MacArthur’s call for a “collective war,” against charismatics, Dr. Michael Brown has called for unity in Jesus based on a return to the truth of the Scriptures in the fullness of the Spirit. As a charismatic biblical scholar and theologian, Dr. Brown responds to Pastor MacArthur’s charges, making a biblical case for the continuation of the New Testament gifts of the Spirit and demonstrating the unique contribution to missions, theology, and worship made by the charismatic Church worldwide. He calls for an appreciation of the unique strengths and weaknesses of both cessationists and charismatics, inviting readers to experience God afresh, and he demonstrates how charismatic leaders have been addressing abuses within their own movement for decades. Dr. Brown speaks on behalf of millions who are not adequately trained to express in writing their own encounters with the supernatural power of God. - David Ravenhill I thank God for this biblically-robust, pastorally-sensitive, historicallyinformed, and graciously-articulated account of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church of Jesus Christ. - Sam Storms Dr. Michael Brown’s Authentic Fire puts the brakes on John MacArthur’s crusade against charismatics with irrefutable logic, extraordinary insight, Christ-like graciousness, and an undisputable handling of Scripture. - Frank Viola Michael Brown writes with clarity and courtesy as he confronts one of the most explosive issues among all those who uphold the Bible as the plumb line of truth. - David Shibley

Genres: Theology, Christian, Parenting, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Spirituality

426 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2013

About the author

Michael L. Brown (born March 16, 1955) is a Messianic Jewish Old Testament scholar, professor, activist, itinerant speaker, and author who has preached in numerous countries and written twenty books. He is the founder and president of ICN Ministries. His writings have been translated into more than a dozen languages. He was married to Nancy Gurian on March 14, 1976 and they have two daughters, Jennifer and Megan, and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[Brandon H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Charismatics! What an evil bunch of misguided, Biblically ignorant and shallow heretics! Let's damn them! Damn them all and save the church from their demonically inspired, dangerous doctrines!

"We have the truth! The truth is the gifts of the Spirit are no longer in operation as God has replaced them with the Bible and the Bible is all we need now. Whatever "gifts" we see in the world today is clearly the devil's doing because the operations of such things just don't line up with our interpretation of the subject and we are RIGHT because, unlike Pentecostals and Charismatics, WE study our Bibles!

"We're not given over to excessive demonstrations of emotions! No, not US! We know that true Christianity today is primarily a mental activity! Feelings? Feelings are subjective. We don't value feelings! Unless of course, you'd like to join us in mocking those wild and crazy Pentecostal and Charismatic people. There's no need for emotions! No need for feelings, impressions, dreams, or any supernatural activities. We have the Bible now! The perfect has come! The perfect Bible that is and "Bless God! and Grace to you!" we will help you obtain a correct interpretation of it!"

That's pretty much both the message from, and spirit of, John MacArthur and his Strange Fire followers. (Of course, on the radio he's much more subdued and he comes across quite rational in many of his interviews.)

The message from Dr. Michael Brown in his book, "Authentic Fire" is of a totally different spirit. You could even call it, "Christlike." Imagine that! And from a Charismatic, no less!

In Authentic Fire, Dr. Brown responds to the claims of mega church pastor and semi-popular radio Bible teacher John MacArthur. Where he agrees with MacArthur, he is quick to praise him and affirm his position. Dr. Brown also gives a brilliant defense for the continuationist views regarding the gifts of the Spirit as well as for the Pentecostal / Charismatic movement as a whole.

At the same time, unlike MacArthur, he promotes unity in the Body of Christ as well as calling for civility, accuracy, and integrity when debating and discussing differing views and doctrines. His treatment of cessationists and MacArthur is gracious and Christlike. While Dr. Brown is passionate about his views, he expresses them in with a respectful, charitable, and humble attitude. He directly challenges many of MacArthur's absurd caricatures and unrealistic accusations with a sharp Bible knowledge and spirit of kindness lacking in MacArthur.

Authentic Fire is a great book for the following reasons -

1. It is much more Biblically accurate and is grounded on solid exegesis than Strange Fire and Charismatic Chaos. If you don't believe me, read the book and test it for yourself.

2. Dr. Brown doesn't engage in mental gymnastics to argue his position nor has he constructed as one contributor put it, "convoluted hermeneutic."

3. It promotes unity in the Body of Christ where we can agree and grace where we can't.

4. Different views are taken seriously and treated with respect and kindness.

5. Dr. Brown doesn't slander those who disagree with his continuationist view. Nor does he call them heretics or insinuate that they are hell bound just because they disagree with his view.

6. He generously quotes from sources with views that are not in 100% in agreement with his views.

7. He doesn't exaggerate facts to back up his position, nor does he quote from sources that deliberately ignored verified facts that challenge his position.

8. There isn't much, if any, rhetoric in this book but it is, as one reviewer put it, "a respectful and irenic tone."

9. He admonishes those within his theological camp to not treat others of a different doctrinal view with contempt or a less-than Christlike attitude.

10. Dr. Brown doesn't shy away from challenging and being critical of the excesses in the Pentecostal / Charismatic denominations or that dastardly prosperity gospel.

11. There are quality contributions from Craig S. Keener, Sam Storms, Steven S. Alt, and David Shibley.

12. If you'd like a more accurate view of the Pentecostal and Charismatic doctrines / denominations in world today than what is expressed on television stations like T.B.N. and others this is a great resource.

This book is more than just a refutation of many of MacArthur's positions and statements or the cessationist position, it's an education!

Here's what others have had to say about this book -

"I was afraid this book would swing the pendulum to the other extreme from John MacArthur's book, but Dr. Brown does a very good job of focusing on scripture, while also addressing church history and modern church culture. The writing was fairly in-depth, but still very readable and engaging." - Scott Jenson on Amazon Review of Authentic Fire.

"Dr. Michael Brown's Authentic Fire puts the brakes on John MacArthur's crusade against charismatics with irrefutable logic, extraordinary insight, Christ-like graciousness, and an undisputable handling of Scripture. This is the definitive book to give to anyone who asks, "Is MacArthur's denunciation of charismatic Christians fair and accurate?" Frank Viola, author, God's Favorite Place; frankviola.org

"Dr. Brown speaks on behalf of millions who are not adequately trained to express in writing their own encounters with the supernatural power of God. With the skill of a surgeon, Dr. Brown takes the sword of the Spirit to the crippling cancer of cessationist doctrine that has, for so long, paralyzed the Body of Christ from walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit's anointing. David Ravenhill, author, How to Survive the Anointing
Michael Brown demolishes the weak arguments outlined in John MacArthur's Strange Fire book and conference. He does so robustly but without resorting to divisive or schismatic language. Dr. Adrian Warnock, author, Raised with Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything

I thank God for this biblically-robust, pastorally-sensitive, historically-informed, and graciously-articulated account of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church of Jesus Christ. Michael Brown is a model for us all of how one can be theologically rigorous and a fair-minded gentleman at the same time. His arguments are clear and, in my opinion, persuasive, and will contribute greatly not only to deeper clarity on this important topic but also to increased unity in the body of Christ. Sam Storms, Ph.D., author, Pleasures Evermore: The Life-Changing of Enjoying God

"Michael Brown writes with clarity and courtesy as he confronts one of the most explosive issues among all those who uphold the Bible as the plumb line of truth. Dr. Brown convincingly combines faithful exegesis, seasoned insight, and extensive research to show that the resurrected Christ continues to 'present Himself alive...by many convincing proofs.' He points us to a rock-solid faith in God's inerrant Word and invites us to a Christ-centered life that is animated by His life giving Spirit." - David Shibley, founder and world representative for Global Advance.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately there’s no way to review this book or discuss the book that it’s in response to ("Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship" by John MacArthur) without talking about personalities. That said, while I am a Charismatic, Michael Brown is far more Pentecostal than I will ever be – or want to be. And while I'm Reformed, John MacArthur is far more Calvinistic than I will ever be – or want to be. After reading this book and considering the output from the Strange Fire camp (including the book of that title) I find myself somewhere between the two men.

Let’s start with this book. While I concur with most of what Michael Brown and his appendix authors present in this book – particularly their superb exegesis of scripture – I was troubled by the recurrence of that oldest of Pentecostal fallacies: An over reliance on anecdotal evidence. This is particularly troubling to me since, as a Mormon Studies Scholar, I'm all too familiar with cults and other unorthodox groups citing anecdotes and experiences as though they’re conclusive, objective, empirical evidence. Folks, they’re not, they’re just not. While to some this may seem a niggling gnat straining point, it’s not since Charismatics are often (and often not without reason) accused of elevating experience above biblical authority. This the very thesis that forms the core of MacArthur’s book and the one which he gleefully hammered away at for 352 pages, through an entire conference, and now continues through countless tweets and articles.

For example, I was troubled by Brown’s frequent reference to being slain in the Spirit (or “falling under the power of God” as he more often referred to it in the book) as if it were a biblical given based on his experiences and stories. The fact is that it appears exactly nowhere in the Bible (that is unless you eisegete it into the text). This is a glaring hole in this book. By relying on anecdotes, in my opinion, Brown and some of his co-contributors have left themselves open and exposed for more criticism from the Strange Fire camp.

That said, I thought that they did an excellent job of the glaring hole in MacArthur’s book in particular and his stance in general: His failure to exegete from the entirety of scripture and tendency to exegete only from select texts. For example, nowhere in his book does he address 1 Corinthians 14 where the public use of the “sign gifts” (to use a cessationist term that never appears in the Bible) of congregational prophetic utterances and tongues is not only commended, encouraged, and endorsed but given a practical framework in which they are to work in the local church.

Another example is his failure to address the last words in the Bible on the practice of charismata which are: “Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39, NASB) Respectfully, Mr. MacArthur, if you truly respect the authority of scripture and the authority of the foundational teachings of the Apostles of the Lamb then you can neither ignore this Biblical mandate or criticize others when they respect and obey it.

So clearly there’s bias on both sides – to the surprise, I’m sure, of no one. So the question is, who makes the more compelling case? In my opinion, it’s Michael Brown and his appendix authors. They present a compelling and cogent case that’s truly “sola scriptura” rather than “sola scriptura AND”. The “AND” in this case are renowned historical figures of the Protestant Reformation in general and John Calvin in particular (for example, consider “Calvin’s Critique of Charismatic Calvinists” by Steve Lawson from the Strange Fire conference for a glaring example of this).

Yes, I’m Reformed but I refuse to put a pinch of incense on the altar of John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, or anyone else in addition to declaring Jesus Lord and the scripture His gave us the absolute, final authority for this mortal passage. Michael Brown and the appendix authors very rightly call the Strange Fire camp to task for this.

Last but not least, I’m not as nice as Michael Brown (after all I am one of those cranky, scholarly, truth oriented, confessing, and Bible thumping, Reformed folks). So I’m just going to say it: John MacArthur can be a real bully. I say this happily acknowledging all the wonderful benefit that I’ve derived from listening to more than my fair share of his excellent sermons over the years. I honor his gifting as a Bible teacher, expositor, and theologian. However, I’m not blind, nor am I deaf and it’s hard to miss the harsh, ungracious, even mean spirited jabs that I have heard him take at those he differs with over the years – and that includes cessationists, continuationists, and even other Reformed theologians. It seems you risk a declaration of war if you dare disagree with Mr. MacArthur. Pentecostals and Charismatics may be his favorite target but they’re far from his only target.

Further, after the harsh and uncharitable hatchet job that he did on John Wimber and the Vineyard Movement in 1993 (full disclosure, I and many other Charismatics were critical of some of the excesses of the Vineyard movement at the time as well) in "Charismatic Chaos" as well as the seemingly endless stream of exaggerated, unkind, unmerciful, and ungracious articles and sermons he has preached against Pentecostalism over the years neither his book or his conference came as any surprise – it was just par for the course only with a new club.

Particularly troubling was his comment in “Strange Fire Panel Question and Answer, Session 1” that, “I believe that we are not dividing the body of Christ in this conference. We are trying to identify the body of Christ and show that these people aren’t part of it“. With that statement (which garnered applause from the audience) Mr. MacArthur has just thrown a half a billion Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians under the bus as not belonging to the body of Christ.

This isn’t theory or hyperbole, the fruit of the “license to kill” and relentless unkind, vitriol that he has on Pentecostals and Charismatics can readily be seen in the mean spirited memes and posts that fill the Reformed groups on social media. Clearly John MacArthur and the Strange Fire camp has unleashed something is hard to describe as “Christian”. This is unfortunately and, frankly, I would expect more of someone of Mr. MacArthur’s maturity, stature, and position within the body of Christ.

But with that said is this response to all this bludgeoning perfect? No. However, given the ungracious, unkind, and unfair nature of the Strange Fire onslaught it needed to be written and, as other reviewers have noted, it does a fine job of addressing, as one pastor put it so well, “the strange theology of John MacArthur’s Strange Fire”. But more than that it stands up to a bully – and that’s never a bad thing.

Three final thoughts:

First, please read John MacArthur’s book and consider the Strange Fire conference addresses (which can easily be found on the internet). Please don’t take my, Michael Brown, or anyone else’s word for what they’ve said and the way they’ve said it. Frankly, I think that it speaks for itself. Suffice to say, in my opinion, the strong criticism that these materials have received from both the cessationist and continuationist camps is well deserved! MacArthur has since tried to reposition it all as “the start of a conversation”, however, the tone, content and rhetoric style is clearly something else.

Second, some of the best material in this book (Authentic Fire) is in the appendices. Don’t skip them. In fact, I recommend that you first read through them starting with, “Why NT Prophecy Does NOT Result in ‘Scripture-quality’ Revelatory Words (A Response to the Most Frequently Cited Cessationist Argument against the Contemporary Validity of Spiritual Gifts)” by Sam Storms. This is Appendix B. Frankly, I wasn’t too impressed with Appendix A (“The Ongoing Evidence of Miracles, with Thoughts on African Charismatic Christianity” by Craig S. Keener) due to its over reliance on anecdotal evidence. In fact, in my opinion, you could just skip it without missing too much.

Finally, in addition to this book I highly recommend that the reader work through Don Horban’s superb teaching series, “The Strange Theology of John MacArthur’s Strange Fire” which can be found here: http://cedarview.org/sermons/the-stra... Pastor Horban addresses many issues and points that were missed in this book. It is an excellent supplement to the Authentic Fire book and a masterful response to the Strange Fire camp.

[Alex Ponce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro bastante interesante ya que fue escrito con la intención de responder a las acusaciones del libro Fuego Extraño de John Macarthur, y pienso que este libro logró su objetivo ya que el autor proporciona sus argumentos a favor de movimiento carismático.

Me hubiese gustado mucho que el autor se hubiera dedicado un poco más a dar sus argumentos con más base bíblica ya que considero que mucho de lo que dijo fue solo por mera experiencia per se, y no tanto fundamento bíblico como Macarthur intentó hacer. Sin embargo esto se lo puede pasar por alto ya que en los apéndices al final del libro toma bastante para darle el fundamento bíblico sobre los carismáticos.

Este es segundo libro que leo del Dr Brown y sin duda me gusta la manera en como él expone sus ideas.

Por último como dije en mi reseña del libro de pastor Macarthur, este libro de Fuego Auténtico lo he leído principalmente para saber la postura de los carismáticos y sus respuestas a las acusaciones de Fuego Extraño.

Recomiendo leer los dos libros, tanto del pastor Macarthur como del dr Brown para poder tener una base más sólida y amplia para dar una opinión tanto a los que creen que los dones han cesado como los que piensan que los dones continúan vigentes.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Strange Fire conference was fiery but not in a way people on both sides realize. It had a high flash point and for that reason illustrated why cessationism is on the wane.

Michael Brown first addresses the common criticism of him: why doesn’t he rebuke x, y, and z? (Phil Johnson makes this criticism). For one, Brown has written several books condemning these wacky charismatic abuses. Does that not count? Secondly, most charismatics don’t “bark in the Spirit,” so why call unnecessary attention to it?

As to the extreme emotionalism, is that always the case? Brown quotes John Wimber where Wimber encourages people to “dial it down” (Wimber, Power Healing). J. P. Moreland, a charismatic, wrote a book called Finding Quiet where he lists a number of calming practices.

One of Macarthur’s criticisms is that any good the charismatics have produced has been in spite of themselves, not because of it. Not only is this is wrong, this is just bitter-spirited. Let’s look at it:


Ben Witherington: leading New Testament scholar. Can he separate his faith from his theology? Indeed, he mentions going to a healing and exorcism service.

Craig Keener: written the leading (and largest) commentary on Acts. Acts is about miracles. Keener gives testimony in his own life of experiencing miracles. Can he really separate his faith from his scholarship.

J. P. Moreland is an outspoken charismatic and leading philosopher. He wrote a book specifically integrating a charismatic view on prophecy and healing with his epistemology.

Other criticisms include asking where the charismatic hospitals are, to which Brown documents numerous ministries that feed and care for thousands of starving people in the Global South.

Chapter 4 details all of Macarthur’s guilt-by-association fallacies. This chapter should be in all rhetoric textbooks as an example of counter-arguments. If x is guilty of a position because he had some degree of previous association with y, then that same argument can be used against you. Look at it this way. Macarthur is a dispensationalist. John Gerstner said dispensationalism was borderline heresy and a deviation from orthodoxy, yet Macarthur had RC Sproul, Gerstner’s student, speak at Strange Fire. Is not Macarthur endorsing Gerstner’s attacks on dispensationalism?

Let’s look at it another way. Michael Brown said Cindy Jacobs was a friend. Not endorsing her theology, just a friend. Well, Brown has also spoken at Southern Evangelical Seminary of the late Norm Geisler. Was Geisler then promoting Jacobs’ theology? See how silly this is?

Chapters 5ff deal with some of the more problematic (and alleged) Pentecostal practices. This is in the context of Macarthur’s rhetorical question, “Does it oppose worldliness” (Implied answer no). Don’t Pentecostals in the Global South hold to a prosperity gospel? Not exactly. Let’s take the question: “Does God want his people to have material prosperity?” In the jungle of Africa that means “Not starve to death tomorrow.” And in some sense we can say, “Correct, God doesn’t want you to starve to death.” These people aren’t thinking of buying a BMW. They want a bicycle to be able to preach the Gospel in another village.

In other places like Brazil where Pentecostals did give more carnal answers, their answers really weren’t different from the non-charismatics.

Brown asks a rather pointed question: how is it right for members and preachers in a lavish megachurch, some having flown there on planes, in air-conditioning, no doubt well-fed, condemning starving believers in other parts of the world simply because the latter said God wants to meet their needs?

And as to theological worldliness--how is American Protestantism doing these days? Many of the major conservative denominations are in an existential fight against Marxism and liberalism. It’s not Pentecostalism that is lurching to the left.

Brown’s Positive Case

1. The NT states these gifts will continue until Christ returns (1 Cor. 1:7-8; 13:8ff).
2. The NT encourages use of these gifts.
3. The NT never states these gifts will cease.

Were Jesus’s miracles confirmation miracles? Some were but not all. Many healings happened because he had compassion, not because he had to prove he was God. Others proved the messianic age had begun (and the NT makes a correlation between the outpouring of the Spirit and the beginning of the Messianic age).

Raymond Brown goes so far to say that the miracle wasn’t the external confirmation of the message; rather, it was the vehicle of the message.

In any case, miracle isn’t even the word the NT uses. It is dunamis or “working of powers.” Galatians 3:5 says the Spirit works powers among us. Therefore, if the same Spirit comes upon believers today, why shouldn’t we expect the working of powers?

Conclusion

I believe we should write more books explaining and integrating miracles and charismata in the church today. We need to focus on positive cases. This book should serve as the final nail in the cessationist coffin. Even cessationists are backing away from their earlier claims.

[Jon Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one from Dr Brown. I too was aware of the Strange Fire conference and book by John MacArthur. I read MacArthur's "Charismatic Chaos" years ago when I was part of the Vineyard movement. One of the things that bothered me most about the earlier book was the way he (MacArthur) went after John Wimber. At the time I was a frequent visitor to John Wilber's conferences and even had the opportunity to meet him once. I never saw a more humble servant of God than John Wimber, and I was offended at MacArthur at the time. I was not offended at MacArthur after the Strange Fire conference and book, rather my heart broke for him because there is so much he is missing because of his views. The thing I appreciated the most about this book is that Dr Brown lays down a very strong defense of the Pentecostal/Charismatic position but shows MacArthur and those involved in the strange fire events so much mercy. MacArthur and those who were part of this book and conference are believers in Jesus and I gladly stand with them on that belief and call them brothers.

[Robert Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Michael L. Brown has presented the Christian world with a remarkably well balanced book refuting the accusations of Dr. John MacArthur's "Strange Fire". Dr. Brown does not call names or make accusations of his own against the Strange Fire camp. He simply points out the utter fallacy of their unbiblical position. The treatment of the subject matter is presented in an informed, biblical, loving manner. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who might be in sympathy with Strange Fire position.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Brown did an excellent job of pointing out the errors of the Strange Fire gang (it was a gang-like mentality) and laying a sound biblical case for the continuing gifts of the Holy Spirit for the church. As a Reformed, Baptistic, Charasmatic I was greatly encouraged to expect wonderous things from a great God (Psalm 86:10). 4 instead of 5 only because it was apparent at times it was a rush writing job (understandable given events). Thanks Michael!!

[Brandon Vaughan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this after reading “Strange Fire” by John MacArthur, and to clarify I would be considered a cessationist. I believe (hope) that Dr. Brown’s goal was unification of the body, as he did seem to write this with a good spirit, that being said the arguments for his position were just so weak. In response to JMAC he appeals to the fallacy of guilty by association. And while I do agree with him that GBA can definitely be taken too far, Dr. Brown then proceeded to selectively associate and disassociate certain people from the Charismatic Movement. For example, he attempts to lump Oswald Chambers, Corrie Ten Boom and even A.W Tozier into the Charismatic camp. But if those three are equal to the modern day Charismatic Movement, I must be Smith Wigglesworth. On the other hand he completely discounts Charles Parham’s influence on the early Charismatic Movement, barely mentioning him in passing. He also never even addresses the big name Charismatic charlatans that JMAC torches In “Strange Fire” (except for Bentley). Dealing with the weakness of Charismatic scholarship he holds up Gordon Fee and N.T Wright as some of the greatest NT scholars of our time (Fee’s commentary on Revelation has only 1 review on Amazon). I’ll just leave that there. And when it came to the scriptural argument, he dedicates only one section of one chapter to the Biblical Exegesis (although he does address a little more in the appendices). 99% of his Biblical argument is basically that we have the same Spirit In us that the Apostles had, therefore we should assume that He still works the same way today. To me, the most cringeworthy thing is what he states on page 193 and again on page 210, that the unreached heathen will not be impressed by a 2,000 year old book that’s not accompanied by signs and wonders. In the end, Dr. Brown is typical of just about every Charismatic that I have dealt with, placing experience above exegesis of the scriptures. And even when he lectures the “extreme” Charismatics he sounds like a beer commercial that tells people to drink responsibly. Do I think he is a heretic? No, but he is dead wrong on this issue.

[Kristina Aziz]

I'll be honest. I want a child who prays, but I don't even really, truly know how to pray myself. So I got this book for some pointers, fully expecting to be told "welp, nothing doing if you don't have a solid relationship with the big man yourself."

Don't get me wrong, that's essentially what the first chapter says. But what struck me was that it didn't say "you have to be the end-all be-all perfect prayer-er." It said, instead, "practice. Take a tiny bit of time out of your day to say a prayer. Just start, and make sure you are doing it because you want Christ" Which essentially is what my husband told me when we first started discussing my conversion.

Ireland breaks it down into three steps: Purpose, Pattern, and Power. I love that the steps for leading your child to pray are the same steps for teaching yourself, and that example prayers are included for people (it can't be just me) who have no idea where to even start praying.

The effective teaching principles and engaging stories from the bible and more modern times kept me interested and reading on to the next chapter. I now have a framework for how to guide my daughter in a faith I just discovered, and would recommend this book to anyone looking for a little guidance as well.

[Joshua Foote · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

I am not very good with these stars because to me only the word of God can get 5 stars (perfect book). I listen to Dr. Brown's podcast and enjoy it thoroughly. This book was a very good book on the holy spirit. I cannot talk about it being a refutation of strange fire as I have never read it. As for the holy spirit and how Pentecostals act and different from tv preachers is very God. Historical quotes and well researched.

[Benjamin Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Food for thought, and written with such a gracious spirit.

This is more than a robust defense of the continuation of the gifts of the Spirit, it is also a remarkable example of how to write a polemic piece of work and still have a gracious, humble and tender spirit. I have learned a lot reading it.

[Patrick Berthalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le Dr Michael Brown répond de manière très fraternelle mais très précise aux "accusation" du livre et campagne contre les Pentecôtistes bien aimé frère MacArthur . Il commet un péché de généralisation lorsque, sans discernement, il met tout le monde dans le même panier. Or de nombreux Pentecôtistes équilibrés, se départissent des enseignements médiatisés et en vogue chez un public populaire parce qu'il répond à un besoin immédiat : la parole de foi, la prospérité matérielle...
A l'inverse de ce qu'affirme MacArthur, les théologiens Pentecôtistes ont apporté beaucoup à la théologie évangélique et à l'église mondiale.
La position cessationniste devient intenable : affirmer d'une part, la cessation des dons surnaturels (langues, prophétie, miracles, apôtre, prophète), et de l'autre soutenir par exemple la continuation du don d'enseignement...
J'ai beaucoup aimé le traitement très documenté qu'a fait le Dr Brown dans son ouvrage et l'ayant traduit il y a quelques mois de cela, il sera bientôt disponible pour le public francophone.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A STRONG REBUTTAL OF JOHN MACARTHUR’S ‘STRANGE FIRE’ CONFERENCE/BOOK

Charismatic author Michael Brown wrote in the Preface to this 2015 book, “I have almost always enjoyed and affirmed [John MacArthur’s] message. So this book is not written out of frustration, nor do I have an axe to grind… I’m aware that Dr. MacArthur… has been on the radio far longer than I, and that I have a responsibility to the larger listening audience… It is in that spirit that this book has been written… [This book] is not meant to be a rebuttal of ‘Strange Fire’ at every point. Instead, while interacting at times with material from the book and… while correcting what I believe to be serious errors and misstatements, the book is more of a positive response to ‘Strange Fire.’” (Pg. vii-viii) He explains that after the ‘Strange Fire’ conference in 2013, “I felt prompted to write a series of articles that addressed the controversies… respectfully appealing publicly and privately for a face to face meeting to discuss things together with other leaders. (That has not happened yet but I do hope it will in the not too distant future.) (Pg. ix)

He states in the first chapter, “Pastor MacArthur’s criticisms of the Charismatic Movement are inaccurate, unhelpful, often harshly judgmental, sometimes without scriptural support, and frequently divisive in the negative sense of the word. Where he rightly points out some of the most glaring and serious faults in the Charismatic Movement, I add my ‘Amen,’ having addressed these same abuses for many years myself… But when he damns millions of godly believers, demeans the real work of the Spirit, accuses true worshipers of blaspheming the Spirit, and calls for an all-out war against the Charismatic Movement, a strong corrective is needed, along with a positive statement of the truth of the matter. That is the purpose of this book.” (Pg. 2)

He recounts, “I was an eyewitness to and participant in … the Brownsville Revival… serving as a leader in roughly 800 revival services as well as more than 1,500 classes and teaching sessions. And I have been an eyewitness to the lasting fruit of that revival… Pastor MacArthur, however, had a very different assessment of the Brownsville Revival… So, because we spoke in tongues in the revival … because people were overcome by the Spirit’s power and often fell to the ground during the prayer time at the end of the service… because some people shook and trembled when they testified before being baptized, a Jesus-exalting, Word-based, Spirit-empowered, life-changing move of God was rejected and scorned in the strongest of terms.” (Pg. 36-38)

He clarifies, “If I had a dollar for every person who has recently asked me why I don’t renounce ‘people barking like dogs’ in meetings, I would be rich… in all my years with the Lord… I have never seen this phenomenon once… Of course I renounce ‘barking in the Spirit,’ but why in the world should I … even bring attention to it? It would be like asking me why I’m not renouncing snake handling services… In cessationist circles, that would be like me asking the speakers at the Strange Fire conference ‘Why didn’t you renounce Fred Phelps [of anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church] in every session?’” (Pg. 39-40)

He points out, “the sword cuts both ways… the most celebrated theologian who spoke at the Strange Fire conference was R.C. Sproul, who was mentored by… Dr. John Gerstner, the one who called dispensationalism a heresy. In fact, it was Dr. Sproul who wrote the Foreword to Gerstner’s book! … should we judge John MacArthur as being guilty of giving a platform to the man who wrote the Foreword to the book that branded MacArthur’s theology heretical?” (Pg. 95)

He notes that in the book ‘The Jews and Their Lies,’ Martin Luther wrote that we should burn down their synagogues: “Go back and read [MacArthur’s chapter] outlining the various scandals associated with Pentecostal and charismatic leaders, from Charles Parham to Ted Haggard, and see if all of them combined come anywhere near the scandals associated with Luther… What, then, does this day of Protestantism as a whole if the genetic fallacy were actually true?” (Pg. 105-106) He adds, “Calvin held to ‘double predestination’… a doctrine that I personally find more offensive than the doctrine that God wants His people to prosper financially.” (Pg. 109)

He summarizes, “The Strange Fire movement … not only committed the … genetic fallacy… but it also fails to use equal weights and measures … I also understand how glaring and pronounced some charismatic failings have been, especially with the pervasive influence of the internet and Christian TV… the Strange Fire movement would do best to … recogniz[e] the wonderful things the Spirit is doing worldwide in the Charismatic movement… helping us reduce the number of scandals by getting to the real roots of the problems…” (Pg. 114-115)

He suggests, “recognizing the massive expansion of the Charismatic Movement in the world in the last fifty years, representing the most rapid expansion of the gospel worldwide in history, it is not surprising that there are ‘errors in judgment’ and even ‘some delusions of Satan intermixed with the work.’ … this principle has been virtually lost on Pastor MacArthur, who judges the whole work by the errors and delusions of some.” (Pg. 127)

He acknowledges, “according to my limited knowledge of the situation, there were no grounds for divorce for Paula White and her husband and I do not see how they can rightly continue in ministry now, especially without even taking a break… I am not minimizing the scope and the nature of the scandals that have sometimes plagued the Charismatic Movement, including lack of proper discipline and restoration processes for fallen, celebrity preachers. I will simply repeat that: 1) this is a symptom of celebrity and power more than anything else, and it does not represent the far, far greater majority of charismatic ministers… 2) we could make quite a long list of divorced and discredited non-charismatic leaders… 3) the Strange Fire approach is sadly lacking in love for others…” (Pg. 149)

He quotes First Corinthians, and comments, “Nowhere does Paul (or any other New Testament author) say that this impartation of the Spirit was given for a few decades, at most, and nowhere does he say that these gifts were given to confirm the apostles’ message. Rather, they are the gracious workings of the Spirit through the body ‘for the common good.’” (Pg. 200) He continues, “I repeat my challenge, based on sola Scriptura: Since Paul commanded us to see prophecy and other spiritual gifts, what biblical text negates this? Since he commanded us not to quench the Spirit with specific contextual reference to prophecies, what portion of Scripture now nullifies this?” (Pg. 204)

He proposes, “based on these verses from Galatians [5:14-5], I laid out these five principles, which I submit here… with the hope that by following them, we can avoid unnecessary casualties. 1) We really do need each other… 2) Surgeons cut carefully. Sometimes we like to be bombastic and make sweeping statements… 3) Don’t be hasty to call others false prophets or false teachers… 4) Before we differ with each other we have to understand each other… 5) Major on the majors…” (Pg. 236-239)

He argues, “What’s wrong with the songs and melodies? Perhaps they actually help us to ENGAGE the mind rather than DISENGAGE it? Perhaps they often DEEPEN the truths we are singing and ENHANCE the worship we are offering?... Pastor MacArthur is actually claiming that a Reformed church is more biblical in worship because it uses older music forms (many of which were simply the norm for the society in their age)? He is claiming that following ‘all the great Reformed teachers’ … takes the place of the biblical mandates to raise our hands in prayer, or to kneel before Him in prayer (or fall prostrate before him in worship), or to clap or shout or dance in His presence or to use soul-stirring instruments like cymbals or timbrels? And would he have faulted the lame man who was healed in Acts 3 for entering the Temple ‘walking and leaping and praising God’ (Acts 3:8)? … Had this joyful man engaged in enough serious theological reflection before engaging in such celebration?” (Pg. 290-291)

He recounts, “For a number of years, our ministry school was largely underwritten by one Christian businessman who believed that God called him to succeed in business so that he could bless the Body of Christ, and we watched with amazement as God prospered him and multiplied his funds. We have told him … that, without exaggeration that, from a human perspective, our school would have closed years ago if not for his obedience, faith, and generosity… But if this brother had reacted against the carnal prosperity message to the point that he developed a … poverty mentality himself, none of this would have happened.” (Pg. 313)

This book will be of great interest to those seeking a defense of Charismatic/Pentecostal theology against such criticisms as John MacArthur’s.

[Simon Wartanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toward the end of 2014 I read and watched Strange Fire and was convinced of Cessationism not because of the Scriptures, but because of the abuse by some Charismatic teachers and tele-evangelists. Recently, I started studying the Scriptures and books from both sides on this matter and have become convinced that Cessationism is an extra- and unbiblical doctrine. The NT assumes that the gifts will continue until the Parousia of our Lord.

Dr. Brown's response is biblical, passionate and friendly. He counters Dr. MacArthur's (whom I greatly love) and other cessationist arguments and statement by Scriptures and also testimonies. Many have noted that MacArthur's claim that most of the movement is made of unbelievers is outrageous. He basically lumps all Charismatics into the unbelieving side. It is easy to see that this is an absolute exaggeration. Dr. Brown responds with love and demonstrates that this is absolutely not the case and that most Charismatics are Bible believing and Jesus exalting people. We should not judge the whole movement simply by the abuse of some people which are easy to be see on TV or YouTube.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and also the appendices were good, especially Storms'.

[Tom Edelinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

An example of discernment and restraint

Michael Brown's response to the broad brush of John MacArthur's wholly unrestrained attack on Charismatic Christians is a carefully crafted and precisely penned rebuttal. Brother Brown has done his research and carefully, even lovingly, dismantles the hysterical tantrum that MacArthur hosted called the Strange Fire Conference. The result is a comprehensive retelling of modern church history and an invaluable setting forth of the real issues that are dividing the Body of Christ today. I would highly recommend this insightful work to believers on either side, and especially to those, who like myself, find themselves dangling somewhere in the middle. Thank you, Brother Brown for your example of how to "argue" a point while maintaining a Christ like demeanor.

[Tracy Rich alshouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed John Mac Arthur's book and did not see it as an indictment against all Charismatics, only the heretical section. Michael Brown agreed with pastor Mac Arthur on those very points. I appreciated Michael's defense of his faith but I think perhaps "the lady doth protest too much."

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great refutation of the anti-Pentecost voices of our day. Dr. Brown does a tremendous job defending the continuationist viewpoint while maintaining a loving demeanor that calls for unity in the body of Christ. This book serves as a call for believers to seek a real experience with God.

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce livre est une réponse au livre et à la conférence "Strange Fire" de John MacArthur, et en conséquence est limité par ce dernier. Il s'agit davantage de contrer la réthorique de John McArthur que d'exposer une défense systématique et en profondeur des charismes. Michael Brown le reconnaît d'entrée de jeu, et ne cherche pas à faire passer sa réponse pour un traité complet. Et il faut avouer que ce grand apologète sait y faire.

Sa plus grande force est son style à la fois plein de charité et très énergisant, des arguments qui ne sont peut être pas d'une grande complexité, mais d'une grande efficacité. Et en fin de compte il est exemplaire dans ce genre d'exercice. Mention spéciale au chapitre sur la "culpabilité par association", qui est devenue depuis la dernière décennie la colonne vertébrale de toute défense du cessationisme, alors même que c'est une erreur logique...

Cependant, parce que justement il s'agit d'une contre-réthorique destiné à corriger la réthorique creuse et inutilement agressive de John MacArthur, je n'allais donner à ce livre que 2/5. Jusqu'à ce que je découvre les annexes. Elles corrigent magistralement le défaut principal du livre en apportant des arguments beaucoup plus substantiels et rigoureux en défense du charismatisme, notamment de la part de Sam Storms et Craig Keener. C'est vraiment une très bonne idée de les avoir inclus, mis à part la dernière annexe, qui était deux pages inutiles et dommageables.

Résumons le propos à présent:

Son principal point fort est d'être très lisible et très bien fait pour les non-spécialistes et les non-théologiens. Mais c'est son principal point faible quand on parle d'un public plus averti.

[Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In looking for a response to Strange Fire, I came across Michael Brown's Authentic Fire which came as a surprise as I've previously known of Michael Brown for his ministry for the nation of Israel and its Messianic body. Micheal Brown who's a leader and voice in the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement offers a good and solid argument for John MacArthur's ideas in Strange Fire. Beyond just personal sentiment or bias towards a movement that he supported, Michael offered a lot of Biblical views on continuationism and why it's still valid for Christians of this generation. This is a valuable read after Strange Fire that will help to offer a more balanced approach to the danger of the the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement but yet calling for unity among believers in the body of Christ to edify and learn from one another.

[Samuel Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Michael L. Brown cuts through any bias of continuationism or cessationism with raw truth and love in Authentic Fire. I feel like I covered so much in only 418 pages (including Appendixes). I feel so much more knowledgeable about the New Testament gifts of the Spirit and the controversy surrounding them. Also, I feel adequately supplied with practical, clear, biblical evidence for continuationism. I feel encouraged to eat the scriptures like never before. Furthermore, I am filled with a desire for the Body of Christ to find the best in each other and hold on to what is good as we strive forward to make disciples of all nations. Although, I’m charismatic, I understand where cessationists are coming from and I feel love for my Calvinist and cessationist brothers in Christ. All of this after reading Brown’s Authentic Fire: A Response To John MacArthur’s Strange Fire.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valuable and necessary

It’s so sad to think that there are many in the Body of Christ who are running to things like the “Strange Fire” conference because the men speaking are known as scholars. There’s this thought that says, “Well they obvious have thought this through and they are smarter than me. I don’t want to go against them and appear foolish.”

Books like this show that they are not the only scholars at work. There’s well thought out rebuttals for every point.

My favorite statement in this book Is that you would get no thought of the argument of cessation’s claims when you read God’s Word. They have to be implanted and implied.

[Anda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read for class. This debate tires me. Both sides pointing the same way, yet not able to agree anything. I don’t feel the need to join in. I believe God can and will do what he wants, when he wants, and in who he wants. I’m not going to tell God what to do or not do. That’s all this debate is about. Humans faking and shunning as opposed to watching and waiting. We are so far from the times of Christ it doesn’t surprise me there is friction in these areas. I don’t think we really know God like we think we do, so I leave the mystery of him to be revealed in his time.

[Iova David · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book that finally does want to refute John MacArthur's book.
Maybe you would expect to at least say that some of the movement it's wrong..doesn't say anything about the big issues from the big charismatics figures...
He's trying to pose a point between charismatics and cessationists, when actually the charismatics are only identified with them and part of the penticostals.

[Joel Toppen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a number of books that constitute an "answer" to another author, or to another theological or intellectual position. What makes this book stand out is the honoring tone in which it is written. The author IS passionate about the issues. But he is at the same time, very respectful to the PEOPLE representing the other "side" of the position.

[Zdenek Sykora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like very much John MacArthur with his expository preaching and his deep Theology but in some of His books are errors in the interpretation from the Greek New Testament expecially in context of the "Charismata of The Holy Spirit". This book is very good response to critics of charismatic movement.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for irenic tone
3 stars for actual engagement with specific arguments from Strange Fire (though clear enough to demonstrate major problems)
5 stars for Keener's appendix
3 stars for logical leaps and general biblical engagement

[Michelle Ule · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's important to recognize this was a response to a conference in 2013.

I appreciated Brown's explanations--and understood the reasons for his deep theological digs into Scripture.

While it felt overly long to me, it probably wouldn't to someone checking the resources.

[Parker Wagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to learn more about way we are continuationist. This book explains what church history and the bible says about the continued moving of the gifts of the Spirit.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, thorough and loving refutation of the doctrine of cessationism!

[Toyin Ajetunmobi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book!