Playing With Holy Fire: A Wake-Up Call to the Pentecostal-Charismatic Church

by Michael L. Brown

Over the last hundred-plus years the Pentecostal-Charismatic church has witnessed miraculous conversions. From the Azusa Street Revival, which began in 1906, a movement has grown to bring more people to Jesus than any other movement in history. While secularism continues to be on the rise in today's society, many areas of the world still experience church growth, thanks to Pentecostal-Charismatic Christians. But the Pentecostal-Charismatic church is also plagued with sexual immorality, financial corruption, doctrinal error, personal flakiness, spiritual gullibility, prophetic abuse, and more. In many ways the state of the church today is not too different from how it was long ago in Corinth. To make matters worse, the church hides these acts under the cloak of liberty in the Holy Spirit.  Michael Brown sounds a wake-up call to the church and addresses some of the most glaring problems, from inaccurate prophetic words that obscure true ones to ministries using scripturally armed marketing techniques in order to manipulate believers into giving. Brown shows us why we must clean up house so the church can grow, flourish, and fulfill God's kingdom purposes. 

Genres: Theology, Religion, Audiobook, Christianity, Christian Living

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2018

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

[Matthew Manchester]

Before I discuss this book, I need to give a few mentions of my background and life.

I was raised and attended Assemblies of God (AG) churches till I turned 32. Looking back, half of that time was spent in a traditional Pentecostal setting, while the second half took place in a more Charismatic setting. I still believe deeply in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but now term myself a soft-continuationist. I believe there are three tiers on each side of the cessationist/continuationist positions: soft, hard, extreme. I consider most of charismaticism happening now to be on the extreme side of the continuationist position. I will talk more about this later.

I also am indebted to Dr Michael Brown and Dr Robert Gladstone for my first true jolt of what knowledge/theology could lead to. Our family was deeply impacted by The Brownsville Revival, traveling there multiple times both as a family and as a church. I've stood 13 hours in the cold rain outside Brownsville Assembly of God in order to get inside and grab a good seat, especially since those sitting closer got to get prayed for more easily. Dr Michael Brown (and Dr Robert Gladstone as Dean) ran The Brownsville School of Ministry. Hearing them preach/teach, reading their books, I started to see how the mind can be used for the glory of God and how deep scripture really is.

I have followed Dr Michael Brown's ministry since the start of FIRE School of Ministry and I am super thankful for the work God has him doing in the world today. We are better with it.

I say all of this because I feel I am uniquely qualified to review this book.

And with that said, I am deeply disappointed and partly angry with it.

SUMMARY

In 2013, John MacArthur released his infamous book Strange Fire. This book, alongside a conference focused around the same book really stirred up/triggered/angered the charismatic and continuationist camps as many felt that MacArthur gave little good with the camp and painted with way too broad a brush. MacArthur took what is easily a hard-cessationist position that might lean over into extreme-cessationism.

The book responses came soon after with RT Kendall writing Holy Fire: A Balanced, Biblical Look at the Holy Spirit's Work in Our Lives and Dr Michael Brown writing Authentic Fire: A Response to John MacArthur's Strange Fire. These books agree with MacArthur's book on several problems and problem characters in the charismatic world, but overall defends the camp against MacArthur's charges about charismaticism and continuationism. At the end of the day, MacArthur mentioned that if they would clean their own house, he wouldn't have had to write his book at all. *rolls eyes*

Enter Playing With Holy Fire: A Wake-Up Call to the Pentecostal-Charismatic Church, a book focused on cleaning its own house.

Brown both opens and closes the book stating that this book was not written because of the critics. I found this quite disingenuous. As we can see, there is a clear cause and reaction that led to this book being written. It might not be written for his critics, but it's absolutely written because of them and he knows that they will be reading this book.

Brown's book is about 65% correction and 35% affirmation. In every correction he brings, he always points to what the Lord is doing when things are done correctly & biblically. Brown doesn't have a focused list of problems defined by chapters, but there are primarily four areas of grave concern to the charismatic camp, listed in order to time spent on subject:

1. Prosperity gospel
2. Sexual immorality
3. Forgoing bible reading in favor of prophecy or "new revelation"
4. Unaccountable prophets/prophecy

Brown will touch on a few other issues, but he really stays on these four issues.

THE GOOD

There's a lot of good in this book. As Brown focuses on these four areas, he speaks with authority and calls out sin for what it is. My favorite point of the entire book was Brown's constant refrain: "we are far too gullible." He even talks a little about why this is, giving both positive reasons and negative ones.

He's also rides a decent line on Christian purity/sanctification without becoming moralistic/legalistic. For those who've read Brown's Go and Sin No More: A Call to Holiness (one of my favorite books of his), this will feel very similar and delightful.

Brown also does not "name names" (sorry MacArthur). I was upset with this at first but ended up agreeing with the decision. Here's the reason: Brown doesn't want the camp to be defined (only) by a few large players, rather he wants the everyday, rural Charismatic/Pentecostal church to be the standard, which means he can't just critique the big guys, but he has to critique a bunch of people we don't know about. Outside of mentioning Jim Jones, I don't think he mentions any other names. However, by description of the person/event, you can guess pretty accurately who Brown is talking about many times, at least if you are still involved in that camp.

THE CHALLENGES

*breathes deeply*

Okay, let's begin. I had a bunch of issues with this book, but I will (ironically) focus on only four things:

The missing issues. Charismaticism has been changing the past ten years. (As a majority, I believe Pentecostalism has turned into Charismaticism already). I believe Brown's list is both incomplete and outdated. Don't get me wrong, all four issues are still significant problems in that camp, but there are other issues that are just as troubling.

The biggest for me is the full embrace of mysticism. The Christian life is a mystical one, but there is a difference between the Holy Spirit's daily working & communicating with us and embracing mystical practices in an effort to gain more spiritual power or new revelation. In my mind, one of the biggest problems in the camp is the partnering with Bethel Church in Redding, California that is happening. The crazy experiences and teachings they not only share but push are very troubling to me. I know this is a problem because I was involved in it. The things I have seen and that I have personally done, in the name of the Spirit, shakes me to this day. And none of it was gross or flagrant sin. Most of it was just mystic asceticism. Colossians 2:18 is a bigger problem in the church than Brown mentions. Brown brushes past these kind of issues in his book, which I will talk more about shortly.

Note: In case the reader is wondering what other issues I would find a problem: mysticism, the seminaries, the abusive leadership structures (Brown does touch on this, thankfully), the severe doctrinal issues particularly regarding modalism, creating spectacles, and a true understanding of the gospel of grace -- to name a few, not in any order.

Charisma House. While Brown doesn't mention any names, I was really disappointed that he had Charisma House publish this book. Charisma is easily one of the leaders of every issue Brown and I have with the Charismatic camp. It's insane, so for me, many of his arguments fall flat. It's like someone who decries online privacy violations and then partners with Facebook.

Arguments from ignorance. I mentioned earlier that Brown passed on most mystical issues. The way he does this though is particularly frustrating. Brown uses the "only God knows" approach, where all crazy manifestations, prophecies, and experiences can't be fully discounted because God could do something life that. It's very similar to Brown's other book Let No One Deceive You where Brown says something is possible just because something similar happened once in scripture. As long as it is not mentioned directly in scripture, Brown gives a pass to many things.

Brown writes a lot on things he has experienced himself in many churches that cause him to open to more crazier possibilities. But that is the problem. We don't build our theology for allowable experiences based on our previous encounters. When people do that, the encounters will always grow bigger, more dramatic, crazier, and easily unbiblical. Brown states he doesn't want to quench the Spirit by calling something evil that is truly from God. However, I believe it is more important to guard and protect Christ's bride against attacks, even if it means we get something wrong here and there.

Unclear definitions. Finally, my last key frustration is Brown's amalgamation of terms and definitions. IMO, there are three camps that he mentions that are distinct: continuationists, Pentecostals, and Charismatics. Brown speaks of all three the same and as one, and while sometimes he's right, most of the time it leads to confusion on what group he's focusing on (the groups do not believe all the same things or practice the same things). Needless to say, it's a very nuanced conversation. I didn't expect MacArthur to be nuanced when talking about it, but I did expect Brown to. Though, due to all the changes, maybe all the Spirit-filled people need to get together and work out some new camps & terms, because the whole camp is evolving.

CONCLUSION

So here I am at the end feeling grateful for the things that were mentioned, but sorely disappointed about the things that were missed. I'm grateful that Dr Brown has constantly written on big topics affecting the church (see Hyper-Grace: Exposing the Dangers of the Modern Grace Message, Can You Be Gay and Christian?: Responding With Love and Truth to Questions About Homosexuality, or Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus: General and Historical Objections). But here in this book, I feel Brown stayed very safe, keeping most of his criticism for things that people can see on television. There are already more than enough books on these subjects (for instance, see Costi Hinn's new book God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies). The problem is that for every issue people can see, there are dozens left unseen under the surface. I was hoping Brown was someone with a deeper relationship with this community (like myself) who would see that and want to address it. Maybe one day he will write a sequel.

Two stars.

[Philip Brown]

This book was OK. It said a lot of things that I think anyone with common sense would agree with, and had some insightful observations as well.

-My main contention with the book is that it seemed as though he didn't even nearly go far enough. This is a movement absolutely riddled with doctrinal error (I say this as continuationist myself), and I think a book written for the purpose of addressing some of these things would have a lot of things to address. The chapter on doctrinal errors, for example, was far too short and left out many important things: what about the little gods stuff, the trinitarian errors, the word faith stuff, and the really crazy stuff people commonly say about tongues? There are a lot of things that need to be cleared up, and the book just needed to be longer.
- Also, I don't like the way Brown seems to equivocate between 'Pentecostal' and 'Charismatic.' They technically don't mean the same thing (one is a very specific doctrinal system and one is very general). It gets to a point where I find it hard to know who he's addressing, and who he's including in his group.
- I would have really loved to hear a discussion of ecclesiology, because from my perspective it seems many of the problems in this movement come from bad ecclesiology (unqualified leadership, lack of covenantal membership, bad theology of preaching etc.) I would have loved to hear him give tangible, biblical advice on a solid structure of the church that would keep people that are making these errors accountable. Not a lot on it though.

[Joel Toppen]

Dr. Brown offers a much needed perspective on the movement in which he has participated for fifty years. As someone who was raised in the Pentecostal movement, I have long shared many of these concerns. I'm SO weary of the way in which a few people cheapen what I KNOW to be authentic, with that which is fake. Enough of the fakes, flakes, and fruitcakes.

[Fred]

4-Stars out of 5
This is a painful book to read and process. There's no doubt that Michael Brown has brought up a necessary subject. And there's no doubt that he handles it with the skill and thoroughness that we've come to expect from his written work. Never-the-less, it's painful to hear just how bad things really are in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. I knew that it was bad, but I honestly had no idea that it was this bad!

Like going to the Dentist to have a cavity drilled this book was good medicine despite any momentary discomfort.

Further, speaking as someone who is both Reformed and Charismatic, I appreciated his word to critics at the end of the book. I would encourage all my cessationist friends who are Reformed to read it and give it serious consideration. Like the author, I am Charismatic because I am Sola Scriptura. Period. And like the author, I am Charismatic because, stated plainly, cessationism is exegetically unsustainable if one is truly Sola Scriptura. Period. And Reformed friends, no amount of bullying, bludgeoning, mocking, and peer pressure will change either of those facts. Neither will trying to shame or intimidate me for saying so. Sorry.

The only real negative that I have in regard to this book is the chapter in which Dr. Brown waxes poetic on the good ol' days of the Jesus Movement and Charismatic Renewal when God was acting dramatically through a fresh move of the Holy Spirit and miracles. The author seems to hold this period up as some kind of flawed golden age that we should strive to get back to. Well, I was there too and I only have this to say to that: Thanks, but no thanks. Or if you prefer, the words of the Bible:

Do not say,
“Why were the former days better than these?”
For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
-- Ecclesiastes 7:10 NKJV

I would respectfully counter that those days, in their own way, were just as bad or worse than today. In particular, I have no desire to return to the flakey, feelings-based, anti-intellectualism of those days. I have no to waste my life in endless, self-seeking piety than never engages the world wasting in sin outside our church doors. I have no desire for the type of "antiseptic Christianity" that makes itself culturally irrelevant in the name of "holiness". Dr. Brown, if you really want to know where so much of today's problems in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement came from, you need only go back to those days. Thanks, but no thanks! Never again, I will I return to all that nonsense.

We finally seem to have moved closer to a balance between sound hermeneutics and the leading of the Spirit. We finally seem to be engaging rather than running away from the cultures of the societies that we're in. No, it's not perfect, but we need to stay there and not go backward. Period.

Finally, I'm going to end this review with a challenge to the author: "Authentic Fire" was a masterpiece. A classic. However, you almost undid all the good of the book through your post-published behavior. Appearing on a TV show is like an endorsement of the host, and Dr. Brown appearing on Benny Hinn's show immediately after the publication of Authentic Fire was not only not wise, it was, to be blunt, downright stupid. To endorse a Charlatan and a Prosperity Gospel heretic immediately after publishing a book denouncing his ilk demonstrated bad judgment and a lack of common sense. Ditto for your refusal to stop hosting equally errant Charismaniacs on your radio show. Dr. Brown, you can't condemn the teachings and behavior of heretics on one hand and then implicitly endorse them with the other. Sir, you have to make a choice, you can't have it both ways!

Overall, I find myself torn. I read your books and they are fantastic. Yet when I look at your behavior outside of the books, it seems to undo the very good that you do in them! Dr. Brown, you would do us all a favor by letting your words and deeds agree. In Jesus' Name, I plead with you, please make a change!

So in summary, I loved the book and will be recommending it to others. But also I plead with the author, please, please, please do not undermine this book as you have others through your post-publication choices. Use better judgment.

Thank you for reading my review, I hope that it was helpful.

[Xijian Lim]

Caveat: I listened to 3 hours of a 7 hour audio book.

I was drawn to the title because I wanted to see (in this case, hear) about how evengelical/pentecostals would critically self examine their own religious life, and seeing an author with a PhD in the title would provide some modicum of objectivity. Boy was this absolutely far from the case.

High points: Michael Brown does clamp down on of the more questionable practices and does explain that these (my words, not his) outright con jobs simply ensnare evengelicals/pentecostals because people who experience being more spiritually in tune may be more trusting in these Christian circles.

Low points: While trying to not throw the baby out of the bath water, his defence lies in examples of what true "spiritual" gifts are, which is highly questionable itself and relies on pattern forming/barnum effect to the max:

One example: a lady came to church with the spiritual intuition that a prophet/church leader was going to proclaim something about her son who has fallen away from the faith. This church leader shouts "macaroni and cheese!" which in turn triggers her to remember that this son delivers "macaroni and cheese" (who the hell delivers macaroni and cheese exclusively as a job is beyond me). In a few months her son return to the fold.

Other ridiculous examples include people who had intuitive compulsions to ask things like "does 'keep on truckin' mean anything to you?" or "does 'my bella vita' have any special meaning?' and in turn causing the respondents to be surprised and see these as "signs' from God. I'm not from America but even I know that these common idioms and phrases are ubiquitous in modern pop culture.

Other incredible low points include is his patronizing attitude, especially with Africans. One example was when he explain how some in the African ministry have been very strong in their faith and even come to minister in America, and even knows some people who married Africans! Why is this such a surprise in these modern times? Why even make this statement at all?!

I'm sorry, but this logic really gripes: Saying that con jobs is bad, but providing little tricks like cold reading (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_re...) for defending this movement just renders these sets of practices as equally circumspect.

Further more, this audio book is really dry.

[Nathan Casebolt]

Criticisms of the flamboyant excesses of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement are a dime a dozen. Rare indeed, though, is the criticism that comes from within the movement itself.

Michael Brown is no backseat driver, either, lobbing complaints from a safe distance. He's a lifelong leader in the movement who prays in tongues and has slain others in the Spirit. He's given up none of his belief that the gifts of the Spirit still operate — he believes Scripture opposes cessationism, and for him the primary witness of the Bible is secondarily confirmed by his own experiences of miraculous power.

This to me is what makes Brown's book so interesting. He, as a Charismatic scholar trained in the languages of the Bible and active both in ministry and in apologetics, pulls no punches in his disgust at the worst hallmarks of his own movement: apostles who live in kingly luxury at the expense of the poor, rampant sexual exploitation in the name of God, freewheeling doctrine unmoored from Scripture, and a trademark gullibility that makes Charismatics regular targets of the most obnoxious and most obvious con artists.

It's easy enough to sit outside and say, "This is all baked in. Once you open yourself to the possibility of prophetic words and manifestations of power, there are no boundaries and anything goes." Having read Brown's book, I'm not sure that's a fair criticism. Whether you're a cessationist or not, he's certainly an example of someone who distinguishes between "small a" apostles gifted to lead the church today, and the twelve "capital A" apostles whose teachings in the Bible are the rule to which all modern gifts and prophecies must be held accountable. It is clearly possible to reject cessationism and hold to the gifts without ripping up the Bible and descending into chaos.

I think this is what makes Brown's book important and compelling for my Pentecostal and Charismatic brethren. I have little to offer beyond the simplistic and (frankly) dismissive arguments of the outsider. This book by contrast is a clarion call from one Charistmatic to another to recognize that even as they have been the greatest globally evangelistic force in the past century, they’ve also often been phenomenally guilty of destroying their Lord's reputation, through hideous deformities such as the Prosperity Gospel and the abusive rule of the sort of super-apostles that plagued the church of Corinth.

Michael Brown gave me, a non-Charistmatic, a lot to think about in terms of my own commitment to holiness, outreach, humilty, and submission to the Spirit's promptings. I hope his co-laborers in Christ are equally ready to receive his gentle but uncompromising rebuke.

[Brandon H.]

An important book for Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians. Here Dr. Michael Brown offers some important, constructive criticism of some of the excesses that have sprung up in the Charismatic movement in recent days. Our movement would greatly benefit from heeding the sage advice offered in this book. I especially liked the spirit in which the criticisms were delivered - not harsh or in a spirit of contempt but one in which love and grace were mixed with the truth that has the potential to set people free from the snares of the flesh and the deceiving works of the devil. I also liked the fact that Dr. Brown emphasized throughout the book that the excesses and problems he addressed were not as common as some other critics would have us believe. He doesn't paint all Charismatics and Pentecostals with a broad brush that misrepresents reality. At the same time, he doesn't coddle us. He respectfully implores and challenges us to address the toxic practices and abuses done in the name of the Spirit. I believe that those who have left the movement and even moved towards cessationism in their doctrine because of some painful experiences will also benefit greatly from this contribution.

Here's a checklist he had in the book to help identify abusive leaders which can be helpful for those in every denominational background and stream -

"How can you determine if you are sitting under abusive leaders? You can use this as a simple checklist.

Do they put you under pressure even with embarrassment or threats if you don't unquestioningly follow their lead or worst of all if you contemplate leaving?

Are they getting rich off from your giving? Especially your sacrificial giving?

Are they lording it over you rather than leading by example?

Do they constantly speak of their special gifting, calling, anointing, and authority?

Do they tell you how privileged you are to have people like them at the helm?

Are they lone rangers lacking accountability?

Are they harsh, mean-spirited, short-tempered, and insulting to any whose allegiance they question?

"If you answered yes to any one of these questions, you might want to pray about moving elsewhere. If you answered yes to two of these questions, you should strongly consider leaving. If you answered yes to three of these questions, I seriously urge you to make a change before you and your family get seriously hurt. If you answered yes to all of them by all means, run for your life. This applies to you all the more, if you're not a rebel at heart..." Pg 78

[Jerry Cagle]

The author’s surprise that Pentecostals and those of other, similar belief systems (charismatic, et. al.) display a greater than average degree of gullibility, as evidenced, for one, by their frequent fleecing by self-serving charlatans, is in itself surprising. This should really surprise no one - the entire premise of religious belief requires an enormous degree of gullibility.

The two basic, universally defining, foundational beliefs of Pentecostalism are that baptism with the holy spirit, indicates that the believer has been “filled with the holy spirit”, as evidenced by the individual speaking in tongues, and that the bible in its original form is inerrant. The first is untestable, but that the bible is inerrant is simply nonsense. The average novel has fewer contradictions in it than the bible. And who among these people can read the bible in its original form? And those few that can must then translate it for those who can’t whereby it is no longer in its original form.

Belief in god and belief in the afterlife is tantamount to belief in magic. Both offer the promise that if you just say the right words and perform certain activities you can control the outcome of events. I kid you not. Where is the difference between prayer and magical incantation? Both spring from wishful thinking and denial of mortality.

At one point in the book the author quotes 1 Corinthians 14:33 “…for god is not a god of confusion but of peace…” In the same chapter he describes “prophecy given a young child that had been raped by her father and goes on to claim that god was there with her while she was being raped. There’s nothing confusing about that? God is a god of peace? Seriously? The average 2nd grader has a more highly developed sense of morality than the god of the bible. If that’s your god you can have him. No thank you.

[Jamin Bradley]

I began learning about and experiencing the ways of the Holy Spirit in college and it completely changed my life. But after spending some time in the movement, I found myself confused about many different things. I heard many strange and unbiblical theological statements and found that people far too often let experience write their understanding of God. Over the years I’ve actually felt some of this get even worse.

I never stopped believing in the Holy Spirit’s power and I’ve continued to try to practice and teach it as a pastor, but I decided to do so by immersing myself in the Scriptures and testing the people I was learning from. After years of learning, I even started writing a book on the subject.

All of that being said, this is hands down a book I give a 5 star review to. While loving the charismatic side of the church just as much as I do, Brown calls us all to account with a deep study of the Scriptures. I have felt nervous as of late with many of the charismatic books I’ve seen, but this one has encouraged me like few on the topic have over the years.

I’d consider it a must read for any charismatic, as well as for anyone who has been turned off by charismatics. Brown’s words will help God convict and clean us up if we’re willing to listen.

[Darryl Le Roux]

An incredible critique of the pentecostal movement from one of their own. Brown lays down truth and facts where they are wanted. However, he never compromises the Gospel.

No names are given, and I appreciate that. Truth will always overcome the lies, and lies will never overshadow the truth. That being said, I believe readers on both sides of the subject will appreciate this book, as Brown holds no punches, and yet deals with the issues so gracefully. What a Godsend.

End result, God is the one that bestows the gifts...gifts is exactly the issue. No one can lay claim to these talents.

[Mark Dunn]

MR Brown's world view (Tongues, modern day apostles and prophets) is outside the historically accepted interpretation of Scripture. The anecdotal evidence of miracles was tiring almost painful. Then when you least expected it he would give a correct insightful look a Scripture ,but I'll still not read anymore Charismatic books.

[Wilson]

This is a follow up read after Authentic Fire with Michael Brown undertaking a deeper exposure of the modern Charismatic Movement. However, there were a lot of repetitive ideas from Authentic Fire which was expounded more and better in this book. I’d still recommend this book which serves as a reminder for the church of this generation to truly understand our theological stand.

[Jonathan]

This is an open, honest, and sincere look at the excesses of the Pentecostal and charismatic churches. Michael Brown provides examples without name dropping. It's a refreshing look at a problem within the church. But it is also an encouraging message he weaves throughout the book. We as Christians need to get better at representing our Lord.

[JJ]

Dr. Brown writes about the abuses in the Pentecostal Church without framing the whole denomination as negative. I think this book is important to know what to look for in church abuse and to always be diligent about keeping church leadership biblical and accountable.

[Phillip Hitt]

I couldn't stop reading it!

I really appreciate Dr. Michael Brown's willingness to deal with the abuses in the Pentecostal/Charismatic Church. He was firm, but as always you could sense the compassion in his tone. This was a much needed work.

[Michael Evans]

My opinion is this work is honest and balanced. Dr. Brown loves charismatics & Pentecostals. However, he strongly rebukes those who abuse God’s people. It is an honest look at the movements. With recent developments with fresh accusations of moral failure, this book becomes ever more relevant.

[Douglas Michalak]

An excellent perspective and critique of a certain mentality within the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement of which Dr. Brown is a part. Having grown up in this stream of Christianity myself, I can attest to the truths presented here...

[abigail]

Great book with a balanced perspective

I really appreciated the balanced perspective of this book. Dr. Brown respectfully call out abuses of the Charismatic Movement, without diminishing the or denying the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit which are in operation and for today.

[Kyle]

A much needed and fair review. Self judgement is a must for the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement to move forward in any truly fruitful way and I say this as one.

[David Schiff]

This an excellent book to answer questions about the Holy Spirit and revival in the modern day church.

[John Hoselton]

Important

This book really needed to be written. He said what needed to be said. I think he should've named names.