My critical review of John MacArthur’s Strange Fire & Charismatic Chaos is now available.
The review is 75 pages long. It is a digital book. There are no plans for a printed edition, but you can easily print it out and create your own print version.
What follows is the Table of Contents and Endorsements.
The cover design was created by Ryan J. Rhoades of ReformationDesigns.com.
Ryan & his wife Laura specialize in many forms of custom graphic and media design and their clients have appeared in Forbes, the New York Times, the Huffington Post, and many other popular periodicals. They currently live in San Jose, California.
Contents
1. Why I’m Making This Critique Available
2. Broken Fellowship Over a Peripheral Doctrine
3. Commending & Criticizing MacArthur’s Charismatic Blasting
4. Did the Sign Gifts Cease During the Age of the Apostles?
5. The Scriptures and the Power of God
6. The Relationship Between Truth and Experience
7. Revelation Misunderstood
8. Interpreting the Bible by the Spirit and the Intellect
9. The Third Wave
10. Does God Still Heal Today?
11. What About Health and Wealth?
12. Did the Apostolic Ministry Really Disappear?
13. That Thorny Gift of Tongues
14. Five Big Questions
15. A Challenge & Request
Appendix: Does the Bible Replace the Role of Supernatural Gifts?
Endorsements
“Frank Viola offers a clear, concise, and penetrating response to the harshest expression of hard cessationism today, while at many points also inviting readers to greater biblical fidelity and a deeper walk with Christ.”
Craig Keener, Professor of New Testament at Asbury Seminary
“Strange Fire has re-ignited a debate among Christians that will likely never be fully resolved this side of heaven. But the dialogue need not be characterized by angry and divisive rhetoric. While we should all aim for theological clarity and understanding, we should as readily be concerned for Christ-like charity and unity. Frank Viola’s insightful analysis of MacArthur’s rejection of charismatic theology and practice should contribute immensely to our growth in grace and a deeper understanding and experience of the Spirit’s work in the church today. One need not agree with Viola on every point to profit greatly from this work.”
Sam Storms, Ph.D., Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OK
“What a great, edifying read! This is not only an effective, concise rebuttal to Pastor MacArthur’s Charismatic Chaos and Strange Fire, but it presents a Jesus-exalting, faith-building case for the continuance of the New Testament gifts of the Spirit, replete with excellent, inspirational quotes.”
Michael L. Brown, Ph.D., author of Authentic Fire: A Response to John MacArthur’s Strange Fire (December, 2013)
“Strange Fire has ignited a debate on the issue of Christian experience that at times has generated more heat than light. Frank Viola’s contribution avoids the unhelpful rhetoric of some, and demonstrates his biblical convictions. Viola rejects the extreme views of many who are charismatics or cessationists. This critique will definitely help you understand the perspective of one who could be called a moderate charismatic.”
Adrian Warnock, adrianwarnock.com
I’m glad to see you are working or talking with Craig Keener 🙂 His 2 vol. work “Miracles”, in my opinion, really needs to be addressed by all scholars who try to dismiss the supernatural. Keener is quite the academic, and someone really hasn’t done their homework if they haven’t addressed this work. Does MacArthur mention Keener’s work?
Thanks for writing a refutation. “Nothing good has ever come out of the Charismatic Movement,” except the redemption of the third world, who largly had/has nothing but the Spirit of Christ.
Also, Darren Wilson has some really well done documentaries on the supernatural. You should check them out some time: Finger of God, Furious Love, and Father of Lights.
For those who don’t use e-books, will this be available in paper-print form?
No. But you can print it out and create a print edition.
Thanks. I appreciate your helpfulness.
I know you are faithful to contact an author before releasing a public critique of their work and I know you’ve been working on this for some time so I’m curious, have you received a response from John about it yet?
I’m eager to see what you’ve put together.
He never responded.
Look forward to it. Excellent reviews by the way.
thank u 4 your progressive revelation – it has turned my life around.