Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship

John F. MacArthur

Nov 2013 · Thomas Nelson · Narrated by Maurice England

About this audiobook

In Strange Fire, bestselling author and pastor John MacArthur chronicles the unsavory history behind the modern Charismatic movement.

What would God say about those who blatantly misrepresent His Holy Spirit; who exchange true worship for chaotic fits of mindless ecstasy; who replace the biblical gospel with vain illusions of health and wealth; who claim to prophesy in His name yet speak errors; and who sell false hope to desperate people for millions of dollars?

The charismatic movement has always been a breeding-ground for scandal, greed, bad doctrine, and all kinds of spiritual chicanery. As a movement, it is clearly headed the wrong direction. And it is growing at an unprecedented rate.

From the Word of Faith to the New Apostolic Reformation, the Charismatic movement is being consumed by the empty promises of the prosperity gospel. Too many charismatic celebrities promote a “Christianity” without Christ, a Holy Spirit without holiness. And their teaching is having a disastrous influence on a grand scale, as large television networks broadcast their heresies to every part of the world.

In Strange Fire, MacArthur lays out a chilling case against the modern Charismatic movement that includes:

• Rejecting its false prophets.
• Speaking out against their errors.
• Showing true reverence to the Holy Spirit.
• Clinging to the Bible as the inerrant, authoritative Word of God and the one true standard by which all truth claims must be tested.

Ratings and reviews

Good book. MacArthur is a great Pastor and teaches sound doctrine. I own his Study Bible and several of his books. I agree with him on many points except for healing and spiritual gifts. Many pastors claim that divine health is part of the prosperity gospel. If you think that it's God's will for you to be sick that means Jesus sinned when he healed people and we all know that he never sinned. Jesus healed those who were oppressed by the enemy. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. Also, the Bible states that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. As for the wealth part I think he's correct since God is against greed. God will meet your need not your greed. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that the spirit became inactive or changed how it operates. He uses Benny Hinn and what he has seen to make his point instead of the word.

Dr. MacArthur has truly opened my eyes. I've real peace thru the wisdom & discernment of teachings.Changed my life! It's dangerous to entrust our ETERNAL LIFE to someone.They must be above reproach! A cpl times churchpeople have tried to get me to "fake tongues!" The 1 thing that kept me far away from the all churchs, were the hypocritical liars. So I could NEVER fake it!(+I just love his dry sense of humor😁) Thankfully, he's not "Ashamed of the Gospel"& will fearlessly contend for it! Amen!

I grew up pentecostal... always felt uncomfortable about some of it's practices... this book helped me realize why, and opened my eyes to the truth..John MacArthur is a rare man of God worth listening to. Better yet, read the Bible and ask for discernment...these people misread it far too often.

About the author

Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker. He has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren. John's pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in seven countries. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly two thousand English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, and digital recordings by John MacArthur. John is chancellor of The Master's University and Seminary and has written hundreds of books and study guides, each one biblical and practical. Bestselling titles include The Gospel According to Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, Slave, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.