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

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

Put bluntly, charismatic theology has made no contribution to true biblical theology or interpretation; rather, it represents a deviant mutation of the truth.

Why does the modern version of speaking in tongues parallel pagan worship practices? How can a God of order be honored by confusion and disarray? Does the Holy Spirit really cause people to fall down like bowling pins? Why has the Charismatic Movement turned Him into something He is not? And, most important, what happens to people when they realize He’s not the one behind the hysteria?

At the Transfiguration, Peter witnessed an unparalleled supernatural spectacle. He had a genuine divine, heavenly experience. Even so, the apostle knew that Scripture (“the prophetic word”) is “more sure” than even the most sublime experiences. Peter’s point is precisely the issue that many charismatics fail to understand. Human experience is subjective and fallible; only the Word of God is unfailing and inerrant, because its Author is perfect.

“It would be impossible to estimate the irreparable harm caused by thinking that spiritual gifts are given for self-edification and may be used to edify ourselves. This is certainly unbiblical. Gifts are given not for self-edification but for the edification of others.”71

While the Lord still answers prayer and works in providential ways to heal people according to His will, there is no evidence that miraculous healings are occurring today as they did during the apostolic age.