Evaluating
“Strange Fire”
Repenting
of Denominational Prejudice, Addressing False Doctrine
Ryan Marks
I agree that barking like dogs, divine laughing, or other occurrences
supposedly “charismatic” and evidenced by the “Toronto Blessing” are nowhere in
Scripture and sound demonic. Satan does perform miracles to deceive. However, I
am concerned by the extreme position John Macarthur takes on all those who
believe in the “Gifts” or “speaking in tongues.”
To start, nowhere in Scripture do we find a clear statement that says
the Gifts have ceased or will cease before Heaven. There is record of Christian
leaders since the time of the Apostles (Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, John
Calvin and others) saying that the gifts have ceased, but again will we
believe the Scripture alone or accept the teaching of men? The much quoted
1 Corinthians 13 passage by Cessationists says that tongues will fail when prophecies
cease and knowledge passes away. Applying the proper hermeneutics of Bible
interpretation looks at the context and clearly raises the opposition—have all
three of these passed away? No. Knowledge is still around. We live in the
information age and as Daniel prophesied, many run to and fro and knowledge is
increased (Daniel 12:4). And in regard to prophecy, even Cessationists (those
who believe the “Gifts” and “Tongues” have passed away) believe that prophecy
is still occurring as a spiritual Gift through preaching.
I grew up in a “Pentecostal church” and was homeschooled largely using
“Baptist” textbooks. But I do not consider myself to be any label—“Freewill”
“Calvinist” “Pentecostal” etc… I am a
Christian and I endeavor to only
Believe what the Bible teaches. Now, yes I believe that we all have probably
been taught something wrong in church. No church is perfect, nor any spiritual
leader—if they were we would not need to like Paul “oppose Peter to His face”
at times. I enjoy discussions on doctrine when the heart of those discussing is
really to understand what the Bible says. But when any church tradition is
dogmatically held to, I know the conversation is going nowhere. It is dangerous
to just be “Baptist,” “Catholic,” “Lutheran,” “Presbyterian,” or “Pentecostal”
in one’s beliefs without ever considering what God’s Word actually says.
However, it is very dangerous to
say that all charismatics/Pentecostals are demonically influenced.
The Bible nowhere gives evidence that the so called “Gifts” have passed away
and Paul warned us not to despise prophesying (1 Thess 5:20) but to test the
spirits and see whether they are of God (1 John 4:1). I love John Piper’s loving
but non-agreeing response to Strange Fire on his Ask Pastor John podcast, I
believe the episode aired late 2013; John Piper dealt with the issue from a
solely Biblical perspective.
Let me clarify that there are some false
teachings (and John Macarthur makes references to most if not all of these in
his book Strange Fire) among
Pentecostalism (but there also are among Catholicism and Lutheranism and every
ism); however, the issue should not be “all Pentecostals” but exposing the
false doctrine just as not “all Catholics” or “all Lutherans” are unbiblical. I
disagree with Mr. Macarthur as he strongly portrays that the entire group is
corrupt (I hope I am wrong about him taking that stance), but agree that there
are some major false doctrines circulating by primarily Pentecostal and Charismatic
groups that are unbiblical:
·
The false
doctrine of prosperity and comfort especially as a blessing for a “financial
seed sown into their ministry.” Yes, God
gifted Joshua, Job, and Abraham with success and some business sense, but that
doesn’t mean life is easy and lucrative for the Believer. …. “supposing that gain is
godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” 1 Tim 6:5 (KJV)
·
False
doctrine that you must speak in tongues to be saved …. “Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31
(KJV)
·
Unbiblical
“revelations”—that contradict the Bible and supposedly need to be proclaimed as
God’s truth in today’s world…. “Beloved,
when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3 (KJV)
·
False
doctrine of the Word of Faith Movement—your words have the same creative
power as God’s words-that’s blasphemy! …. “Do
ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself
that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 8 For
though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given
us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 9 That
I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such an one think
this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are
present. 12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or
compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring
themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not
wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the
measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even
unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not
unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of
things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but
having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you
according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's
line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let
him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is
approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” 2 Corinthians 10:7-18 (KJV)
·
Healing
Crusades—teaching people to “seek their miracle” rather than Seek
Jesus …. “Asa…was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great:
yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.” 2 Chronicles
16:12 (KJV)
·
False
doctrines of confession—speaking into existence the “blessing you want”--this
is nowhere in Scripture. However, we should pray about anything and everything
to the Lord and cry out to Him. But …. “Ye
ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3
(KJV)
·
The false
doctrine of cheap grace—(this one is
not distinctly a Pentecostal error, but is appearing to gain a lot of ground at
least among Charismatic leaders today) it is turning Christ’s grace toward
us as an excuse for not trying to avoid sin or confess our wrongs and ask for
the forgiveness of others. Dietrich
Bonhoeffer battled this in his book The
Cost of Discipleship
·
Unhealthy-emphasis
on healing, trances, etc… God can heal and there are a few instances of
“trances” in Scripture—visions by Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Peter, John and
others. However, nowhere in Scripture are we told to seek these or to claim
them as “part of our inheritance.”
·
The Seeker
Friendly gospel (again not
distinctly Pentecostal, but appearing to gain ground amongst Pentecostal
leaders) seems to be growing…now I believe this is across the board in all
denominations, but I have seen a lot of it in bigger Pentecostal churches. The
Seeker-friendly Gospel tries to make the Gospel appealing to sinners and tones
down or even ceases to talk about sin and our need for Christ. …. “For
the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us
which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)
·
False
Doctrine of Name it Claim It—again nowhere in the Bible ….. “Ye
ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3
(KJV)
·
Turning
speaking in Tongues to another Gospel. Salvation is not what many “Pentecostal’s”
conversations are about, but experiences. This is dangerous. William Seymour
(early Pentecostal leader) got it right when he told Pentecostals, “Don’t go out of here talking about
tongues; talk about Jesus.” …. “I
marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that
trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an
angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now
again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,
let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9 (KJV)
I like the Baptist
Faith and Message’s position on the Pentecostal-Charismatic debate—neutral
on Spiritual gifts. In our discussions with other Believers, we should be
careful not to make the issue of the “Gifts” a point of division. If they
Believe in Jesus and KNOW Him then as Jesus said, whoever is not against us is
for us. This is not an issue of clear sin and disobedience to God like homosexuality.
The debate is about how God’s Holy Spirit interacts with Believers today based
on Scripture. There should be unity around Christ and the maturity to disagree
without be disagreeable.
We must keep the Gospel—repentance and receiving Jesus and KNOWING Him as
the focal point of our ministry to others.
I attend a small Southern Baptist Church now and am in a Southern
Baptist Seminary at the time of this writing. I do not call myself “Southern
Baptist” or any other denomination though because often the deformational card
just stirs up offense and prejudice and many unbelievers equate Baptist with
Westboro right now.
However, I am thankful to be a part of the Southern Baptist Fellowship.
I won’t talk about my “denomination” often, but I know that the Lord guided me
to be a part of the SBC as I sought Him for many months on the “denominational
accountability” issue in regard to the Pentecostal denomination I grew up in. I
also, am around many like-minded Believers and am thankful that Salvation is
the primary issue at the heart of so many in our SBC Fellowship and we keep
that as our main focus—Do you KNOW Jesus? Also, I am privileged to be a part of
the denomination that most major “revivalists” have come from: Billy Graham,
D.L. Moody, Vance Havner & etc…
God’s blessings has been poured out upon our fellowship in this respect.
I am concerned that many Pentecostals
place too much emphasis on experience and too little emphasis on learning the
Scripture, teaching sound doctrine, and discipleship. …They are very successful
in many respects of evangelism and zeal however and we all can learn from them.
I am equally concerned with liturgical
traditions such as Catholicism and Lutheranism that place so much emphasis on
repetition that the heart and life of Christ’s Spirit can be sucked out of the
local church. ….yet, liturgical traditions have continued to faithfully expound
many of Scriptures doctrines throughout the coming and going of changes in the
Church throughout the centuries and we can all learn from that.
What should
be our Non-negotiable issues?
1. Do you KNOW
Jesus?
I take
Jesus statement literally—many will cast out demons, heal the sick and raise
the dead, but yet they won’t know Him. This statement by our Lord picks my
heart primarily for Pentecostals, but I am also pricked for the “attendees” of
every church that have never surrendered to Jesus as Lord and just have
“accepted” Him as fire insurance. “Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And
then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23 (KJV)
2. What Sin is—anything
you think, say or do that breaks God’s heart (Child Evangelism Fellowship) and
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth
also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4 (KJV)
3. Who Jesus
is-- Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as
Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human
nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with
mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience,
and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the
redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body
and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His
crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of
God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is
effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and
glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now
dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord. Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16. (The Baptist Faith and Message)
4. Repentance—“repent
ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:15
(KJV)
5. That the
Word of God is the final authority and if you teach or Believe something that
isn’t in the Bible then you’re wrong. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the
scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy
came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 (KJV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped
for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
“Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you
be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:6 (ESV)
