Charismatic Chaos

Charismatic Chaos

Product Description

Recognizing the importance of the charismatic movement and the need for a biblical evaluation of it, MacArthur analyzes the doctrinal differences between charismatics and non-charismatics in the light of Scripture.
Rate Points :3.5
Binding :Mass Market Paperback
Label :Zondervan
Manufacturer :Zondervan
ProductGroup :Book
Studio :Zondervan
Publisher :Zondervan
UPC :025986575724
EAN :9780310575726
Price :$5.99USD
Lowest Price :$2.50USD
Customer Reviewsvery informing
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :1
I think it gives great insight of what is going on today in so much confusion and relativism in Christianity,Christians need to take this issue seriously and discern what is biblical or not and this book is a great tool to start getting the information of todays Christianity especially the one on t.v

Book Review - Charismatic Chaos
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :1
Before I begin a review of Charismatic Chaos it is only fair to point out that I have really come to appreciate John MacArthur Jr. I cannot think of many contemporary authors whose beliefs and theology line up so closely with my own. So having been challenged to discern what the Bible says about speaking in tongues, signs and wonders and other marks of the charismatic movement, it only made sense that I would read Charismatic Chaos. Though written over twenty years ago, this book is as relevant to the Christian world today as it was then. The edition I read is the second edition, which was updated and published in 1992.

In recent years the Charismatic movement has completely infiltrated the church. Aspects of the movement are visible in almost every denomination. And as the movement grows in strength and acceptance it becomes more and more bizarre. It is not unusual to hear about flat tires being healed, fillings in teeth being turned to gold and other baffling (and unproven) phenomena. Almost any time of day or night there is a channel showing a faith healer healing with a touch or knocking people to the ground. Left unchecked, the movement will continue to grow and spread, becoming ever more strange.

The main issues MacArthur focuses on are modern day prophecies, ongoing revelation, Biblical interpretation, miracles, healings, tongues, and the "health and wealth" gospel. Ultimately, his arguments against these are based on a few points of doctrine.

First and foundationally, MacArthur teaches that experience cannot be accepted as a valid test of truth. Experience is only valid if it conforms to Gods word. This is hardly groundbreaking theology, yet is theology that has been forsaken by many Christian churches. Experiences can never be held as co-equal in importance to the Bible. Where there is a conflict the Bible must always prevail.

Second, he teaches that Gods inspired revelation ended with the closing of Scripture. Though God still reveals Himself, He no longer does so in an inspired way. Therefore, no other revelation can be held equal to the Bible. This puts all other revelation in subjection to Biblical principles.

Third, he teaches that the signs and wonders done by the apostles ended with the end of the apostolic era. These were signs given by God to achieve a specific purpose. They were given to prove that the apostles were Gods messengers on earth and that they were trustworthy sources of teaching. MacArthur shows how even through the Bible we see the signs disappearing so that even before the close of Scripture with the writing of the book of Revelation, these signs and miracles had ceased. This does not mean that God can no longer perform miraculous deeds. It does mean, though, that God no longer uses men to initiate these miracles as he did in Biblical times. Speaking in tongues also falls into the category of gifts that were given by God for a short time and a specific purpose.

MacArthur deals lovingly yet necessarily harshly with the Charismatic movement. He pulls no punches in rooting out the teachings that he considers dangerous. He does this all from a very simple, Biblical viewpoint. He does not waver in his view that the Charismatic teachings go directly against the pure simplicity of the gospel.

A fantastic Biblical examination of the Charismatic movement, this book comes with my emphatic recommendation.

Good Read
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :2
This is a good read. Has a good common sense approach seen in the book. It is a rather lengthy book for the topic, atleast for me, but all the better because of it. Great job on addressing the prophesying and tongues issues (it is a sad state that some Christian brothers and sisters are in). I have had my experiences with the results of Pentecostal/Charismatic movements and was a long and painful experience for me to try my best to lovingly rebuke their false beliefs in Gifts, which have ceased and were never to be used in the manner in which they are used today (run-on sentence prob- Sorry). Plain reason, and indepth contextual readings of scripture (As well with a Koine Greek knownledge) seems to prevail against these false (and maybe even demonic) experiences. Many people of these movements will get uptight and upset about it but it is important to remember 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Good Biblical Examination of the Charismatic Movement
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :1
This book is a thorough evaluation and examination of the Charismatic movement. As usual MacArthur backs up what he says with Scripture.

This book could easily be used as a textbook for a class, but it is also very readable for the person interested in learning more about the Charismatic movement on their own.

Each chapter is segmented into questions that MacArthur answers. For example, the question for chapter 1 is "Is experience a valid test?" While answering that question, MacArthur introduces other questions related to that main question of each chapter. A sub-question for chapter 1 is "Was Peter a Charismatic?".

I found the presentation and layout of the material excellent and thoroughly examined.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you are interested in a Biblical evaluation of the Charismatic movement.

Tackling False Spirituality
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :2
I have attended a Charismatic Church for the past year. However, I was saved before I attended the Church. The realities of sin became very obvious to me. Moreover, the realities of suffering from sin slowly but surely became very apparent to me from the environment that I am exposed to.
The One who delivered me from these burdens was Jesus Christ. Knowing this and attending this Charismatic Church where they preach supernatural things in order for you to be a good and developed Christian did not at all settle well in my heart. I wanted Christ! not "spirituality(I say this loosely in this case)". There was a fallacy in that practice and John MacArthur does an extraordinary job in pointing out these fallacies in great detail and with great resolve. I now attend a Church called Faith Bible Church in Sharpsburg, GA. Its Shepherded by John Crotts who graduated from MacArthurs Masters Seminary. They strictly teach the Word and the Witness in that Church is amazing. Everybody is so humble, self-controlled, and best of all genuinely loving. None of this fake spiritual love stuff.
"Apart from the Bible, were like a ship without direction in the ocean."
Now, of course somebody could say, "I believe God is telling me to sail WEST!!"
Biblically, I say we read and study the map and have the Holy Spirit direct us like a compass according to the map.

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