Charismatic Chaos

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

Book Overview

The charismatic movement of the past quarter-century has made an impact on the church unparalleled in history. But one legacy of the movement is confusion and mushy thinking. In Charismatic Chaos,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310575729
• Release Date: July 1993
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.9" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

please read and pray

I in no way want to be cruel or heartless, but I really hope people involved in these movements will please read this book (and the Bible too of course) and at least please consider what is being said. (No, I don't agree with everything in the book, but I do agree with the vast majority of it...because I think it agrees with the Bible in most all respects.) I know these are emotional topics which tap into our deepest core, but that is why we need to be so careful. As a Christian, it really pains me to see so many people being involved with activities which are so cult/occult like. Today's "miracles" are so obviously different from the Biblical account and done in such a charlatan fashion, it amazes me that people can actually be so blind, but the masses of people in the audience show just how attractive this movement is. Seek Truth. Seek discernment. Seek wisdom. Seek faith. Christians should never fear to ask for these things. In a true spirit of love I plead with you to at least just consider if these things may be misguided or of another spirit. Thank you.

Very "Sound" and a MUST for those who want the truth

MacArthur does a wonderful job presenting issues in this book. He has done his homework as far as bible study, research, and presenting issues from all angles. I personally thank him for presenting the facts as they are. I wish I had this book many years ago when my mother, pastor, and others tried to point me in the right direction. They all tried to warn me of these things years ago when I went into Pentecostalism. However, I believe my learning "first-hand" has made me the person I am now. MacArthur's book bears witness to what I was told and what I have seen over the years in the pentecostal/charismatic movement. In closing, the teaching in this book is doctrinally-sound and a MUST for all those who want the truth from the biblical perspective. If someone is offended by what he says, it only means they need to get on their knees and pray for understanding and get in the Word more as well as do extensive research. I used to memorize verses when reading the Bible; but that is NOT the same as studying. Study involves research using dictionaries, commentaries, history, culture, etc. Again, this is an outstanding book!

A Great Book for Openminded Charismatics

John MacArthur has written an enduring work, addressing very clearly the problems with the charismatic movement. Ultimately, Scripture has the only say on how God is working after the first century. John has very accurately shown that while God hasn't changed, His methods have (more than once), as is obvious from the reading the Bible. Because the charismatic movement puts much stock in personal experience as an interpreter (which denies the Reformation doctrine of Sola Scriptura [scripture alone], a foundational doctrine responsible for pulling the Church out of the Dark Ages), they very often miss the truths that are only available by comparing Scripture with Scripture. Also, they are left wide open for the influence of health & wealth philosophies, new age thinking, and the like. Charismatic Chaos is not a tool with which to blast charismatics, but a tool of protection for charismatics to come back to the scripture-alone doctrine so necessary to interpret their experiences and the Bible correctly. Until charismatics see the lack of appropriate Bible hermeneutics in their movement, as John has so clearly pointed out, they will remain a group which places experiences and thrills, signs and wonders, etc. alongside the authority of the Bible. I encourage charismatics to read this book openmindedly and with an open Bible alone as the interpreter of both John's book and their experiences.