[Note: As a rule, Dr. Keener does not review books on this site (even his own). The site also does not usually address the sorts of issues addressed here. Nevertheless, Dr Keener is making a single exception in this case due to the very public nature of the challenge.]
While offering some very needed points, John MacArthur’s Strange Fire unfortunately extrapolates from those points to an entire “movement.” As I note below, I also believe that MacArthur suppresses some biblical truth on the basis of a postbiblical doctrine, the very offense with which he charges others.
Nevertheless, there is much to be learned from his criticisms; he has brought again to our attention some serious errors that charismatic churches must be on their guard against. I start with some agreeable points in the book and then move to points where I believe MacArthur has clearly overstepped the bounds of reason and Christian civility; there my tone cannot be as conciliatory. (All pagination in this review refers to the uncorrected page proofs that I received shortly before the book’s publication.)
Read the rest of the review at:
http://pneumareview.com/john-macarthurs-strange-fire-reviewed-by-craig-s-keener/