NOT LAUGHING NOW … Rodney Howard-Browne, self-styled “Holy Ghost Bartender,” has taken notice of the Strange Fire conference sponsored by Grace to You (October 16-18, 2013).He seems unnerved by the prospect that twenty-first-century charismatic phenomena are going to be examined in light of Scripture. Strange Fire in the House of the Lord 9:29AM EST 2/11/2009 J. Lee Grady Current fads involving angels, ecstatic worship and necromancy could push us off the edge of spiritual sanity. Strange Fire, by Dr. John MacArthur (Thomas Nelson, 2013). Message 1, Strange Fire: Worship in the evangelical church has drastically changed in the past few decades causing no small controversy known as the so-called contemporary verses traditional worship debate. Once again, we would like to promote the Strange Fire Conference. Strange Fire, part of Grace to You’s Truth Matters conference series, evaluates the doctrines, claims, and practices of the modern charismatic movement, and affirms the … We use the word profane to refer to that which is less than holy, but the word profane comes from the Latin profanus, which literally means “outside the temple.” So, in a … MacArthur’s thesis is that the modern-day Charismatic and Pentecostal modes of worship, which focus on the employment of the charismatic gifts common to the apostolic church of the first century, constitutes worship foreign to what Scripture provides for the post-apostolic church—hence the title, “Strange Fire.”

Last week I began an interview with John MacArthur (read it here) in which I asked him questions about it all. That is quite an admission. I began hearing about John MacArthur's book Strange Fire a few months ago, and last week a conference by … We’re going to address in a biblical, straightforward manner what many today see as a peripheral issue. John MacArthur, influential author, pastor and seminary president, has kicked off the Strange Fire conference at his California church this week and reportedly stated during his opening remarks that the charismatic movement "dishonors God" and "offers nothing to enrich true worship." The world of social media was abuzz last week as John MacArthur hosted the Strange Fire Conference, a meeting designed to launch MacArthur’s new book written to equip Christians to evaluate the claims of the charismatic movement.. MacArthur has long held concerns about charismatic practices and the erroneous teachings of those in the Word of Faith movement. Should we design our worship service to be seeker-sensitive? Question: "What is the meaning of the strange fire in Leviticus 10:1?" As a result of those involved, we have been pleased to discover that many are still involved in Pentecostal, Charismatic, Anglican, Baptist, Salvation Army, Uniting, Presbyterian, Simple Church and non-denominational church groups. The most hurtful thing about that conference is not the broad generalizations, sweeping condemnations, or lack of distinctions. The first tabernacle had been erected, and Aaron was doing a lot of sacrificing per God’s instructions (Leviticus 8—9). Answer: In order to understand the phrase “strange fire,” we must review the story in Leviticus in which it appears. stranj ('esh zarah, "alien fire"): These words are mentioned in connection with the fatal sin committed by the two oldest sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, in "offering strange fire before Yahweh," on the occasion of the formal consecration of the Aaronitic priesthood (Leviticus 10:1,2).The fact is mentioned again in Numbers 3:4; 26:61. John MacArthur’s Strange Fire conference is now several weeks behind us; the Strange Fire book releases tomorrow.

Strange Fire is a conference that will set forth what the Bible really says about the Holy Spirit, and how that squares with the charismatic movement. Since starting, Hillsong & C3 Church Watch has grown in admins, authors and members. The Strange Fire conference has set off fireworks around the globe, and there appears to be no letting up (just Google Strange Fire).

The controversy concerning the Strange Fire Conference and the release of the book bearing the same name has been ubiquitous in the blogosphere in recent months.It has seemed as if everyone has had an opinion, concern, critique, or praise for Strange Fire.With that being said, I must confess that I never intended to enter the fray.