When Nadab and Abihu offered “strange fire” to the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-3), when the Pharisees attributed the work of the Spirit to Satan (Matthew 1:22-37), and when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts of the Apostles 5:1-6), each of these actions constituted an offense that produced serious consequences, including death. The Bible is clear that offending the Holy Spirit is not a light matter. Nevertheless, thousands of people do it every day.
The charismatic movement, with over five hundred million members worldwide, is the fastest-growing religious movement globally. It boldly fills the name of the Holy Spirit with worship that does not go hand in hand with the Bible, such as barking, jumping, loud laughter, trance states, revelations without scriptural basis, incomprehensible forms of speech, erratic prophecies, and ineffective healings. For the disoriented multitudes, these are works of the Holy Spirit, but in reality, they are not God’s work at all.
Strange Fire offers a biblical message to correct what has been wrong, help believers distinguish true worship, and free those who have been led astray by false worship. Through deep exegesis, an outline of the historical context of the charismatic movement, and pastoral guidance, this book vindicates the true power and meaning of the Holy Spirit for evangelicals and reproves those within the charismatic movement who tempt God's wrath with strange fire.
