To my fellow Pentecostals and Charismatics: please do not fall prey to John MacArthur Jr.s vitriolic and dishonest appraisal of the many flavors and colors our movement has produced over the years. Yes, it is true that we have minor disagreements over some of our extraneous doctrinal positions and/or practices that are neither critical or essential to The Faith. However, we have a solid undergirding theological foundation of common fundamental truths that are both historic and correct. This includes our pneumatology and phenomenology (belief in the Spirit and the present day application of the gifts). Being a native Californian, I can say that I am ashamed of John MacArthur Jr. Although this isnt a new position for him, nor is his disdain for Charismatics, especially people that he has expressed jealousy over concerning the success of their ministrys, like Jack Hayford, John Wimber and Chuck Smith, among many Charismatic Angeleans. MacArthurs church and influence pales in comparison, both in the greater Los Angeles area and throughout the world. To date, our expression of faith (Spirit led/Spirit filled) comprises roughly 1/3 of all professing believers and includes over 50% of all practicing Christians worldwide. MacArthurs sad, anemic expression of faith concentrates on a Citadel approach that has little affect on the world. His current claim to fame is exclusively composed of attacking other believers. Ignore him. Let him wither away into obscurity and embrace the rich diversity that Charismatics bring to the faith, which include our rabid joy in evangelism, our powerful and emotive worship expressions, our dynamic approach to the Words exposition, our expressive approach to the fallen theological practices such as the expression of glossolalia, the prophetic, dancing, etc. Yes we can make mistakes and get emotional while enjoying a childlike faith and freedom. Yes, we may need to distill some of our minor doctrinal points. Yet in our reformation inspired approach to the faith, we have ushered in a new era of expansion of Christian faith that is expansive, inclusive and very dynamic. In the final analysis, we are right. #strangefire #johnmacarthurjrstrangefire
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:34:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015