Strange Fire, Holy Fire

by Klassen, Michael J.

• ISBN13: 9780764205491
• ISBN10: 0764205498
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-01
• Publisher: Bethany House Pub

Summary

Both a critic and an apologist, Klassen provides an honest assessment of the charismatic movement and its distinctive beliefs and practices: speaking in tongues, spiritual power, authority, healing, personal prophecy, and much more.

Author Biography

Michael J. Klassen has written extensively in the charismatic and evangelical markets, including as a ghostwriter for Rick Godwin, Rod Parsley, Tommy Barnett, and others. He has also authored Prayers to Move Your Mountains and We Will Pray for Election Day and contributed to additional books and study Bibles. Michael has served as a pastor since 1987, and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of The Neighborhood Church in Littleton, Colorado. He's a graduate of Oral Roberts University and Fuller Theological Seminary. Michael and his wife, Kelley, and their three daughters live in Littleton, Colorado.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Critic and an Apologist	p. 11
So What Is a Charismatic? Defining Your Terms	p. 19
Everyone Repeat After Me: The Importance of Tongues	p. 27
Us vs. Them: Spiritual Pride and Our Perception of Non-Charismatics	p. 35
Christian History Begins With Agnes Ozman ... Or Does It? The Presence of the Gifts Since Pentecost	p. 44
We're Here to Pump ... You Up! Our Hunger for Hype and Thirst for Power	p. 54
Touch Not God's Anointed: The Prevalence of Excessive Authority	p. 63
Apostles and Prophets and Bishops ... Oh My! Something Old or Something New?	p. 72
A Prophecy for Me! A Biblical, Commonsense Look at Personal Prophecy	p. 79
If I Become a Christian, Do I Have to Look (and Act) Like Them? The Cult of Personality	p. 89
Why Don't We Just Outlaw Sin Altogether? Navigating Our Way Between Legalism and Grace	p. 99
We Don't Need No Education: Our Contempt for "Book" Knowledge and Pursuit of "Revelation" Knowledge	p. 113
If It's Strange, It Must Be of God: Wacky, Trendy Theology	p. 122
Give Me a Principle, Not a Personal God: An Assessment of the Word of Faith Movement	p. 132
I Think I'm Catching a Cold ... Oops, I Mean a Healing: The Secret to Positive Confession	p. 140
Is All Sickness From the Devil? Healing and God's Will	p. 152
You Know It Hurts So Good (No, Really!): The Role of Pain and Suffering in Our Charismatic Beliefs	p. 162
Blood, Sweat, and Tears ... Or Not: The Definition of True Faith	p. 172
More Than a Feeling: Is It Okay to Pursue a Spiritual Buzz?	p. 182
Can You Gimme a Quick Fix? The Length of Time God Uses to Change a Life	p. 191
My Kingdom Come, My Will Be Done: The Intersection of Our Desires and God's Plans	p. 200
What the Devil Is Going on Here? Spiritual Warfare-Our Part and God's Part	p. 209
Removing Your Label From Your Lapel: The Future of the Charismatic Movement	p. 223
Epilogue: Good Mourning, Holy Spirit: Moving Forward in Light of Your Charismatic Experience	p. 233
Notes	p. 238
About the Author	p. 240
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