Fundamental
Evangelistic Association
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©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
Strange Fire on the Altar
by MH Reynolds, Jr.
Reprinted from News and Views, July-Aug 1977
©FOUNDATION Magazine, July-Aug 1996
[We began publication of Foundation magazine in
January, 1980. For over 35 years prior to that time, we had been printing a much smaller,
four-page publication called FEA News & Views which has now been incorporated into
Foundation as a special section. We are reprinting in its entirety the following article
which we originally wrote and printed in the July-August 1977 issue (nearly 20 years ago).
This reprint obviously contains dated material and the information concerning some of
those listed and their respective organizations has changed during the intervening years.
Some have died; others have discontinued their ministries; several have discredited
themselves by immorality and/or financial dishonesty or by making prophecies which were
never fulfilled. Nevertheless, the continuing upsurge of the Charismatic Movement during
these past three decades has only served to heighten our concern over its serious
doctrinal errors and the manner in which millions of believers have been and continue to
be deceived by its unscriptural claims and activities. In a separate article in this
July-August 1996 issue of Foundation, additional information concerning today's most
influential charismatic leaders will be included, and, God willing, future issues of
Foundation will provide documentation concerning this dangerous movement and its leaders]
THE SUBJECT OF this article, Strange Fire on the
Altar, is suggested by the events recorded in Leviticus 10:1-3. There we find
that two of Aaron' s sons, Nadab and Abihu, were judged by the Lord, not because they were
unqualified to stand and minister at the altar of God, but because they "offered
strange fire before .the Lord which He commanded them not." God specifically warned
against offering "strange incense" on the altar and had given the precise kind
and quantity of the ingredients to use in compounding this incense. Read Exodus 30,
especially noting verse nine and verses 22-38. Nadab and Abihu, as sons of Aaron, were
scripturally qualified to come to the altar but strictly forbidden to use their own
judgment concerning the kind of incense to be offered. It was not an example of an
unqualified person approaching the altar as often happened later. It was an example of a
qualified person making a forbidden offering on the altar.
A moment's reflection will help us to see the modern day parallel in connection with
the Charismatic Movement. For the most part, charismatic leaders do not openly deny the
deity of Christ, the efficacy of His blood, His bodily resurrection or His personal
return. They are not like so many of the ecumenical leaders who repudiate the very
foundations of the Christian faith. But these charismatic leaders are offering strange
fire because much of their teaching involves open defiance of and disobedience to
the Word of God.
A current example of this strange fire is seen in an article by Ralph
Wilkerson in the August-September, 1977, issue of Melodyland magazine. This magazine is
published by Melodyland Ministries, one of the leading charismatic centers on the West
Coast. The article is entitled, "Becoming One That The World Might Be Won" and
uses John 17:21 as the key text. Telling of his recent trip to Latin America, Wilkerson
gives the heart of his message - strange fire - in his own words: 'The
morning before we left to come home, du Plessis spoke to us from John 17:21. Later in the
meeting, a Roman Catholic priest from Guatemala City spoke in an unknown tongue, and the
interpretation was given by an American pilot...The interpretation was that Catholics and
Protestants will march together around Latin America, demonstrating unity, and once they
do this, the world will believe." Have you ever heard of fire as strange
as this?
Wilkerson explained that during his flight back to Los Angeles, "God continued to
reveal what He wanted and how He was going to accomplish it." He stated, ' 'There
will be approximately 1,000 teams, with each team made up of a Catholic and a Protestant
from Latin America." Wilkerson spoke of "million- dollar publicity
campaigns" to be mounted in key cities and stated that "the crusades will be
followed by various healing and other Holy Spirit ministries..."
This strange fire continued to pour from Wilkerson's lips. He said,
"Unity is already bringing the Catholics and Protestants together in Latin America,
but it hasn' t been demonstrated. Latin America is only the beginning. Remember the
message is that we all might become one so the world might be won." Wilkerson said,
"My job is to get people together, not to evangelize Latin America. I believe if we
get people together, God will reach Latin America. This is bigger than any one church.
It's bigger than any one television station or network. It's going to take the whole body
of Christ. What greater objective and goal could we have than unity for reaching the world
for Christ?"
According to that article, other Charismatic leaders have enthusiastically endorsed
this program of strange fire. These leaders include Jim Bakker of the PTL
Club; Demos Shakarian, president of the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship
International; Paul Finkenbinder (Hennano Pablo); and Pat Robertson of the 700 Club.
Wilkerson says, "I feel the day is coming when every major Charismatic body, be it
Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, or Baptist, will pick up the challenge."
In fact, Wilkerson says that this program (which he professes to have received from God
even though it directly contradicts the Word of God) "will be made up of the varied
ministries that God has set in the Body of Christ" and that, "it will
take place within one year."
We often hear from former Roman Catholics who find it hard to believe that anyone could
truly be born again and remain in the Roman Catholic Church or claim that their "Holy
Spirit experience" has made them love the iniquitous doctrines of Romanism more than
ever. True believers in Jesus Christ who are being taught in the Word of God will separate
from the Roman Catholic Church, as well as from apostate Protestant churches. There can be
no true, scriptural unity between those who believe and obey the Bible and those who claim
to be Christian but who throw away the Bible, substituting the strange fire
of the Charismatic experience in its place. God never told anyone to join hands
with those who preach "another gospel." In fact, He clearly forbids it!
Galatians 1:6-9. Romanism has always preached a false gospel and continues to do so. True
unity could come only if Roman Catholicism repudiates its false teachings -- including the
mass, confession, purgatory, salvation by works and baptism, and the exaltation of the
Pope and the Church above the Bible. The unity that Ralph Wilkerson advocates -- a
charismatic unity -- is in truth strange fire on the altar!
Many of the Charismatic leaders are using radio and television to raise millions of
dollars for their projects -- often at the expense of Bible-believing, Christ honoring
churches and missionaries. They have been quick to use "Hollywood" and
"Madison Avenue" techniques while professing to be dependent upon the Spirit.
This present listing is not exhaustive by any means but will, we believe, give some
practical help to discerning believers and provide the basis for an expanded listing later
if such a list seems advisable. The names of individuals and their affiliations (where
known) appear in bold for easier reference.
Jim Bakker - President and founder of the PTL Club,
Charlotte, North Carolina. Promotes the Charismatic Movement through an expanding
television ministry. Has both charismatics and noncharismatics on his programs - but he is
definitely of the Charismatic Movement.
Johnny Barton - An evangelist whose fund-raising endeavors promise
contributors peace, health and prosperity.
Don Basham - Editor of New Wine magazine which is
published by Christian Growth Ministries of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida,
seeks to build bridges both inside and outside charismatic circles.
Dennis Bennett - One of the oldest and most active promoters of the
Charismatic Movement among Episcopalians and one of the acknowledged
leaders in the whole Charismatic Movement.
John Bertolucci - A member of the National Advisory Committee
for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, is a major promoter of the Charismatic
Movement within the Roman Catholic Church.
Harold Bredesen - Chairman of the Blessed Trinity Society,
a Dutch Reformed pastor from Mt. Vernon, New York, and one of the veterans of the
Charismatic Movement.
Larry Christenson - An American Lutheran pastor and promoter of the
movement among Lutherans. Author of Speaking in Tongues and a frequent speaker at
charismatic gatherings.
Morris Ceruilo - President of World Evangelism, Inc.,
of San Diego, California. Conducts evangelistic crusades; frequent speaker at charismatic
conferences and publisher of Deeper Life.
Charismatic Renewal Services publisher of books and literature under
the name of Word of Life, Ann Arbor, Michigan (not to be
confused with Jack Wyrtzen's Word of Life ministries).
Paul Crouch - President of TBN (Trinity
Broadcasting Network), Anaheim, California, who, with his wife Jan, is becoming
prominent in charismatic circles through his television exposure.
David J. du Plessis - Often called Mr. Pentecostal,
is known for his efforts to bring about a marriage between the ecumenical and charismatic
movements.
Michael Harper - Anglican clergyman, author and director of The
Fountain Trust of England. His wordwide ministry promotes the charismatics.
Rex Humbard - pastor of the Cathedral of Tomorrow,
Akron, Ohio, has one of the largest regular television ministries in the world but seldom
reveals on the program his commitment to the Charismatic Movement. He does, however,
clearly spell out his charismatic position in the various conferences he attends.
Vicki Jamison - faith healer who may replace Kathryn Kuhlman in the
field of women charismatic leaders.
Fred Ladenius - A Roman Catholic promoter of the Charismatic Movement
who thinks and says that the Holy Spirit is writing the 29th Chapter of Acts in the
activities of the Charismatic Movement.
Gordon Lindsay - President of Christ for the Nation,
Dallas, Texas. Publishes a magazine by the same name; distributes charismatic books and
tapes and conducts Christ for the Nation Institute which is advertised as
"the fastest growing inter-denominational Charismatic Bible School in America."
Ralph Mahoney - President of World MAP (World Missionary
Assistance Plan), Burbank, California. Missionaries have told us that this group
is flooding foreign countries with unsolicited, free literature and cassette tapes
promoting charismatic teachings.
Dan Malachuk - President of Logos International Fellowship,
Plainfield, New Jersey. Promotes charismatic conferences and home study courses. Publishes
Logos Journal and the National Courier, the latter scheduled to discontinue publication
shortly because of falling circulation figures.
Walter Martin - On the faculty of Melodyland School of
Theology. His writings exposing false cults have helped many believers - this
makes his charismatic affiliations difficult to understand.
Bob Mumford - Founder of Life Changers, Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida. Tape and book ministry. Author and speaker in many charismatic
conferences.
Mario Murillo - Charismatic evangelist and leader of Christian
Fellowship, Resurrection City, California. Speaker in many charismatic
conferences.
T.L. Osborn - The Osborn Foundation publishes Faith
Digest and holds healing-miracle services around the world. Uses various gimmicks with the
peace prosperity theme to raise funds. Is usually aloof from the main charismatic leaders,
but promotes the same doctrines.
John Osteen - An ordained Southern Baptist whose main ministry now is
promoting the Charismatic Movement.
George Otis - Founder of High Adventure Ministries
and president of Bible Voice, Van Nuys, California. Conducts charismatic
meetings and produces films, television programs. Active in the Full Gospel Businessmen's
Fellowship.
Ken Pagard - Leader of the American Baptist Charismatic
Fellowship and a speaker at charismatic gatherings.
Joe Poppell - A faith-healer from Jessup, Georgia, who specializes in
miraculously lengthening limbs, filling teeth and restoring ear drums. Often speaks and
performs at charismatic gatherings.
Kevin Ranaghan - Chairman of the 1977 Conference on
Charismatic Renewal held in Kansas City in July 1977. Active in the National
Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. One of the prominent
leaders in the Catholic-Charismatic Movement.
Oral Roberts - Founder of Oral Roberts University,
Tulsa, Oklahoma. Roberts was originally a member of a small Pentecostal body. He later
joined the apostate Methodist Church and has become widely known through his worldly
television productions which rarely reveal his full commitment to the Charismatic
Movement.
Pat Robertson - Founder and president of the Christian
Broadcasting Network, and host of the 700 Club. He is fully
committed to the doctrines of the Charismatic Movement but features many non-charismatics
in his programming, thus deceiving the unwary.
Demos Shakarian - President of the Full Gospel Businessmen's
Fellowship International of Anaheim, California. One of the world' s major
promoters of the charismatic "tongues-speaking." Sponsors numerous charismatic
meetings locally, nationally and internationally.
Richard Shakarian - Son of Demos and president of Youth
Crusades of America, which is promoting the charismatic teachings among young
people.
Russell Spittier - Assistant Dean of Fuller Theological
Seminary, is also vice-chairman of Melodyland School of Theology
and a confirmed charismatic. It is said that about one third of the Fuller Seminary
student body is charismatic, raising a question as to where this school may be headed in
the future.
Eusebius A. Stephanou - Head of the Logos Foundation for
Orthodox Awakening in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, is one of the major charismatic leaders
in Eastern Orthodoxy.
Don Stewart - President of Don Stewart Evangelistic
Association of Phoenix, Arizona. Stewart took over A. A. Allen's ministry in 1970
following Allen's death from "acute alcoholism" while he was awaiting surgery
for an arthritic knee. Stewart continues Allen' s emphasis on "healing" and
promotes his program through rallies, radio broadcasts and a magazine, Miracle.
Leo Joseph Seunens - A Roman Catholic Primate of Belgium and an
international leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Suenens may be
remembered for his leading 25,000 Roman Catholic Charismatics in a pledge of loyalty to
Pope Paul during the Charismatic Conference held at Notre Dame in June, 1973. The Pledge
to the Pope stated: "You are the Vicar on earth of Jesus Christ. You are the
successor of Peter. On this rock Jesus built his church. We are founded on this rock and
on this rock we stand." Suenens later told the same audience that the best way to
receive the Holy Spirit was through their "unity with Mary, the Mother of God".
How such spiritual blindness can be accepted or tolerated by true believers is impossible
to understand. This is not the Holy Spirit at work-it is a false spirit!
David Wilkerson - Founder of Teen Challenge and
author of The Cross and the Switchblade, is one of the few charismatic leaders who has
recently raised questions about the worldliness and unscriptural positions of some
charismatics. He has not broken with the movement.
Ralph Wilkerson - Founder of Melodyland Christian Center and
Ministries, Anaheim, California. Melodyland is one of the two major promotional
centers of the Charismatic Movement on the West Coast (the other one being FGBMH). It has
featured most of the big names in the Charismatic Movement. Sadly, some well-known leaders
who disclaim being charismatics have spoken there also, including Hal Lindsay, Dr. Bill
Bright of Campus Crusade, Dr. Harold Ockenga and Dr. J. Sidlow Baxter.
J. Rodman Williams - President of Melodyland School of
Theology, Anaheim, California. Williams, a charismatic Presbyterian, is one of
the top men in the current dialogue going on between Roman Catholics and charismatics.
It is impossible to identify all of the charismatic leaders and promoters, some of
which may be unfamiliar to us but well known in other parts of the USA. However,
additional names that might be added to the listing above include: Corrie Ten
Boom, Brother Andrew (Bible Smuggler), Michael Esses, Larry Tomczak, and Derek Prince.
Also, such singers and entertainers as: Pat Boone, Andre Crouch, Big John Hall,
Chico and Sally Holiday, Rich Cook, Ailene Bledsoe, Lillie Knaules, Don Thomas and Richard
and Patti Roberts.
Some people move in and out of the Charismatic Movement so often that is it difficult
to know just where they do stand! The result of all this is confusion on the part of true
believers as could be expected! If there is not a clear-cut line drawn between truth and
error, between the one true gospel and false gospels, if every man speaks "a vision
out of his own heart" and will not submit to the authority of the written Word of God
what else can be expected but confusion!
George Cornell, Associated Press Religion Editor, reported the Roman Catholic
Charismatic gathering at Notre Dame in 1973 and wrote: "The cocktail lounge of an inn
was crowded in the evening with Catholic Pentecostals, sipping beer and whiskey, talking
animatedly about the presence of God among them, and occasionally joining in song." Is
this the Spirit of God?
Dr. Eusebius Stephanou, leader of the Charismatic Movement in Orthodox Churches said,
"The Orthodox Church has always taught that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a
second blessing following water baptism, in deed necessary for salvation.'' Is
this the Spirit of God?
Edward O'Conner, a Roman Catholic priest, wrote in his book, Pentecost in the Catholic
Church, "Similarly, the traditional devotions of the Church have taken on more
meaning. Some people have been brought back to a frequent use of the sacrament of Penance
through the experience of the baptism of the Spirit. Others have discovered a place for
devotion to Mary in their lives, whereas previously, they had been indifferent or even
antipathetic toward her. One of the most striking effects of the Holy Spirit's action has
been to stir up devotion to the Real Presence in the Eucharist." Is this the
Spirit of God?
In 1975, 10,000 Catholic Charismatics gathered at the Vatican in Rome for the 9th
Annual Conference on Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. Dr. David J. du Piessis,
"Mr. Pentecostal," wrote a report of this gathering in the Logos Journal for
July-August, 1975. He said, "I am certain that Charismatic Renewal in the body of
Christ enjoyed a major surge forward during this historic time in Rome." He praised
Pope Paul's message as "truly a Pentecostal message," yet in reading the full
text of the Pope's message, the emphasis is upon "faithfulness to the authentic
doctrine of the faith ... the authenticity of which must be guaranteed by the
Hierarchy." It is clear to all who have eyes to see and ears to hear that the
hierarchy views the Charismatic Movement as a path to help Protestant pilgrims come back
to Rome! Dr. du Plessis was bubbling over with joy because Cardinal Suenens was permitted
to celebrate the Mass from the Papal Altar, assisted by twelve bishops and hundreds of
charismatic priests. Dr. du Plessis wrote, "Cardinal Suenens was as anointed as a man
could be and the service developed into a free, exciting celebration that was as
'Pentecostal' as any I have ever heard or seen in many years of ministry in all the
churches ." [Remember that this was a Roman Catholic Mass.]
"The prophecies came loud and clear over the loudspeakers straight from the Papal
Altar. During the distribution of the elements came one prophecy after another and more
singing in the Spirit. And one lady sang a solo in tongues."
We close this report by quoting the words of warning given by a Latin American
evangelist in 1972: "The Charismatic Movement has created a new challenge here. An
emphasis on 'experience' and on certain types of experiences could well be the basis for
universal syncretism. With no intelligent application of the Scripture, the 'fellowship in
the experience' can go beyond Protestant - Roman Catholic ecumenism, and can include
Buddhists, Hinduists, Animists, Spiritists and even followers of Timothy Leary." Beware
of the "strange fire" of the charismatics.
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