“Strange Fire” Can the Church Be both Charismatic and Evangelical?
At the suggestion of a publisher, Allan condensed his earlier book, Filled with the Spirit of God vs. Illumined by the Word of God, into a smaller version. That result, with some additions, became his latest work, “Strange Fire” Can the Church Be both Charismatic and Evangelical?
Allan would like to see a balance of emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit and thoroughness in teaching the church the Bible, a “patient, workmanlike exposition of Scripture before the congregation.” (p. 144 “Strange Fire”) After all, the Antioch church had prophets who got direct inspiration from the Holy Spirit and teachers who had skilled their craft through knowledge of their subject matter. (Acts 13:1) Some of the unbalance Allan cites led to a recent conference in conservative circles against abuse of spiritual gifts, a conference known as “Strange Fire.”
A lack of good teaching has cost the Charismatic and Pentecostal circles dearly in a “brain drain.” Keen intellects look elsewhere. For example, Adam Hamilton writes in Revival, Faith as Wesley Lived It that he became a Christian in a Pentecostal church but was attracted to the United Methodist Church because it encouraged him to think and he didn’t have to “check my brain at the door.” (p. 46-47) The author of The Message Bible, Eugene Peterson, left a Pentecostal heritage. Unfortunately there are many other examples.
This departure need not be, argues Allan, and he offers some advice for rethinking Spirit-led practices. His books are available on Amazon and Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Allan+Gravely.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT “STRANGE FIRE:”
There is a desperate need in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement to rethink how and why we do what we do. Allan Gravely has given us a tool to begin thinking through some of the vexing issues surrounding the practice of Pentecost. At the same time, he gives a solid defense for how the movement still has much to contribute to the body of Christ. I hope that leaders interested in a ministry of the Word and the Spirit will grapple with the ideas contained herein and that doing so will help us all to live out what it truly means to be Spirit-baptized.
—Ryan Jackson, PhD (Cambridge); Lead Pastor, The Capital Church, Garner, NC
Allan Gravely presents a most thorough analysis of what it means for the Spirit to manifest itself in the life of a believer. This is an exciting journey for the curious Christian, for the book seeks not to argue the Pentecostal/Charismatic viewpoint or its opposite. Instead, in the spirit of Heb. 4:12, "it penetrates even to dividing" the nuances of these perspectives, helping the reader to "judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." The end of the journey is a well-reasoned synthesis that hews to unity, not division.
—Max Heine, Editorial Director, Overdrive Magazine
ALLAN’S NEXT BOOK PROJECT -
Allan’s most recent project is the publication of his Master’s thesis about the English Seekers. What were they seeking? Apostles. The founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, joined in the search. The book should be at the above site in the near future.
Roger Williams and the Search for New Apostles amidst the “Ruins” of the Reformation Churches: The Continental and English Seekers, 1530 to 1660
by Allan Gravely
Dirk Coornhert Roger Williams
1522–1590 1603–1683
That’s the man who chose me for his No. 1 editor over 40 years ago!!!