Is it because you have been convicted of your ways?
hahaha...you don't know me. Actually I don't speak in tongues or pray in a private language.
However, I do believe God still uses miraculous gifts in the advancement of His Gospel throughout the world. Why? Because I've seen them used. I've seen a woman start speaking in a foreign language unknown to her that minister to a man across the room that nobody knew. I've seen a young man with an open, bleeding ulcer on his leg get prayed for and by the time the prayer ended the wound was cleaned, healed, and gone. I've seen and participated in exorcisms where demons have been identified and cast out in Christ's name. I've seen the miraculous gifts that MacArthur mocks used in the advance of the Kingdom of God.
I stand against the unbiblical use of miraculous gifts and have engaged in open debate with proponents of the prosperity gospel who steal from the poor. When there is time to teach on the giftings that are evident in the NT, I do so from a biblical theology.
My theology has no need of conviction nor does my ministry. It is shameful language to suggest it does.
But if you want to have a grand and open debate about the reality of the continuation of the miraculous gifts in the advance of the Kingdom of God than let us do that here and now. Show me how the miraculous gifts have ended and I'll show you how they are perpetuated in the world.
Put your theology of condemnation against my theology of cautious continuation and let's see who stands on better footing.
I've listened to Dr MacArthur for years and read many of his books. His ministry with worth respecting and I've been edified by his ministry. His books are usually quite good. This one is trash. It condemns well meaning and well grounded people in order to attempt to offer a corrective that should be handled differently. His entire approach is unChrist-like. He stands in a place of open judgment and offers thin arguments against the primary way the Gospel is being perpetuated in many communities throughout the world. Certainly there are abuses in the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. They should be corrected. But blanket condemnation of good men and women of God is not the calling of a minister.
So bring your arguments here and now and put them against mine. Refute my theology and experiences of seeing the miraculous happen in the midst of God's people and for the advancement of His kingdom.
Bring your arguments and let us weigh this invective against Christians brothers and sisters.
