Pentecostal Fanaticism

False Prophets, False Apostles, Fake Healers, Unknown Tongues, Holy Laughter, Holy Rollers, Runners, Slain In The Spirit, Drunk In The Spirit

De: Henry Bechthold

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

As you read through this book, it will become clearly apparent why I have titled it, “Pentecostal Fanaticism”. False prophets and their false prophecies will be revealed. False apostles and fake healings will be exposed. The Pentecostal practice of being “slain in the spirit” will be examined and biblically refuted. The prosperity gospel, which is primarily proclaimed in Pentecostal and charismatic churches, will likewise be scripturally refuted, and some of the famous hucksters who preach it will be exposed. The Pentecostal practice of speaking in non-human languages in church will be proven to blatantly contradict Scripture. Other practices associated with Pentecostalism, such as holy laughter, holy rollers, runners, snake handlers, and being “drunk in the spirit” will also be discussed. True biblical worship, as revealed in the Bible, will be compared with the hyper emotional, frenzied mayhem occurring in modern Pentecostal worship services. You will be alarmed!

Even free, this book is not worth the time it costs to read.

First, the author has dubious hermeneutics at best, and proves himself wrong nearly immediately in his first chapter by showing us that Paul does pray in unknown tongues, just that it is not profitable in a group towards understanding, in which case the church should prophecy. He also then ignores obvious scriptures as he cherrypicks his arguments to make the Bible fit his own personal interpretation. Our example should be Paul, who used the same scriptures his detractors used in order to make the case for Christ and the church's doctrines.

A clear example of unknown tongues as evidence of receiving the Spirit is Acts 10:44-48 (AMP):
[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message [confirming God’s acceptance of Gentiles]. [45] All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. [46] For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and exalting and magnifying and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Can anyone refuse water for these people to be baptized, since they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” [48] And he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay there for a few days.

Second, Mr. Bechthold is simply trying to fear monger out of his sensational opinions by using phrases such as "You will be alarmed". He speaks as though he has absolute truth, yet logically can't lead the reader their out of his own absolutism. He has some actual good points that should be addressed, but his strawman arguments do not even reflect the actual beliefs of the large majority of Pentecostals, and the things he attempts to correct are handled far better by UPCI leadership in their own denomination.

Snake handling, blowing on people/pushing them down, and the prosperity gospel are NOT pillars of what Pentecostals believe, and he again takes his evidence from the fringes that Pentecostals core tenets also disagree with. It is like saying baptists are wrong in everything simply because the Westboro Baptist Church is named a "Baptist" church. But the baptists themselves also disagree with just about every hateful things that the Westboro church does - it is a terrible position rooted only in false comparison and strawman fallacies.

Third, the author gives no practical alternatives to living with God and experiencing His presence. He speaks like a stick, dry and lifeless. Simply complaining, but having no constructive action for his readers to apply to their lives. He just chooses to diminish the real experience people have had with Jesus in a Pentecostal Church by beating them with his imaginary argument using a poor and incompetent position that they do not even hold.

I would not recommend this book. Rather, read something by Dr. David Bernard if you want applicable and hermeneutically sound understanding of what Pentecostals do and don't believe. You could even read the UPCI's own correction of these errant "fringe Pentecostals", but certainly don't take Mr. Bechthold's opinion for any of it. He sees what we all see, but is less equipped than the rest of us to address it.

Finally, the audible AI robot voice performed better than I expected.