Let No One Deceive You

I can't believe there are still skeptics out there after the release of this book. When was the last time devilisih formalism in the Church converted anybody to Jesus? Anyone who thinks Dr. Michael Brown is wrong has a form of godliness, but spits on its power.

Let me just start off by saying that I am not a charismatic, but I was intersted to get both sides to the "revival movements". Particularly in Brownsville, which Dr. Brown was part of at the time this was written. Along with this book I purchased Counterfeit Revival by Hank Hanegraaff. I certainly found Dr. Brown's book the far better of the two when it came to putting the revival in perspective and drawing comparisions from other revivals and from scripture. It was also far more enjoyable reading. The author has a way of using humor and down to earth explanations to get his point across. I believe he did a far better job in defending his positon than Hanegraaff did with his book. I found Counterfeit Revival, by contrast, to be a bit of a disappointment. Unlike Dr. Brown, all Hanegraaff did was point to the extreme people in the movement and try to discredit the revival based on the actions of a few. The only criticism that I had with Dr. Brown's book is that I wish he would have spent more time being critical of people like Benny Hinn and others who are clearly giving the movement a bad name. (Dr. Brown does however do this in his book: From Holy Laughter to Holy Fire.) But otherwise I give the book a thumbs up.

Dr. Michael L. Brown has written a highly effective, logical, and scriptural volume that defends God's work among His people today. Using the wise techniques of the Berean in Acts 17, Dr. Brown provides sound scriptural evidence by which any supposed revival movement is to be judged. He accurately shows that there is absolutely no scriptural basis for making negative judgments on revival phenomena such as physical manifestations. He shows that the true Berean will use the Scriptural rules the Lord has deemed appropriate, namely the "fruit" test. But Brown also goes the extra mile by appealling to church history, showing that men such as John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, etc. had to endure the exact same types of criticism and slander when God began to move in their meetings. He also shows that physical phenomena such as falling to the ground, shaking, laughing, etc. are far from being unique to current revival movements. He accurately shows that they were very prevalent in the meetings of Wesley, Whitefield, Edwards, etc. and that these men judged by the Word (i.e. by the fruit in the lives of the individuals so affected) and not by any rule of physical phenomena that is not in the Scriptures. Dr. Brown also includes an appendix which is a review of Hank Hannegraaf's 'Counterfeit Revival' and accurately exposes Hank's poor scholarship, misrepresentations, and downright deception. But above all of this, Brown's passionate heart for the critics who are in error is clearly evidenced throughout the book, even though he must often use stern rebukes against their tactics. Kudos to Dr. Brown for an accurate and effective volume.

Michael Brown provides an intellectual, and biblical response to the many critics of revival today. His humble writing, asks many thought provoking questions on the authority to criticize, and validates the revival movement at the Brownsville Assembly of God, through Scripture. It's a very powerful book, and is great for anyone who has read the lies of Hank Hannagraph, and any other hyper-critical faction, that questions revival today. Two thumbs-up to Brown and his colleagues. The best thing you can do though, is visit Brownsville Assembly of God, and see for yourself. Know first-hand, not second, or third hand. Seek truth in all that you do.

Michael Brown uses good research techniques to give thought provoking ideas about controversial issues confronting Christianity today. A good read for anyone who has been influenced by the fear tactics of Hanegraaf and others.