I have to clear the air. I have rejected the opportunity to involve myself in christian book study and for good reason. The christian books out there in the mainstream reading genre are downright heretical. One book that was offered to me a while back I actually threw in the trash, it wasn't worth returning as it was so full of error I would have felt guilty giving it back or sending to the bookstore for another sucker to purchase and waste their time on.
The older I get, the more I do not want to fight the error, I just want to learn the truth and revel in it, therefore, I just want to study the word of God. I do have a few books on my list to buy written by a christian man I do want to read but I have been vetting his ministry for the past 6 months and can now say he's proved he truly is biblically based and worth purchasing.
I have come to view christian books, to be clear, mainly modern ones, and their study as a trap or a distraction to spiritual growth. (This is my opinion, as some folks I love and know have read some of these books and felt they helped them, I do not want to step on your toes and I know you can take my opinions, so hugs to you!) I believe the only true spiritual growth comes from God's Word (Hebrews 4:11-13) and submitting fully to it.
Our flesh is easily gratified when it comes to error in christian book studies. Some of the books we read just give us that tingly feeling, or entertains us, or fulfills selfish impulses. My question for christian book study is what is your motive for reading the book? If you find error in it what do you do next? (Hebrews 3:13).
I have strongly been led to study only God's word for my spiritual health and growth, especially in this last year. This is how my study usually goes; prayer to God to help me understand his Word, read a passage, sometimes I am convicted, other times I am encouraged. I look up words within the passage that are underlined (Hebrew/Greek Study Bible) for a deeper meaning. Look up cross references for support and fuller understanding. Pray and then think about the meaning throughout the day or talk about the passage with my daughter or anyone who would listen to me (most of the time she is the only one who would listen to me-God bless her heart!). It is an all day event. (Somedays I am not as focused and other days I can't get over a passage because the understanding of it was made more clear. Now that is JOY in studying with the Holy Spirit as your teacher. There are times the scripture throws light onto a circumstance as I am experiencing it and I am strengthened. (2 Timothy 3:16).
In modern Christian book study I see a tainting, a counterfeit take precedence to spending time with our Lord. A slant towards feelings, emotions and world philosophies creep in and in my opinion take the place of the work of the Holy Spirit. How easy it is to be caught up in a book thinking we can supplement the Word of God. No human author can do what God can do for a soul. (Please do not get me wrong, there are times I have read an excerpt or book from GK Chesterton, Oswald Chambers, C.S. Lewis, and have been inspired or thankful for their nuggets of wisdom. God can use people's lives and writing to help a believer in their understanding or encouragement. I am cautious though to not give them too much authority, they are fallible; the Word, which God wrote, is not, it is the only reliable source and can be fully trusted with your life direction. )
Our God is a jealous God and anything that takes the worship, adoration and praise from Him is idolatry and sin. Humans (including myself) so easily go looking for answers outside the source in front of our noses through our fellow peers. He planned and wrote the Word as the ultimate act of love. His willingness to communicate to us in the way in which he accomplished this task is beautiful. We should treasure His Word above all else.
I am not saying never to read another book written by a person or even study a book written by another person. What I am saying is vet the author to make sure his/her topic is biblically based and honors God in a worthy manner. Look out for self help, psychology minded, less-than gospel oriented material. Does the author understand the entire scope history, prophecy, of the Bible or do they take scripture out of context to make their points valid? Does the author placate to cultural, societal status quo and mix the world's philosophies in with the Bible?
There are times a History book, or outside academic sources can help us understand the Bible better. Just be careful that your filter is indeed the Holy Spirit as you learn from these sources. Revisionism, half truths, inaccuracy abound in many textbooks. Always make God's word the final word when it comes to studying in this category.
Book Reviews
Some of the following books I have read in the past or have seen the mainstream christian community flock to in current time. I'll let you know all these books contain heretical teaching or egregious error, some are more subtle in their problems than others. I urge you to do a deep dive into these authors and their ministries before you submit your thinking and spiritual walk to them. I have taken the time to compile a few resources in this area. Again, never take my word for it. Study for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you in all truth. (John 16:13).
I read The Purpose Driven Life when it first rolled off the print press. I was inspired. I coupled that book with the study of Seven Habits of Highly Effectual People by Stephen Covey and was ready to take on the world. (Oh, the naivety of youth!) God had different plans and those 2 books were thwarted by what God truly wanted me to do. It involved giving up my wants and desires, taking up my cross and following Him. Imagine that!
I read the Shack when it rolled off the press and immediately knew there were serious issues but chalked it up to fiction and entertainment. I knew the error but do the lost or those baby christians who are learning to know what to look for? Oh how convicting, the thought your writing can lead people astray, the influence you can have on a community as an author in a particular genre does have consequences. (I even look at my blog in this manner. I know visitors read and I'm sure there are things in it that may be wrong... OUCH! May the Lord show me my error and I will correct!)
What I'm trying to clarify is this, God does not harm or damage our spiritual walk. He sent His son to remedy this problem. Ephesians 2:1-10. Man can have detrimental, damaging effects, get in the way, slow the progress down or downright de-rail it.
The Watchout List (Oh this List can grow but these are the ones I spent time vetting) I Timothy 4:1.
An Article about understanding error and where you and I might be in that category. Pragmatism in this arena is also error. Error should be met head on with a target to root it out entirely.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
The error just grows and grows... His mentor Peter Drucker a business management guru who influences church growth was not a Christian and the folks Warren surrounds himself with are not Christians. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Amen to list a few. A little leaven leavens the whole bunch. (Galations 5:9). Ecumenism, Universalism..etc.
Rick Warren in His own Words by Brannon Howse (I feel someone is trying to do this with my family.. if I find out it is true I hope you repent of the harm you brought to us.) Minute 51...No group consensus for me... I'll hold on to my biblical values...)
Desiring God - John Piper (video)
Heresy: Original Sin, Christian Hedonism, Replacement Theology, Liberal Philosophies
The Shack by William Young
Heresy: Trinity, False gospel
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
Heresy: New Age method's, doctrine of demons
Beth Moore
Heresy: Ecumenicism, Psychology minded gospel doctrine of demons
My Prayer:
May the Lord keep me/us from falsehood. I repent of my sin in following humans instead of the God of the Bible. To repent means to turn. I reject the false, do an about face and turn towards the true (JESUS- John 14:6). May the Lord keep me in His ways, AMEN! PSALM 86:11...
EXCELLENT VIDEO!!! So convicting! Everything the Lord has been reminding me of in my latest posts.
Another excellent video - APOSTASY in the Church
Discerning the True from the False VIDEO
The Late J Vernon McGee... VIDEO
The Mixing continues... Article
Jacob Prasch NAILS IT!!!
This video describes a good meter to apply to your church...
Seeker Sensitive and the 3 main models and why they are false
Pop Psychology in the Church
False Doctrine
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